tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post8538109554732578177..comments2024-03-28T02:21:17.452-07:00Comments on Seattle Schools Community Forum: Garfield Student Press Conference on Latest Field Trip IncidentMelissa Westbrookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17179994245880629080noreply@blogger.comBlogger50125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-30501290647545377802015-06-15T08:38:06.968-07:002015-06-15T08:38:06.968-07:00To add to Choir Member,unless the District has the...To add to Choir Member,unless the District has the proof that ALL the blame is with Burton (and, to a lesser extent, the chaperones), the DISTRICT has a real problem.<br /><br />My sources tell me that someone in the district DID know the male student came to the district because of an issue of inappropriate touching of another student at a previous school (and the student was exited from that private school).<br /><br />If the investigation shows that, then the District could have legal liability if they did not tell Garfield's principal. <br /><br />I think we will end this discussion now until further news comes forward.Melissa Westbrookhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17179994245880629080noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-21912766415055447512015-06-15T08:00:24.735-07:002015-06-15T08:00:24.735-07:00Multiple students who were witnesses, including my...Multiple students who were witnesses, including myself, have been interviewed by the administration, a district hired attorney, and NOPD. Since the incident occurred in New Orleans, it's technically their case and they have been handling it for the most part. I'm not saying that Choir Mom doesn't know a lot, because she does, however she wasn't a witness to any of the assaults that took place or the drinking so I think she's getting ahead of herself by making claims such as, "It didn't happen." <br /><br />Because unless I'm blind and the several other people in the room/trip were blind, it did happen.<br /><br />Burton is a teacher with a lot of seniority, so I think people should realize that they wouldn't be so quick to suggest firing her unless they were certain that these things happened.<br /><br />Choir Member Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-25861369566649067892015-06-15T05:18:33.346-07:002015-06-15T05:18:33.346-07:00Not "victim blaming" or shaming just poi...Not "victim blaming" or shaming just pointing out the idea of a single incident that is now a massive incident that includes a 14 year Veteran to suddenly be culpable, an adult chaperone drunk and abusive and on and on.<br /><br />Children don't like. Ask the Friedmans... again really who is "investigating" this... exactly? Columbo? <br /><br />And let's recall that when "investigations" are fully released and all testimony taken even stories that seem "real" are not. Ask Michael Brown<br /><br />Get out the broom...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-28095061326791500772015-06-14T22:04:52.278-07:002015-06-14T22:04:52.278-07:00Here's the thing - CLEARLY Choir Mom knows a l...Here's the thing - CLEARLY Choir Mom knows a lot. <br /><br />But yes, the police are aware of what has taken place and there is an investigation taking place by the authorities. <br /><br />What police? SPD or NOPD? And "authorities?" Police or the district?<br /><br />And if you know this much, I really hope that, asked or not, you went to the "authorities" and told them what you know. It serves everyone if the investigation has the fullest picture. <br /><br />Victim Blaming, there is some compelling evidence - probably to come out in the investigative report - that this student had a record of inappropriate behavior at another school. It is unlikely that was made up as well.<br />Melissa Westbrookhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17179994245880629080noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-76941027419982276592015-06-14T20:02:26.545-07:002015-06-14T20:02:26.545-07:00...and what would be the purpose of multiple choir......and what would be the purpose of multiple choir students reporting a sexual assault that will likely cause their beloved choir teacher to be fired and will risk the ability to go on future trips in the future. Also, the students basically already confirmed that some type of assault took place on the trip so unless ALL of them are lying then your insinuation is obsurd. Something happened on the trip. The details and specifics aren't clear, but I think anyone who says that this trip went 100% smoothly is either kidding themselves or suffering from a lack of common sense.<br /><br />Also, the whole "the victims are liars" reasoning is very gross and boarders on victim blaming to be honest. You know nothing about the investigation yet are insinuating that the girls MUST be lying. Right, because teenage boys NEVER misbehave and always keep their hands to themselves, right? *rolls eyes* Because teenagers would NEVER take advantage of multiple days away from their parents and do things they no they shouldn't, right?<br /><br />It's one thing to say "innocent until proven guilty", but to totally dismiss the claims of two children who have said to be sexually abused is quite concerning.<br /><br />-Vitim BlamingAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-1516083593673184502015-06-14T19:19:48.550-07:002015-06-14T19:19:48.550-07:00Well hell this story might actually top this
Sex...Well hell this story might actually top this <br /><br />Sex Scandal in PA.. well their University has a lot of experience with this too! <br /><br />http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/probe-of-pa-high-school-sex-scandal-shrouded-in-secrecy/ar-BBl6ztv<br /><br />- Get the brooms witches <br /><br />For the record I think the preciousness of children includes lying...lets remember the satanic cults of the 80s.. the McMartin trials and the couple in Texas recently released due to the "stories" of the children and the lack of actual evidence.. but hey children are just lovely and utterly honest... (Choir Mom I believe the rest of you notsomuch) Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-20547754693430958372015-06-14T19:07:28.586-07:002015-06-14T19:07:28.586-07:00Choir Member,
Whatever happened, I sincerely hope...Choir Member,<br /><br />Whatever happened, I sincerely hope he is getting help.ChoirMomnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-84088735290179036102015-06-14T17:27:27.879-07:002015-06-14T17:27:27.879-07:00*Choir Mom*
I didn't address you properly
Ch...*Choir Mom*<br /><br />I didn't address you properly<br /><br />Choir MemberAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-55682586759796622192015-06-14T17:26:14.460-07:002015-06-14T17:26:14.460-07:00Choir Member,
There's nothing I can do to &quo...Choir Member,<br />There's nothing I can do to "assist" the victim in pressing charges. It's a very personal decision for a victim of sexual assault to decide whether or not they want to step forward and pursue a case, especially when the victim is a high school student. But yes, the police are aware of what has taken place and there is an investigation taking place by the authorities. <br /><br />You can stand by your statements, but there were several witnesses that saw it occur and have admitted so in interviews. As I said before, you were likely not even on the trip, and your child was clearly not in the room when it happened so I wouldn't make such confident statements if I were you.<br /><br />Choir MemberAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-46372002761298453202015-06-14T16:57:19.430-07:002015-06-14T16:57:19.430-07:00These are the two sentences that prompted my reply...These are the two sentences that prompted my reply, Charlie, although notice I did not actually address my reply to you. Many have been asking how people know the things they know.<br /><br /><i>There are a lot of people all around this story who claim to have non-public information and either reveal it or suggest it. Presuming that the information is true and correct, how did they get it and is it appropriate for them to reveal it?</i><br /><br />I read no emotion in your previous posts. I suggest you not try to read emotion into my words, either. I am not interested in addressing any more of your questions. You will have the report soon enough. <br /><br />CHOIR MEMBER<br />I stand by my statements. If you truly believe this happened, I hope you are helping ensure that the allegations are being properly investigated by the police and assisting the alleged student victim in pursuing a case against the supposed perpetrator by providing your own sworn statements or other evidence you believe supports your assertion to authorities. But again, I stand by my statements.ChoirMomnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-24579910273924791302015-06-14T16:26:48.103-07:002015-06-14T16:26:48.103-07:00Maureen,
I don't know about "official&qu...Maureen,<br /><br />I don't know about "official" policy, but I'm almost certain that transgender students are allowed to room with people of their identified gender. There was a transgender student on the trip, and nobody had any issues with him rooming with other boys.<br /><br />Choir MemberAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-58928964803765969962015-06-14T16:24:00.849-07:002015-06-14T16:24:00.849-07:00Choir Mom certainly seems to "know" a lo...Choir Mom certainly seems to "know" a lot of things.<br /><br />"To answer to your question, "Are you saying that no chaperone sexually harassed/assaulted a student? Is that what you are saying?" Yes, Charlie, that is what I am saying. And no, I'm not giving you any further information about how I know that. You will just have to wait, along with your intrepid blog partner."<br /><br />This is completely false. I can say with absolutely certainty that inappropriate sexual contact did indeed occur between an intoxicated chaperone and an underaged student. Choir mom was likely not even on the trip and obviously did not have a child who was in the same room when the incident occurred, or else she wouldn't make such a bold, untruthful statement.<br /><br />As for the "outdated" rooming assignment, I do agree that pairing same sex student in the same hotel room is a bit laughable if the goal is to keep them from having inappropriate contact. In terms of sexual orientation and gender identity, Garfield is incredibly diverse. There were SEVERAL openly LGBTQ+ students on that trip (including one of the victims and the perpetrator) and anyone one of them could have had sexual contact with their roommates had they chosen to. However, rules are rules at the end of the day and teachers cannot just choose to only enforce the one's that they believe in. Burton had months to read over the guidelines and cancel the trip is she didn't want/believe she could follow them. She did no such thing. She took dozens of children out of the state and assumed responsibility for their safety. <br /><br />CHOIR MEMBERAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-40624607991944802442015-06-14T16:02:02.884-07:002015-06-14T16:02:02.884-07:00I'm sorry if you regard my questions as "...I'm sorry if you regard my questions as "sealioning". I certainly didn't see them that way. I did not imagine that asking how people knew the contents of a confidential report constituted online harassment of a social justice warrior.<br /><br />Moreover, I'm sorry if you think that you and I are engaged in some sort of adversarial argument here. We're not. Please review what I have written. I have limited my discussion to the critical elements of the situation. When you told me that I had my facts wrong I reviewed my sources and asked you for correction. When you corrected me - by pointing out that I should have focused on the reports of the alleged incidents rather than the alleged incidents - I acknowledged that I was in error and corrected my statements. You seem to be trying to pick a fight with me, but I'm not fighting with you. I don't know what tone you assign to me use when reading my words, but please try to read them with a lot less emotion. I have not been discourteous or disrespectful to you at all. On the contrary, when you wrote that I was "flat out wrong", I actively sought correction from you.<br /><br />I continue to be interested only in the critical questions I listed and the additional question of how the recommendation to Dr. Nyland became public knowledge. I would be grateful for some real help along those lines. Please don't doubt my sincerity; I'm trying not to doubt yours.Charlie Mashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17173903762962067277noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-64645595199525336222015-06-14T16:01:53.123-07:002015-06-14T16:01:53.123-07:00Also, let's review the whole what I wrote, wha...Also, let's review the whole what I wrote, what ChoirMom wrote about what I wrote, and what I wrote about what ChoirMom wrote confusion.<br /><br />I read this statement from the students at the press conference:<br />"<i>Because of events on a Garfield Choir trip to New Orleans, the HR Department of the Seattle School District has recommended to Superintendent Dr. Larry Nyland that Ms. Burton’s contract be terminated.</i>"<br /><br />I thought that odd. I thought it was odd that the students should know the recommendation since it had not been made public. It hasn't, has it?<br /><br /><br />So I wrote:<br />"<i>How do the students know what the Human Resources Department recommends? When was that publicly stated? With whom was that recommendation shared, and who shared it with the students?</i>"<br /><br /><br />Note that the only element of the report that I asked about was the recommendation, which was known to the students.<br /><br />ChoirMom responded:<br />"<i>Oh, and the fact that students and parents know things that might also be in the report doesn't mean there's some copy of the report being passed around nor, as a district administrator implied, that Ms. Burton has had any contact with students during her leave. She has been scrupulous about that. There are lots of ways for people to know things.</i>"<br /><br />I found this a curious statement. Of course I never suggested that a copy of the report is being passed around - that was not my invention - nor did I suggest that Ms Burton has spoken with the students - that was not my invention either.<br /><br />Curious about the claim that "There are lots of ways for people to know" what's in the report, I asked about those ways:<br /><br />"<i>Oh, and what are the many ways that people can know what the investigator recommended and what is in the investigator's report.</i>"<br /><br />Again, note that the only element of the report that I referenced was the recommendation.<br /><br /><br />To which ChoirMom offered only this cryptic reply:<br />"I'm sure you would. Since that is not what I said, there's no reason for me to answer your question. And I'm not doing the work for you this time, other than to point you in the same direction as before: read what was written."<br /><br /><br />I did read what was written. I read that the students claimed to know the recommendation to Dr. Nyland which, so far as I can tell, was never made public. It is not part of the written record. It is not in the press release. It is not in any of the media reports. What should I read, ChoirMom, that will tell me what the investigator recommended? What are the many ways that people can know about the recommendation in the investigator's report? I remain ignorant of them. You clearly know them. Please share your information.<br /><br />There are, of course, any number of other elements of the report that would be known to the students. They would know, of course, about their own interviews. Those elements of the report were never a part of the discussion. The only element of the report that I'm curious about is how the recommendation became public.<br /><br />Charlie Mashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17173903762962067277noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-74577426423138130252015-06-14T15:08:19.356-07:002015-06-14T15:08:19.356-07:00Thank you, ChoirMom for the corrections. I will re...Thank you, ChoirMom for the corrections. I will re-state my four facts:<br /><br />The District has stated that their investigation reached four conclusions:<br />1) In violation of the rules, a boy was in hotel room reserved for girls.<br />2) There were reports that the boy sexually harassed/assaulted two girls.<br />3) In violation of the rules, chaperones consumed alcohol.<br />4) There was a report that a chaperone sexually harassed/assaulted a student.<br /><br />It does not change the list of the only really critical questions:<br />1) Did Ms Burton or any other adult in authority allow the boy to be the girls hotel room?<br />2) Did Ms Burton handle the reports of the boy's two sexual harassment/assault incidents in accordance with the sexual harassment policy and procedure?<br />3) Did Ms Burton allow the chaperones to consume alcohol?<br />4) Did Ms Burton consume alcohol?<br />5) Did Ms Burton handle the report of the chaperone's sexual harassment/assault incident in accordance with the sexual harassment policy and procedure?<br />6) What is the prescribed consequence for any of these violations?<br /><br />Again, thank you for the corrections. I believe that I am now flat out right.<br /><br />So, ChoirMom. You have a lot of information. Can you answer any of the critical questions?Charlie Mashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17173903762962067277noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-72386850543293041252015-06-14T13:28:20.274-07:002015-06-14T13:28:20.274-07:00Eric, I think that's probably somewhere in the...Eric, I think that's probably somewhere in the district policies for lead teachers. It may be something that we as parent chaperones don't see. I can ask. <br /><br />But yes, you can only say, "That's against the policies" but you can't send them home. (Maybe you notify the principal/Ex Dir.) Melissa Westbrookhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17179994245880629080noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-27972684097949933592015-06-14T12:26:14.975-07:002015-06-14T12:26:14.975-07:00One thing that occurred to me over the weekend--wh...One thing that occurred to me over the weekend--what exactly is a teacher supposed to do if a chaperone misbehaves? We keep telling our kids that we can only control what we do, and not what others do. Let's go hypothetical and say that a chaperone gets drunk on the first night of a field trip. The teacher sees this and tells them that they have to stop, and not to have contact with the kids until they are sober. What should the teacher do if the chaperone doesn't follow the rules the next night? What if the chaperone says that of course it's OK for students to be in the opposite gender's hotel room as long as it's during the day? Kids can get sent home, but if there are a minimum number of chaperones, you can't send them home early. <br /><br />This puts teachers in a rather awful bind, especially if they are going on a trip with chaperones they don't know and trust. <br /><br />I'm not speculating about what happened here, just asking about the right thing to do. Eric Bnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-22339210745903727912015-06-14T12:03:12.238-07:002015-06-14T12:03:12.238-07:00Wow. I am never, EVER taking students on an overni...Wow. I am never, EVER taking students on an overnight field trip. Sorry, kids. <br /><br />(And this is astonishing, but the captcha for me was "5150".)Josh Hayeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17242600011474990770noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-82190114395550957442015-06-14T09:32:59.773-07:002015-06-14T09:32:59.773-07:00Charlie, I'll just note a couple of things.
1...Charlie, I'll just note a couple of things.<br /><br />1) you forgot to use "alleged" and you should have but it doesn't truly negate your statements<br />2) apparently not all your statements were incorrect because they weren't all refuted so good on you<br />3) sea-lioning - didn't know that one so I guessed we learned something today (except I don't think it applies in this case because we are actually discussing...a case)<br /><br />Lastly, interesting how people seem to make an issue personal. Almost like trying to divert from the real issues. <br /><br />Moving on.Melissa Westbrookhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17179994245880629080noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-986992631741834712015-06-13T22:10:23.552-07:002015-06-13T22:10:23.552-07:00(Continued from previous)
Did the district state ...(Continued from previous)<br /><br />Did the district state "the investigation found that a chaperone engaged in inappropriate contact with a student?" No, they stated that a chaperone was <b>alleged</b> to have engaged in inappropriate contact with a student. You claim as fact that the district stated their investigation reached the conclusion that <b> "A chaperone sexually harassed/assaulted a student."</b> (I note also that the district never used the words "sexually harassed/assaulted" -- those were your words that you put in the district's mouth.) Yet again, the absence of that critical word, "alleged." <br /><br />To answer to your question, "Are you saying that no chaperone sexually harassed/assaulted a student? Is that what you are saying?" Yes, Charlie, that is what I am saying. And no, I'm not giving you any further information about how I know that. You will just have to wait, along with your intrepid blog partner.<br /><br />Also, Charlie,<br /><i>Oh, and what are the many ways that people can know what the investigator recommended and what is in the investigator's report. I'd like to hear that as well.</i><br /><br />I'm sure you would. Since that is not what I said, there's no reason for me to answer your question. And I'm not doing the work for you this time, other than to point you in the same direction as before: read what was written. <br /><br /><i>I'm feeling pretty secure in my four statements of fact, but I'm waiting to hear from ChoirMom how I got them wrong.</i><br /><br />And now you have. And I'm officially tired of responding to sea-lioning behavior.ChoirMomnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-75539686727350449102015-06-13T22:03:38.897-07:002015-06-13T22:03:38.897-07:00Charlie,
Help me out here, ChoirMom.
OK
Where is...Charlie,<br /><i>Help me out here, ChoirMom.</i><br /><br />OK<br /><br /><i>Where is their statement? The District web site is so messed up right now that I can't find their statement. Could you please provide a link to it so we can see what the District actually said and see how I was flat out wrong.</i><br /><br />Sure, here is the link -- just scroll about 1/3 of the way down through Melissa's previous post on this subject, to the line which begins "SPS Communications" and then read what appears to be a direct copy-and-paste by Melissa of the district's press release. http://saveseattleschools.blogspot.com/2015/06/garfield-new-orleans-field-trip-issue.html<br /><br />Now, I note that I should not have to actually do the work of comparing what you stated as fact and what the district actually said. But I'll go ahead and spoon feed you just this once. <br /><br /><b>You</b> said:<br /><i><b>The District has stated that their investigation reached four conclusions</b>:<br />1) In violation of the rules, a boy was in hotel room reserved for girls.<br />2) <b>The boy sexually harassed/assaulted two girls.</b><br />3) In violation of the rules, chaperones consumed alcohol.<br />4)<b> A chaperone sexually harassed/assaulted a student.</b></i><br /><br /><b>The district </b>said:<br /><i><b>The investigation found that policies, procedures, and protocols were violated by staff and chaperones.</b></i> That is the only sentence in their press release that describes an actual conclusion reached by the investigator. That's important, keep it in mind. <br /><br />The next part says:<br /><i>During this field trip <b>a male student is alleged to have groped two female students</b> at night in a New Orleans hotel room and on a bus, students observed their teacher and chaperones drinking alcohol, a teacher and chaperones drank alcohol at night on other occasions, a chaperone was visibly incapacitated and had to be helped back to their hotel room one night, and <b>a chaperone was alleged to have engaged in inappropriate contact with a student</b> while under the influence of alcohol. </i><br /><br />Did the district state "the investigation found that a male student groped two female students?" No, they stated that a male student was <b>alleged</b> to have groped two female students. You claim that the district stated that the boy DID grope the girls.<br />To answer your question:<br /><i>Which of my facts (sic) was wrong? <br />Are you saying that the boy did not sexually harass/assault two girls? Is that what you are saying?</i><br /><br />I'm saying the district said no such thing, and I am saying no such thing. The district and I are both saying that the boy <b>allegedly</b> sexually harassed/assaulted two girls. I'm surprised that someone as thorough as you present yourself to be would leave out the very important word "alleged." I'm also surprised that you think it's the district's role to investigate the crime of sexual harassment/assault. Haven't you harped on this in the past? <br /><br />(cont'd)ChoirMomnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-87804803495324476772015-06-13T20:41:04.248-07:002015-06-13T20:41:04.248-07:00Melissa
Well considering the students were in fron...Melissa<br /><i>Well considering the students were in front of me so I could gauge their reactions (which I would suppose was one of the reasons for the press conference so the public could see their sincerity in the matter), that makes sense. People standing to the side of me watching me and not them? Creepy.</i><br /><br />Really? I must have missed when anyone here stated that they stood to the side of you and watched you instead of the students. Oh, right, no one said that. That only happened inside your mind. <br /><br />PSA: when at a press conference at which Melissa is also present, do not look at her before, during, or after speakers make their statements. You are required to only look directly at those who called the press conference. If you so much as notice she is there, or realize that she has asked a question, or observe -- even for a nanosecond, even with your peripheral vision -- any reaction she has to the speakers, whether it is a facial expression, body language, verbal statement, eye rolling, sharp intake of breath, or any other action emanating from her person, you are being a creep. <br /><br /><i>But see you hide behind your "ChoirMom" name. If you really think you know all the details, do tell us who you are and why you know them. Because really your moniker right now means nothing.</i> <br /><br />I thought you believed in the importance of anonymity on this blog. In fact, here's something you wrote previously:<br /><br /><i>I have heard, more than a couple times now, of some dissatisfaction with the building leadership at Whittier.<br /><br />Would anyone with first-hand knowledge care to share what this is all about?<br /><br />Those who want anonymity can either use an invented alias as their user name or send me an email and I will re-post it.<br /><br />I just want to know what the deal is.</i> http://saveseattleschools.blogspot.com/2009/04/whats-going-on-at-whittier.html<br /><br />So in that instance you invited people with first-hand knowledge to share, and encouraged them to do so using an invented alias as their user name. And yet here I am, trying to give you first hand knowledge about this issue, and using an alias for reasons I owe you no explanation for, and you are accusing me of hiding behind my moniker, goading me to reveal myself to you, and implying that I may not be who I am representing myself to be: a parent of a student in the choir. Interesting. <br /><br />Had you stuck around for any length of time after the press conference, I'd have introduced myself to you.ChoirMomnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-45469752750160131242015-06-13T20:18:36.696-07:002015-06-13T20:18:36.696-07:00Sub --
No, I didn't mean to imply that you p...Sub -- <br /><br />No, I didn't mean to imply that you personally had or would cast aspersions on the sub or anyone else, not at all. But there are frequent posters in this thread and the other posts on this subject who have no problem jumping to conclusions and speculating wildly (and sometimes irresponsibly) when given just the tiniest opportunity. <br /><br />Melissa seemed to imply the students' statement of having had to teach their own classes (and who would know better than those in the classroom every single day?) was something she felt she needed to verify with the district. You clearly were offering in good faith an informed insight into a possible explanation. It's just that your answer, while an entirely plausible explanation, isn't what happened. I wanted to clarify because Melissa seemed inclined to accept your answer as the likely explanation without questioning whether it was actually what happened. <br /><br />While it's not unreasonable to assume that students primarily led classes in the time before the long-term sub was assigned, or on days when the sub wasn't available, those assumptions are wrong. There was a period of around a week+ without a music sub until the long-term sub came in and as far as I know the sub missed no days, so students have had about nine solid weeks with the same fully-qualified (post-grad degree in music ed) sub. During those nine weeks, students continued to regularly (as in on an almost daily basis for some classes) take the lead in teaching their peers. People are free to wonder why, but it's clear that trying to give any sort of explanation will just fuel wild speculation. All anyone not directly involved needs to know at this point is that the students were speaking the truth, without exaggeration. ChoirMomnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-61994087983819587862015-06-13T19:58:05.837-07:002015-06-13T19:58:05.837-07:00At this point, I am most concerned with the drinki...At this point, I am most concerned with the drinking by chaperones and Ms. Burton which shows poor judgment and disregard for district policies. It is hard to control the behavior of teenagers and to always protect them from harm, but adults should be able to follow the rules, exhibit common sense, and serve as role models. -NP Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-12017308270105356792015-06-13T19:07:32.325-07:002015-06-13T19:07:32.325-07:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com