tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post3201829728949480812..comments2024-03-28T02:21:17.452-07:00Comments on Seattle Schools Community Forum: Something Horrible Under Every RockMelissa Westbrookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17179994245880629080noreply@blogger.comBlogger55125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-73330117667166462382014-07-30T21:03:09.484-07:002014-07-30T21:03:09.484-07:00GEM--you wrote that the school principal should pr...GEM--you wrote that the school principal should protect the kids. That's what the policies say: the principal is responsible for the safety of the students even on field trips.<br /><br />Ted Howard failed and tried to cover up. In addition to failing to protect students, Howard has fostered a culture of sexual violence when he failed to give equal consideration to a report of rape and take the required steps. That's the chief reason the creator of the petition wants a new principal. <br /><br />The originator of the petition is a third generation Garfield graduate and was class president for three years in a row. She is ashamed of her school, and rightly so. She needs at least 500 signatures ASAP to take it to the school board. <br /><br />The FamilyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-88850295256191346882014-07-30T20:47:07.161-07:002014-07-30T20:47:07.161-07:00Mary Griffin,
Thank you for acknowledging the imp...Mary Griffin,<br /><br />Thank you for acknowledging the importance of educating families about Title IX at the high school level. Families of younger students need this information too. That argument is spelled out int he OCR complaint posted on the family's FB site: stopsexassaulinhighschool. Mary, and others, if you'd like to help our small group of activists who plan to form a non-profit to advance this important cause, please contact us through the website or at stopsexualassaultinhighschool@comcast.net<br /><br />There's room for everyone's talents, anytime, in the fall? In the winter? This is a long, sustained effort.<br /><br />Ms. MillerAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-62576159040653187362014-07-30T19:30:04.835-07:002014-07-30T19:30:04.835-07:00Charles Mas,
"The rules for chaperones have ...Charles Mas,<br /><br />"The rules for chaperones have been changed since then. There was a response."<br /><br />When a district has rules but doesn't follow them, what is the use of new rules? The old rules would have sufficed if they were followed. What is the good of new rules if they aren't followed and enforced. As you say, enforcement is critical. Unfortunately we had to call in the Feds to police the District for failing to implement Title IX and undertake a national media campaign (with the help of dedicated activists like yourselves) but what are the consequences when district and state laws are ignored?<br /><br /><br />The MotherAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-91193532420378421872014-07-30T15:20:29.725-07:002014-07-30T15:20:29.725-07:00I have a couple updates to report.
First, I heard...I have a couple updates to report.<br /><br />First, I heard back from one of the three people in HR who were assigned the task of revising the Sexual Harassment policy and procedure. He said that they are in the process of reviewing the policy and that they have asked for extension of the deadline due to a scheduling conflict. He says that he's sure they will be bringing the policy forward for review in the near future.<br /><br />I'm not sure what any of that means. I've sent him a follow up email seeking clarification.<br /><br />I got an absolutely brilliant response from the internal auditor, Andrew Medina, about the Corrective Action tracking tool. Really, I cannot give him enough credit for his prompt and thorough response.<br /><br />The tool, it turns out, is pretty new. It was first shown to the Board in March. He notes that the log only shows the outstanding tasks, so it always looks like nobody is getting anything done. He noted that while Mr. Apostle had six items outstanding on the June 2014 log, that was actually a big improvement over the March 2014 log when he had 17 outstanding items. He also clarified the meaning of the log entries for me. While the date for expected completion may be amended (with the old date remaining but lined out), those don't imply an extension in the due date. The due date may or may not be revised. Most of Mr. Apostle's tasks have 3/13 or 6/13 due dates. He has not been granted extensions from the Board - he's overdue.<br /><br />So all that's missing, I guess, is the accountability.Charlie Mashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17173903762962067277noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-1879385170035434632014-07-29T13:28:52.623-07:002014-07-29T13:28:52.623-07:00Charlie, you and Emily's family are doing a gr...Charlie, you and Emily's family are doing a great job bringing attention to this issue. But I think the emphasis on the issue that that the family is making on its facebook page is the most important issue: the fact that there is no awareness of how Title IX applies to high schools. <br /><br />Even a student advocacy driven website which is now in the nation news, "Know Your Title IX", <a href="http://knowyourix.org/" rel="nofollow"> http://knowyourix.org/</a> contains no references to applicability to high school. I think you and Emily's family need to tap into the strength of these types of groups to get action on this issue at the national level. <br /><br />I think that speaking out on a national level could be very powerful and ultimately aid healing for "Emily" and others.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03542105149501352547noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-69301576428561589072014-07-29T13:27:41.013-07:002014-07-29T13:27:41.013-07:00This comment has been removed by the author.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03542105149501352547noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-33464917261020531312014-07-29T11:20:58.297-07:002014-07-29T11:20:58.297-07:00I understand that there are a lot of folks who are...I understand that there are a lot of folks who are dissatisfied with the chaperones' performance. I am, too.<br /><br />But the bigger issues, such as the Title IX complaint, is not about what happened that night, but about what happened (or didn't happen) in response to that night's events.<br /><br />The rules for chaperones have been changed since then. There was a response.<br /><br />But there still hasn't been a response to the failures among the management and executive class staff. They need to be held accountable and their rules need to change as well.Charlie Mashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17173903762962067277noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-33636471790933243012014-07-29T09:01:48.329-07:002014-07-29T09:01:48.329-07:00Also, the chaperones were set up to fail. There w...Also, the chaperones were set up to fail. There were not enough.<br /><br />GEMAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-19458442867239931752014-07-29T08:57:49.338-07:002014-07-29T08:57:49.338-07:00Education Watch, I agree with you. It is absolute...Education Watch, I agree with you. It is absolutely the district's job to screen and train chaperones. The district failed here 100 percent. The school administration also failed. Even if the district isn't doing a good job, the school principal should care about protecting his kids. <br /><br />GEMAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-78860496741763912662014-07-29T08:43:23.499-07:002014-07-29T08:43:23.499-07:00Truly Horrified: About Witnesses
More horrifyin...<br />Truly Horrified: About Witnesses <br /><br />More horrifying: the District didn't include information from a girl's mother in its investigation. That’s because in this case, the District discounts information provided by women. <br /><br />This is one example of the gender based discrimination that has informed the assault from the minute Principal Ted Howard dismissed the report of rape ("We can't have any allegations here," he told Dad) but privileged the assailant's tale of "alleged" consensual sex.<br /><br />The morning after the rape, a mother reported to a Garfield teacher that her daughter witnessed a rape. The teacher reported to Principal Ted Howard. The email appears below from a public records request.<br /> <br />Next, the assailant's long time friend said he saw consensual sex. The Parks Service investigation report says he told the assailant "I have your back." Clueless but transparent. It's unclear that he was even in the room when the information is analyzed from investigations 6 month apart. That's why Title IX requires a prompt and equitable investigation.<br /><br />The District turns a blind eye on the mother's report to the school, including medical reports, the assailant's FB posts, his prior disciplinary history, the victim's account authenticated by her therapist, and the assailant's own testimony that he was told to stop multiple times. That's rape, but the District privileges his tale. He’s more important to the athletic department. The female is devalued (no disciplinary record, completed 4x her community service requirement before 10th grade and accomplished musician.)<br /><br />Gender based discrimination. Girls are the most vulnerable in a District that fosters a culture of sexual violence.<br /><br />From: Samar, Serena L<br />To: Howard II, Theodore<br />Cc: Lee, Lenora<br />Subject: Per your request<br />Date: Wednesday, November 14, 2012 9:05:04 AM<br />On Thursday, November 8, 2012 at 7:21 a.m. I arrived outside the main office where I was parking my bike. Ms. Moore caught my eye and approached me.<br /><br />Ms. Moore stated there was an incident on the Ecology field trip and she took [redacted] home last night and she was very upset as was her Mom. I stated that [redacted] is naturally dramatic. Ms. Moore said, no this is a little more serious. I asked if everything was ok. She told me that there was an incident on the field trip where [redacted] witnessed a rape. She was in the top bunk. She also stated that it is still under investigation.<br /><br /><br />I thanked her for telling me about the incident. I also asked about another student on the field trip that is a male and on my caseload. She asked for his name. I replied with [redacted] . She shook <br />her head “no” that he wasn’t mentioned in the allegations.<br />Serena Samar<br />Case Manager<br />Language Arts Teacher<br />Garfield High School<br />slsamar@seattleschools.org<br /><br /><br />By the time the eyewitness and assailant were interviewed 6 months after the rape, their stories changed from their initial stories to the National Parks Service. They had months to refine their stories before the District conducted its investigation. <br /><br />The District has the most important extracts from the National Parks Service investigation including the assailant's testimony and the eyewitness. Because it's redacted, it could likely be available through a public records request.<br /><br />Re: the District's errors and omissions in its investigation, request the parents' Oct. 18, 2013 response to the investigation report. The response provides an analysis of the available information. This information, and much more, was never incorporated into the District's final report. <br /><br />--The Family<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-35258652058132575762014-07-29T08:32:24.193-07:002014-07-29T08:32:24.193-07:00I find the focus on blaming the chaperones (in som...I find the focus on blaming the chaperones (in some of the comments here and in the Stranger article) to be annoying, short-sighted, and very much playing into the district's hands. <br /><br />It does sound like the chaperones were completely unprepared and incompetent. But chaperones are unpaid volunteers.* It is the responsibility of the school district to properly screen, train and prepare volunteers. At my school district (near SPS) everyone who chaperones field trips is given additional information and training by supervisors in the school building. It sounds like that didn't happen at all - yet another example of SPS's culture of lawlessness. Blaming volunteer chaperones, rather than the people who are paid to ensure training & compliance with district regulations, is exactly what SPS would love for you to do. Once again they can blame someone else (yes, it was the fault of the parents who attended who didn't know how to watch large groups of kids!) rather than their own training and oversight. <br /><br /><br />*Yes, teachers are paid, but they aren't paid additional money to attend field trips. They give up their evenings and weekends to attend field trips because they believe it's best for kids, not because it's part of their job description.<br /><br />-Education WatchAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-17693822864384924912014-07-29T06:26:16.799-07:002014-07-29T06:26:16.799-07:00Visit the Naturebridge site and you'll learn t...Visit the Naturebridge site and you'll learn that the cabins have rooms within them. A cabin might have half a dozen rooms with sleeping space for 4-6 people in each.<br /><br />I haven't read anything about there being anyone else in the room - in the cabin, yes, but not in the room.<br /><br />So the question becomes, would proper supervision require opening the room doors within the cabin?Charlie Mashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17173903762962067277noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-12605274774222756062014-07-28T21:47:43.862-07:002014-07-28T21:47:43.862-07:00Truly Anon ... I've got to confess, the situat...Truly Anon ... I've got to confess, the situation raises questions about the other students who were witnesses. I know that nobody could have shut me up. No is NO. Where are the witnesses. I hope they don't have the moral and civil rights vacuousness of the District here. <br /><br />Truly horrifiedAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-14673596848541507092014-07-28T21:28:58.445-07:002014-07-28T21:28:58.445-07:00Gen Ed Mom--
True. The male chaperone had no idea...Gen Ed Mom--<br /><br />True. The male chaperone had no idea how to chaperone teenagers; as you mentioned, he applied adult standards to teenagers. Excerpt from District's report:<br /><br />After the female Students left, Mr. Ward went to his room. He kept the door open and allowed the male Students to settle down. Mr. Ward then left his room and announced, “All right! I’m going to bed. Be respectful of your peers.” He then went to his room, shut the door, donned some earplugs, and went to sleep.<br /><br />At approximately 10:30 to 10:45 PM, loud voices and lots of activity woke up Mr. Ward. He stepped into the hallway and saw some male Students wrestling. Mr. Ward checked the male Students’ rooms and did not see any female Students. He then announced, “Guys, seriously, it’s getting late and you need to be respectful of your peers. I can’t keep you from staying up. But, go to your rooms and be responsible and quiet.” One of the Students answered, “All right, Saint Nick!” Mr. Ward then returned to his room and went to sleep.<br /><br />At 12:00 AM, loud voices woke Mr. Ward a second time. This time, he went into the room where Student 2 was assigned to sleep. Mr. Ward, who did not see any female Student, then announced, “All right. Last chance. Lights out.” A male Student answered, “All right. Sorry.” Mr. Ward then returned to his room and went to sleep.--excerpt from District's report<br /><br /><br />Last chance before what? Before the kids texted to leave the cabins! Before what consequences? Surely if the two teachers off in distant cabins by choice were close by to flunk their students, the kids might have obeyed the rules. <br /> <br />Mrs Miller: A sole chaperone can not provide the mandatory bed checks. Had the two teachers who organized the trip elected to sleep in the area of the students, there would have been 5 chaperones to share a night watch. As it was, only one of the 3 chaperones who watched the students was authorized/background checked to be on the trip. Therefore one authorized chaperone for 27 students. Not only is that a poor ratio, but none of the 5 chaperones on the trip (including the 3 staff teachers) had ever read the chaperone rules.<br /><br />These are the facts from the District's own documents. <br /><br />MMAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-24613253657221437922014-07-28T21:03:42.387-07:002014-07-28T21:03:42.387-07:00"The boy is no longer a student at Garfield. ...<br />"The boy is no longer a student at Garfield. The students on the field trip were members of the class of 2013 and 2014."<br /><br />How can this be? He's in the class of 2015<br /><br /><br />It's hard to know who is more morally depraved--the rapist or the school administration. <br /><br />Mrs. MillerAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-70156324214093100642014-07-28T20:44:17.117-07:002014-07-28T20:44:17.117-07:00Truly Anonymous,
Perfectly stated. Visit the fam...Truly Anonymous,<br /><br />Perfectly stated. Visit the family's website if you and others would like to support this through some type of action.<br /><br />Miriam<br /><br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-40846732138438302422014-07-28T18:24:16.719-07:002014-07-28T18:24:16.719-07:00The story rings so true as told by "Emily&quo...The story rings so true as told by "Emily" that I wonder if there were any women in the group of FBI or National Parks Dept. who determined that the evidence couldn't bring a conviction. Common sense says that if it was consensual, it wouldn't have been anal sex. The proof at the hospital showed rape. Who at the FBI or Parks Dept. knows more about rape than the rape specialist at the hospital? Although she entered his cabin voluntarily the final result was sexual violence. The boys who were in the cabin should step up and tell their story to the Title IX investigator or the Civil Rights investigator when the investigation starts. The friend of the perpetrator who said she was moaning sounds like a guy who would say anything for a buddy. I think it is all misogynistic.<br />Truly Anonymous<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-7124161073288414992014-07-28T15:14:02.624-07:002014-07-28T15:14:02.624-07:00Melissa - thank you for your continued outrage and...Melissa - thank you for your continued outrage and perseverance flipping over those rocks. This story brought back so many memories of my experiences three years at Lowell. Ignorance of procedures, failure to follow procedures, unwillingness to listen to facts and discern the truth... But this is so much worse. It was difficult as an adult dealing with an employment issue - I can't imagine what it must be like for this young woman and her family fighting the district over issues of safety and physical and mental health. One thing I do know is that my fight - and most likely this family's - would have been much more difficult without your blog. You have my utmost respect and appreciation and the Miller family has my sympathy. I am hoping the situation turns around for them<br /><br />JenniferAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-19616262932576530652014-07-28T10:54:44.937-07:002014-07-28T10:54:44.937-07:00Just tryin' to protect this blog. After the c...Just tryin' to protect this blog. After the complete nonsense of the lawsuit against me, you could understand why I might be careful.<br />Melissa Westbrookhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17179994245880629080noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-55310302071610822342014-07-28T10:33:07.506-07:002014-07-28T10:33:07.506-07:00In order to bring an action against anyone for say...In order to bring an action against anyone for saying "rape" instead of "alleged rape" the boy would have to come forward and identify himself.<br /><br />Pretty darn unlikely.Charlie Mashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17173903762962067277noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-61422555811231070922014-07-28T09:16:14.006-07:002014-07-28T09:16:14.006-07:00@Melissa,
If we are talking about rape, then the...@Melissa, <br /><br />If we are talking about rape, then there is a rapist. If we are talking about alleged rape, then we are talking about an alleged rapist. <br /><br />No one person has been named as a rapist. So I think as long as we are talking about rape, then we are talking about a rapist. <br /><br />I have no problem talking about alleged rape, but if I were a family member, I would have a difficult time doing so. <br /><br />The fact that no one has been charged or found guilty does not change the circumstances of what the family claims happened to "Emily." <br /><br />If you came home one day to find your house burglarized, you would not tell people an alleged burglar had been in your home and that you had been allegedly burglarized, nor would I go telling people you were allegedly burglarized, although if I were a journalist or an insurance adjuster, that is how I would report it. <br /><br />So to summarize my roundabout post, I think it is fine for those who are family and friends of the family them to use the words rape and rapist. I can't see it happening any other way. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03542105149501352547noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-14569309804957720282014-07-28T09:09:31.832-07:002014-07-28T09:09:31.832-07:00Grown Up, I can only tell you that NO one is sayin...Grown Up, I can only tell you that NO one is saying all the adults involved are bad people. No one. And Garfield is not on trial here. I'm supposing this might have happened at any school. (That said, the hazing has to go and that IS particular to Garfield.)<br /><br />They may have been given little to no instruction on their duties and what that would look like. But they were the grown-ups (just like you) and they could have used a lot better judgment.<br /><br /> I thought of contacting these teachers and the vice-principal (as can anyone else). You know what they'll say? No comment. They are not going to talk to anyone under advice of counsel. <br /><br />"Consensual sex with minors is very big grey area"<br /><br />Somewhat. Some states would call it (do call it) statutory rape.<br /><br />I don't think anyone is calling for lawsuits by the family; that is their personal call.<br /><br />But there are certainly other people who - if not checked - might find themselves in court.Melissa Westbrookhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17179994245880629080noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-29100728655523073042014-07-28T09:03:56.219-07:002014-07-28T09:03:56.219-07:00@Annonymous post @8:23,
I have little sympathy f...@Annonymous post @8:23, <br /><br />I have little sympathy for adult rapists. But I do know this: A fourteen year old boy is a fourteen-year old boy. The fact that the brother of the boy is a rapist does not indicate guilt. The fact that he was convicted indictes guilt. <br /><br />But getting beyond that, the fact that a fourteen year-old beat and raped a young girl and that he had a brother who was a rapist is telling you more about the pathologies in that family. It is likely that that the fourteen year old boy suffered the same fate as the little girl as well as Emily. None of this stuff happens in a vacuum. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03542105149501352547noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-53267714491247139412014-07-28T08:23:50.262-07:002014-07-28T08:23:50.262-07:00@grown up -
That 14 year old Kent boy was a 230 po...@grown up -<br />That 14 year old Kent boy was a 230 pound man who is the brother of a convicted rapist. That little 8 year old girl never stood a chance. Many people are trying to make sure that that little girl and the "Emily's " of the world get a chance.<br />RRAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-19157902162145116042014-07-28T08:12:38.731-07:002014-07-28T08:12:38.731-07:00@A Grown Up,
I'm not entirely sure what it is...@A Grown Up,<br /><br />I'm not entirely sure what it is that you're trying to say. Your comment is a basket of self-contradiction, but I feel you deserve a response.<br /><br />I don't believe that some people are good and some people are bad. I do, however, believe that people sometimes do good things and sometimes do bad things. I don't hesitate to distinguish the two types of actions. Moreover, I believe that people sometimes do their jobs well and sometimes do their jobs poorly. And, again, we can distinguish between high and low quality work.<br /><br />So I don't pass judgement on people - that's far beyond my role, but I can and will judge the morality of actions and quality of work product. A grown up should be able to see the distinction between "You did a bad job." and "You are a bad person."<br /><br />So I have no trouble respecting and admiring some of the things that happen at Garfield and deploring some of the other things that happen at Garfield. It's not a contradiction at all because this isn't a comic book where the villains are all bad and only do bad things and the heroes are all good and only do good things. Moreover, Garfield is a big school with lots of different people who all act independently.<br /><br />As far as lawsuits go, an attorney is taking the family's case on a contingency basis. The lawyer will only charge fees if they win.<br /><br />The boy is no longer a student at Garfield. The students on the field trip were members of the class of 2013 and 2014.<br /><br />I have not addressed all of your points but, honestly, I couldn't understand your point for most of your comment. If you could clarify any that I missed I will be happy to address them.<br /><br />The teachers who were the chaperones on the trip may be wonderful teachers, but they screwed up those nights. They screwed up and a 15-year-old girl paid the price. Are we supposed to ignore the failure because they are good teachers the rest of the time? Is that how it works? How many good jobs do you have to do to get a free pass on a bad job? What's the correct ratio?<br /><br />Or can we say "good job" about the things they do well and "bad job" when they screw up?Charlie Mashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17173903762962067277noreply@blogger.com