Dr. Scott Brabrand FCPS refuses to address safey concerns at Washington Mill while Tish Howard profits from "Poverty is Not a Learning Disability""

July 7, 2010 - 2:00PM - I present the details of my previous posts to Principal Tish Howard and Fairfax County Public Schools Assistant Superintendent of Cluster Four Scott Brabrand. Having discussed my concerns with each of them separately, I follow the Assistant Superintendent's recommendation and meet with the two together. The meeting went as expected with very little consideration from Scott Brabrand of FCPS. The death threat and harassment at Washington Mill Elementary was downplayed and my concerns with Tish Howard's leadership and achievement failures were not addressed. I received the standardized thanks for the feedback from Scott Brabrand and was sent on my way.

Most noteworthy during this meeting was Dr. Tish Howard denial of multiple statements made in person and on email including “There were NO adults negligent for whatever behaviors your son incurred in the restroom and there were not two threats of shooting.” - HIGHLIGHTED BELOW... I had this email printed and the statement highlighted but when I offered it to Scott Brabrand he was not interested.


On the bathroom harassment incident, Dr. Tish Howard claimed she never knew the name of the child or children involved. I reminded her the subject line of the email ABOVE containing her denial of responsibility for the incident was the name of the only child my son was able to identify. Again Scott Brabrand was not interested.

During this meeting Tish Howard also denied making two statements in our first meeting where she belittled my concerns, but I had recorded her comments:
"What do you think this is the twilight zone?"
“You are moving to aspirin in schools”
Tish Howard's memory on these two statements was not so good but ironically she remembered and admitted to saying "I could care less about the VDOE (Virginia Department of Education)." On all of these, NO reaction from Scott Brabrand.

Throughout our first meeting Assistant Superintendent Scott Brabrand mentioned numerous times how he gets thing done. Twice exclaiming how he had removed the principal of nearby middle school Carl Sandberg after only six months. Now, one year into his appointment Scott Brabrand seems disinterested in my concerns and protective of his administrator.

I questioned how after three years of failing SOL's this principal was allowed to publish a book using the guise of success in her role at Washington Mill to profit financially. Scott Brabrand's only response was the book approval was granted before his time. Tish Howard's "Poverty is Not a Learning Disability" sold thousands of copies during her period of regular absences from Washington Mill and multiple years of failing to meet the state AYP (Virginia's Adequate Yearly Progress). The book proclaims her success during this period but the tests tell the real story.

I raised the issue of Tish Howard regularly being out of her office at the school, something I experienced during each of the incidents involving my son. This was something both current and former staff of the school voice as contributing to questionable leadership. Numerous staff members have privately confided they are best served when Tish Howard is not around and that her tone with both staff and children is often unprofessional and inappropriate. The response on this from Scott Brabrand was "That's great feedback!".

Our meeting concluded with Scott Brabrand reminding me that if I knew other parents with concerns to direct them to his office so they could be addressed. I'm not sure his office is capable of identifying or addressing issues.

Here is a list of local schools and their 2009 3rd grade SOL's from greatschools.org (Order: Math / Reading / History / Science)

Washington Mill Elementary School 63% 76% 67% 65%
Woodley Hills Elementary School 81% 81% 91% 85%
Woodlawn Elementary School 66% 66% 82% 65%
Riverside Elementary School 87% 88% 92% 84%
Fort Belvoir Elementary School 84% 83% 89% 90%
Fort Hunt Elementary School 93% 92% 94% 95%
Stratford Landing Elementary School 94% 95% 100% 97%
Mt Vernon Woods Elementary School 85% 80% 87% 79%
Waynewood Elementary School 89% 87% 91% 91%
Hollin Meadows Elementary School 85% 85% 88% 89%
Hayfield Elementary School 92% 91% 96% 95%
Hybla Valley Elementary School 88% 88% 97% 94%
Groveton Elementary School 84% 88% 93% 87%
Island Creek Elementary School 87% 91% 93% 96%
Bucknell Elementary School 70% 78% 94% 80%
Lane Elementary School 91% 92% 93% 87%
Stratford Landing Elementary School 94% 95% 100% 97%
Mt Vernon Woods Elementary School 85% 80% 87% 79%
Waynewood Elementary School 89% 87% 91% 91%
Hollin Meadows Elementary School 85% 85% 88% 89%
Hayfield Elementary School 92% 91% 96% 95%
Hybla Valley Elementary School 88% 88% 97% 94%
Groveton Elementary School 84% 88% 93% 87%


Please email me or post a comment if you have questions about anything in this post. My goal is to have death threats, harassment and bullying be taken more seriously.

Jason

After Meeting With Scott Brabrand my sons Teacher Ellen Cormier Recommends Private School And Says "This Won't End Well For You!"

May 25, 2010 – 7:30AM - Having just met with SCOTT BRABRAND FCPS Assistant Superintendent of Cluster Four, who promised to speak with Washington Mill Elementary School PRINCIPAL TISH HOWARD on my SAFETY CONCERNS, I receive a phone call from my sons teacher who THREATENS ME FOR QUESTIONING SAFETY AT THE SCHOOL.

I receive a late afternoon voicemail from Ellen Cormier, a teacher at Washington Mill Elementary under Principal Dr. Tish Howard requesting that I instruct my son to stay away from an unidentified student. She states: “I am concerned about a situation that could possibly develop”. The message was troubling as I had never heard about this child or situation until the voicemail.

I spoke with my son that night and he told me before this child joined the class, Ellen Cormier had identified her as having a history of behavioral issues. In addition, he noted since recently joining the class she had already been suspended for hitting children. This child calls my son and others, including the teacher, a “nerd” and “idiot” regularly. On this morning, during Morning Meeting she kicked him repeatedly. When he asked her to stop, she replied “No. Make me!”. When he told Ellen Cormier about this he was instructed to ignore her.

That night I send Ellen Cormier an email stating:

“I need to know more about your request for me instruct my son to stay away from this student and a situation that could possibly develop.”
“I told him to stay away but I’m not sure what exactly is going on.”
“How is this behavior accepted in the classroom and how is my son expected to ignore it?”
“Please let me know what is going on here.”

The following morning at 7:30AM I receive a call from the school. It is Ellen Cormier and she is very aggressive. Rather than explain the voicemail she immediately says: “I have told you before about your son engaging children.” I voice that I know nothing of this child or any potential problem situation that could develop. She goes into a furious rage exclaiming the student has been in trouble and she is doing her best. In addition to questioning my parenting skills the following statements are made:

“I have done everything I can”

“Why would you trust an 8 year old?”

When I mentioned him coming home with poop in his pants from the bathroom incident: “That’s ridiculous, that did not happen”

“If you are not happy with this school then you should put him in private school”

“Your son has you twisted around his finger”

“Your son has you right where he wants you”

“If you are concerned for his safety, why haven’t you taken him out of this school”

“I have seen this before and this won’t end well for you or your son”

“This will not end well for you”

My son has no record of suspension or hitting yet he blamed for this incident. Rather than address the child who hits, the school contacts me about my son “engaging” another child. When I asked if my son had ever been sent to the principal, Ellen Cormier responded “I don’t know, has he?” She refused to give me any information on the child who kicked my son, directed me to principal Tish Howard and hung up.



Please email me or post a comment if you have questions about anything in this post. My goal is to have these serious threats be taken more seriously.

Jason

My son comes home with POOP in his pants after being Harassed In the Bathroom and Tish Howard denies responsibility.

May 5, 2010 – A child stands over my son during Music and says “Bang, Bang, You’re Dead!”.

The principal, Dr. Tish Howard, is unavailable (second time during a death related threat) but the assistant principal Tim Kasik says the child is mainstream and does not remember saying it. Later I am told when Tish Howard reminded the child of the threat, the child acknowledges it occured. Tim Kasik again tells me this is a “transient threat” (second time he performs this analysis which I am unable to trust) and I have nothing to worry about. This incident while unrelated just happens to occur during school before my son comes home with poop in his pants.

My son comes home from school for the second time in two weeks and smells like poop. The first time I smell the poop and find a small amount on his boxers. I don't make a big deal of it and tell him to go to the bathroom when he feels the need. I never imagined what happens next. My father picked him up and finds poop in his pants and questions him. He explains he is afraid to go to the bathroom because boys are looking at him. On this day, he went to the bathroom in the morning and children are lining up to peek through a broken door while he is on the toilet. These children are also wetting paper towels and hitting him with them from the adjacent stall. He estimates this has happened 8-10 times recently and is able to identify only one child. My son said he was afraid to tell his teacher because she is critical of his bathroom breaks.


I went to the school the following day and again only the assistant principal, Tim Kasik was available. He thanks me for bringing the incident to their attention and lets me know a work order has been submitted to fix the door. A few emails were exchanged with his teacher, Ellen Cormier with Tish Howard copied. I brought up the continued safety concerns and let her know I explained to my son that the school had failed by allowing this to happen and it would be fixed.

Tish Howard first response to this is on email at 5:13PM the following evening. She called my statements and assumptions “erroneous and misleading”. She says “There were NO adults negligent for whatever behaviors your son incurred in the restroom and there were not two threats of shooting.” She ends her email requesting a meeting to discuss my sons “contributing and non contributing behaviors”. (In our meeting she interrupts and denies ever saying this. I tell her and Scott Brabrand that I have this email printed if they would like to see it. Scott Brabrand does not seem interested in seeing it or acknowledging her untruthful denial.)

- My son is sitting on a toilet attempting to use the restroom being peered at and pelted with wet paper towels and he’s so afraid to go to the bathroom he poops his pants and she wants to look at his contributory actions!

- In a subsequent meeting Dr. Tish Howard explains to me that this is what she calls a "teachable moment" with an I just did your son a favor attitude. (She reiterates this at our meeting with Scott Brabrand and he simply nods his head)

Please email me or post a comment if you have questions about anything in this post. My goal is to have these serious threats be taken more seriously.

Jason

Dr. Tish Howard tells me how this is just "crap spewing from an 8 year olds mouth" & “I could care less about VDOE" (Virginia Department of Education)

APRIL 5, 2010 – I meet with Dr. Tish Howard to review my safety concerns and the handling of this incident. Location: Fairfax Virginia.

On our way into her office Principal Tish Howard of Washington Mill Elementary School tells me she knows the student and this is “just crap spewing from an 8 year olds mouth”. “Kids just open their mouths and crap comes out.” During this meeting Tish Howard explained she knew the boy in question and he would never bring a gun to school. She boasted 9 out of 10 times she is right about her kids. She stated she interviewed the child and he told her the threat was of using a knife so she was not sure if she should believe my sons account. There were four other children present who heard the boy mention “guns” and Dr. Howard dismissed the threat because she knows the child and he has never been in trouble.

I took the following notes during this meeting:

-Acknowledges misstep by Tim Kasik
-Boy says he was going to stab my son
-No mention of guns in the home
-School Security
-Detention and more
-Zero-tolerence policy

What is the protocol? Training?
Handled on a case-by-case basis.
This was only the second incident this year.

How is the “transient” determination made?
She is right 90% of the time. (and what about the 10% when she is wrong?)

How many death threats per month?
Doesn’t happen all the time
It’s stupid
Routine 8 year old crap

Were other parents were notified of the threat?
No. "What do you think this is the twilight zone?" (In our next meeting, she does not remember saying this.)

Has a psych evaluation been conducted? When?
No. The counselor will meet with him. No Idea on time.

What are you doing to ensure my child’s safety?
What do you mean?
I repeat the question and she responds: “You are moving to aspirin in schools” (In our next meeting, she does not remember saying this.)

NOTEWORTHY QUOTES FROM TISH HOWARD DURING THIS MEETING

On the SOL test scores being so low:
“I could care less about the VDOE.”

On students:
Her: “Do you think any of these children will end up in jail?”
Me: “I hope not”
Her: “Well they will!”

Please email me or post a comment if you have questions about anything in this post. My goal is to have these serious threats be taken more seriously.

Jason

Don't miss the rest of the posts on WashingtonMillElementary.Blogspot.com

Principal Tish Howard, Tim Kasik fcps and Death Threats Toward My Son

This post is to share my experiences about my son who goes to Washington Mill Elementary School, threats to kill him with a gun, and his Principal, Tish Howard's weak response to this serious threat. Hopefully this post will get some results.

(This is part one of multiple posts about notes I presented to Principal Lizette (Tish) Howard and Fairfax County Assistant Superintendent of Cluster Four Scott Brabrand this afternoon. This was my second meeting with Scott and my fourth with Tish. I was given the "Great Feedback" and "Thanks for coming in" and sent on my way. Jack Dale is the SuperIntendent.)

The following incident occurred within days of three murders in the Mount Vernon area.

MARCH 25, 2010 – WASHINGTON MILL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, ALEXANDRIA, VA

A nine year old boy stated his father had twenty guns in his closet at home and he was going to bring one to school and kill my son and his friends on the playground that day. This because my son passed a ball to a boy designated to put the ball away at the end of recess, instead of him.

I receive a call from an Instructional Coach who begins: “I just want to let you know about an incident that happened today but you have nothing to worry about.” He continued, explaining a boy had threatened to shoot my son on the playground an hour before. I immediately requested to speak with principal, Dr. Tish Howard who was unavailable. I was offered the assistant principal, Tim Kasik. I received a call from Tim Kasik who stated there was no cause for concern because a “Threat Assessment” had been completed and the threat was determined to be “transient”. Tim Kasik explained, “This happens all the time and you have nothing to worry about.” I asked if the parents had been contacted and asked whether there were guns in the home and Tim Kasik did not have an answer. He checked with the Instructional Coach and I was told they had not asked the parents but would call me back. This is where my trust in the school providing a safe environment disappears.

Minutes later, I receive a call from Tim Kasik explaining the parents were on their way to the school and he would let me know more after their meeting. I asked for the name of the child and the parents contact information and was denied both. I was told he could only offer the child’s parents my phone number and ask them to call me. I called Mr. Kasik back and requested the phone number of the police officer assigned to the school. He stated he only had access to a number for school security. When I called, I was told this situation is not something they handle. With little faith in Mr. Kasik’s handling of the situation and a feeling protocols are inept or not being followed, I call the police to the school.

I met Tim Kasik to wait for the officer to arrive. While waiting he informs me the parents claim they do not have guns in the home. We review the situation with the officer and he states he can only interview the parents. I request the interview and hope there is some documentation this student has verbalized a death threat. The officer calls me after the meeting and informs me the parents stated they did not have guns in the home. He stated he was unable to get a good feel from them because he spoke to them through a translator.

Tim Kasik calls that afternoon to follow-up. I question how the school typically handles death threats and if the child be disciplined. He states it happens all the time and that there has never been a threat assessment result other than “transient”. He is unable to tell me anything about what actions will be taken with the child and he is unable to provide the child’s name or his parents contact info. He states he provided the parents with my name and phone number and they will call me.

On our last call of the day, I request disciplinary action against the child but Tim Kasik is unable to discuss what is being done with the child. He tells me going forward the school policy will include suspension of any child who threatens to kill another. I ask Tim Kasik to search the child’s bag upon entry to school the following day, the Friday before Spring Break, he tells me I will receive a call before 9:00AM the next morning.

I receive a call from Dr. Tish Howard at 9:15AM the next morning. She is on speakerphone, and informs me she has my son in her office. Without hesitation she tells me she searched the child’s backpack and that my son is safe. Not wanting this to become a concern for my son I interrupt and ask if I can return her call. She agrees. On our subsequent call I inform Dr. Howard that my son does not understand guns and I would rather him not know about these concerns.

She replies “Your son knows a lot more than you think he does.” I request a meeting to discuss school safety.

Please email me or post a comment if you have questions about anything in this post. My goal is to have these serious threats be taken more seriously.

Jason