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

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