Aug 8, 2017, WBAY TV, Green Bay, WI: Target 2: Emails detail problems, efforts for solutions at Washington Middle School http://www.wbay.com/content/news/Target-2-Emails-detail-problems-efforts-for-solutions-at-Washington-Middle-School-439301143.html Target 2 Investigates has been working to get more answers about the violence and behavior issues at Green Bay's Washington Middle School. Tuesday, the school district released hundreds of pertinent emails to Action 2 News through open records requests. The emails show conversations between school staff and even concerned parents. The east-side school's problems made headlines in June after teacher Kerstin Westcott resigned at a school board meeting. She detailed incidents of abuse, violence and safety concerns at the school. Since then, the district says it ramped up ongoing efforts to craft a workable solution for the upcoming school year…. MAY 2017: In May, a chain of emails started between Washington Middle School teacher Kerstin Westcott and school board member Ed Dorff. Wescott states in her email, "It's been a difficult road for our school these past few years.” She highlights the physical and verbal violence and threats against teachers from what she has witnessed. … Action 2 News found Westcott's resignation emboldened other teachers to step forward. OTHER STAFF EMAILS: An email by a staff member to Principal Christensen said in part: “I feel we are at this point because we did not tell the truth for many years out of fear that it was a reflection on us. It isn't."
Childhood Lost
Children today are noticeably different from previous generations, and the proof is in the news coverage we see every day. This site shows you what’s happening in schools around the world. Children are increasingly disabled and chronically ill, and the education system has to accommodate them. Things we've long associated with autism, like sensory issues, repetitive behaviors, anxiety and lack of social skills, are now problems affecting mainstream students. Blame is predictably placed on bad parenting (otherwise known as trauma from home).
Addressing mental health needs is as important as academics for modern educators. This is an unrecognized disaster. The stories here are about children who can’t learn or behave like children have always been expected to. What childhood has become is a chilling portent for the future of mankind.