[RP TownTalk] middle school

Wed Jun 13 23:37:04 UTC 2018

Hi Audrey,

I've put the text of a letter from the principal of William Wirt that was
sent home with the students today at the end of this message.

It mentions a working group to address the issue, and representatives of
our police department will be part of that working group.

We all share the goal of William Wirt being a safe place where children can
learn, and we are moving as fast as we can to investigate and respond to
the issues reported in the Washington Post article.

Sincerely,

Alan

*"Dear Parents and Guardians,I am writing to keep you informed of
activities and issues that affect our school community. Communicating with
parents and maintaining our sense of community is very important to me.The
Washington Post published an article Monday reporting allegations related
to school safety and gang activity. I can assure you that gang-related
activity is not tolerated at William Wirt Middle School. Any student found
to be involved in gang-related fights or other disruptive behavior will
face disciplinary sanctions up to expulsion. Any parent or teacher who
believes their child or other students are participating in gang-related
activities, both in and around William Wirt, should contact me immediately.
You also can call the Prince George’s County Police Department at
301-772-4925 and anonymous tips can be shared with Crime Solvers by phoning
1-866-411-TIPS (8477).Maintaining a safe school is our top priority and we
are fortunate to have strong relationships with the Prince George’s County
Police Department and the Prince George’s County Public Schools’ Office of
School Security as well as comprehensive services for students and
families, and community partnerships through the county’s Transforming
Neighborhoods Initiative, including programs such as the Latin American
Youth Center, Hillside Work-Scholarship Connection, AVID and other
enrichment opportunities for students. If students need to speak with a
trusted adult about school safety or need emotional support, William Wirt
has full-time therapists to work with students on social/emotional issues
and a crisis intervention resource teacher, who teaches "restorative
practices" and problem-solving strategies to students. Our school also has
a community resource advocate who serves as a liaison between the school
community and the Prince George’s Social Services. I am very much aware of
the allegations of gang-related activities, but there have been no
confirmed gang-related incidents at our school this school year. I
encourage students, parents, teachers and school staff to share their
concerns so we can address those topics together in ways that best serve
and support our students. I will discuss and listen to concerns with school
staff at a meeting this week.   All families are invited to attend our next
monthly “Tea and Talk” parent meeting on Tuesday, June 19 at 9:30 a.m. Ms.
Nora Morales, the school system’s Diversity Officer, school security and
other staff will join us. Lastly, our Board of Education Member Lupi
Quinteros-Grady and County Council representative Dannielle Glaros will
convene a working group to look at this issue more deeply. I hope you will
plan to attend as your input will help us now and as we plan for the next
school year."*

On Tue, Jun 12, 2018 at 5:09 PM, Audrey Bragg <abragg7393 at aol.com> wrote:

> Thank you Alan.  I hope you will include the entire town in any actions
> taken and any information you receive. I think everyone in this town needs
> to help or do whatever they can to solve this serious problem.  Let's work
> together on this.  Nothing more important than the children.  We need to
> make sure they grow up.
> Audrey ward 2
>
>
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Alan K. Thompson <akthompson at riverdaleparkmd.gov>
> To: Audrey Bragg <abragg7393 at aol.com>
> Cc: towntalk <towntalk at riverdale-park.org>
> Sent: Tue, Jun 12, 2018 2:20 pm
> Subject: Re: [RP TownTalk] middle school
>
> Dear Audrey,
>
> This article was a shock to those of us on the Town Council as well, as it
> does not match our knowledge of conditions/issues at William Wirt.  We are
> aware of it and are working with the county to understand the situation and
> respond appropriately, within the limits of jurisdiction you mention.
>
> Alan
>
> On Tue, Jun 12, 2018 at 12:05 Audrey Bragg <abragg7393 at aol.com> wrote:
>
> I was shocked to read about the MS13 gang taking over William Wirt Middle
> School in the Washington Post this morning.  That is the school where the
> children of Riverdale Park go to school.  Is our town doing anything to
> solve this problem.  I know it is county jurisdiction, but our children are
> our jurisdiction and we should be aware and demand that our children are
> safe.  Is anyone in this town working on this?
> Audrey Bragg, Ward 2
>
>
>
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> --
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>

-- 

Alan K. Thompson, Mayor
Town of Riverdale Park
5008 Queensbury Road, Riverdale Park, MD 20737
http://www.riverdaleparkmd.info
akthompson at riverdaleparkmd.gov
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