[StonyPointEagle] Important announcement from Superintendent Pamela Moran

[Price, Ronnie (Ron)]

I apologize for sending this twice,  but many people had a problem
opening the last e-mail. Sorry for the Spam!

 

 

Ronnie J. Price, Sr. 

________________________________

From: parentcouncil-bounces at listserv.bnsi.net
[mailto:parentcouncil-bounces at listserv.bnsi.net] On Behalf Of Chip Deale
Sent: Friday, February 03, 2006 5:25 PM
To: parentcouncil at listserv.bnsi.net
Cc: cdyer at k12albemarle.org; Christy Sinatra; moran at k12albemarle.org
Subject: [PC Discuss] Important announcement from Superintendent Pamela
Moran
Importance: High

 

Dear Parent Council Representatives:

 

Superintendent Moran has asked that I share the following important
announcement with each of you.

 

Dr. Moran and representatives from the Albemarle County Police
Department will join us at our Parent Council meeting this coming
Tuesday evening, February 7th, at 7:00pm in Room 320 of the County
Office Building to discuss the actions taken in cooperation with one
another on the matter discussed in her announcement below.  You will
understand, I'm sure, that since this relates to an criminal
investigation, both school and law enforcement officials will, of
necessity, have to be rather circumspect in what they can say or reveal.
Today's announcement has a timely, though unfortunate, relationship to
the topic already scheduled for the Parent Council meeting:  Internet
safety.  As a result, I hope you will make every effort to attend this
most important meeting.

 

Chip Deale

Parent Council President

 

 

ALBEMARLE COUNTY

             PUBLIC scHOOLS

                     Office of the superintendent

                     website:  www.k12albemarle.org

	
	 	 
 

 


Important Announcement from Superintendent Pamela Moran 

February 3, 2006 

 

Dear Albemarle County Public Schools Community, 

 

In Albemarle County Public Schools, our staff, parents, and community
members all share a strong commitment to provide students with safe
learning environments. It is a priority for our school system because we
believe when students feel safe; they are more focused on learning.
Anytime something happens that may affect safety, we believe it's
important to share the facts of the matter in our school communities to
combat rumors and give adults information they may need to discuss
issues with their students. Today, we had an experience that is
important to share with you. 

 

Today the Albemarle County Police Department and Albemarle County Public
Schools held a news conference to announce that three Albemarle County
students have been arrested and charged with criminal offenses in
connection with an alleged plan for violent acts on two campuses several
months from now. Albemarle High School and Western Albemarle High School
were identified as the locations. No other campuses were identified as
possible locations. The Police Department received information from
confidential sources about the alleged plan. No specific individuals
were identified or targeted as possible victims. During the news
conference, Police Chief John Miller state the Department did not have
reason to believe there was a potential, immediate threat to those who
attend and work in our schools. 

 

A 16-year-old Western Albemarle High School student, a 15-year-old
Albemarle High School student, and a 13-year-old Jack Jouett Middle
School student are now in custody at the Blue Ridge Juvenile Detention
Center. The students' names will not be released because they are
juveniles. The School Division's policy requires that students accused
of felonies are suspended from school. Additional disciplinary actions
may be taken parallel to the criminal proceedings.  

 

The Police Department received information about the alleged threat on
Mon., January 30 and swiftly began an investigation. During an
investigation of this nature, things happen quickly and information can
change. This communication is intended to provide you the information we
have available at this point in time. 

 

The Police Department made its first arrest on Tues., January 31, a
second on Wed., February 1, and a third on Thurs., February 2. The
charges against the three students are all felonies and if convicted,
the students face the possibility of being incarcerated. 

 

The 16-year-old Western Albemarle High student has been charged with two
felonies for "communicating a threat in writing, electronically
transmitted communication producing a visual or electronic message, a
threat to kill or do bodily injury to a person"  and "commanding,
entreating, or otherwise persuading another to commit a felony."

 

The 15-year-old Albemarle High student has been charged with two
felonies for "conspiring, confederating, or combining with another to
commit a felony, to wit: murder" and "conspiring, confederating, or
combining with another to commit a felony, to wit: by use of any
explosive device, destroy, in whole or in part, a schoolhouse." 

 

The 13-year-old Jouett student has been charged with two felonies for
"conspiring, confederating, or combining with another to commit a
felony, to wit: murder," and "conspiring, confederating, or combining
with another to commit a felony, to wit: by use of any explosive device,
destroy, in whole or in part, a schoolhouse." 

 

Several search warrants also were executed by the Police Department in
relation to the arrests. Evidence was collected on the search warrants
and submitted to the Commonwealth Attorney's Office. The Police
Department was unable to share many details but did confirm that two
shotguns were recovered and computers were seized. Chief Miller
characterized the arrested students as friends and said that two lived
in the same neighborhood and they communicated through an on-line chat
room. Chief Miller also said he is fairly positive the Police Department
has all those involved. 

 

During the news conference, Chief Miller urged parents to be aware of
how their children are using technology to prevent its misuse or abuse.
The Police Department has an Internet safety program it provides free of
charge to school organizations. Talk to your school principal if you
think your parent organization or the broad school community may benefit
from such a program. In addition to its regular Internet safety
activities, the School Division next week will make available online
safety tips for parents and students.   

 

We appreciate the swift action of the Police Department in the
investigation as well as the Department's willingness to work with the
School Division to notify our school community as early as possible. In
criminal investigations like this that involve juveniles, the Police
Department is very limited in the information it can provide to the
School Division and public. We will continue to provide our parents and
the public with the information about this matter that we are authorized
to release. While we welcome questions about the School Division's
response to this issue and our safety plans, we are not able to answer
questions about the investigation. We ask for your understanding in this
regard. 

 

In our schools today, we did take steps to inform our administrators and
staff across the division of the issue. We also focused our guidance
counselors on handling any student concerns. We will continue to closely
monitor our students and staff to meet their needs. At Albemarle High,
Western Albemarle High, and Jouett, our principals also took extra steps
to inform their students and staff. The high school principals broadcast
announcements to students and staff in the early afternoon following the
news conference. The Jouett principal held face-to-face meetings with
students and staff by grade level in the early afternoon. Each principal
also sent an informational letter home to parents through U.S. Mail. 

 

All schools in Albemarle County have crisis plans that outline roles and
procedures for coping with a variety of incidents from natural disasters
to on-campus violence. We update and review our plans every year and
welcome you to view them in school offices. We also have several
services inside our schools to help students with a variety of personal
and social needs. 

 

If you are a parent with a child who is unusually upset over this
incident, please contact your student's guidance counselor or the school
office immediately and request support. We will work with you to meet
your child's needs. If you believe you or someone you know may have
information related to these arrests, please contact Albemarle County
Police Detective Gary Pistulka at 296-5807. 

 

Today's events serve to remind us that the most important thing a
student, parent, staff or community member can do to help us keep our
schools safe is to share any rumors or evidence about possible safety
issues with an administrator, counselor, or our School Resource
Officers. Communicating and working together is the best prevention.  

 

We welcome your continued partnership in keeping Albemarle County Public
Schools safe places for students to learn. 

 

Sincerely, 

 



 

Dr. Pamela Moran

Superintendent 

 

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