The county school system is investigating a staff member who was at a party where students were drinking alcohol and playing drinking games, according to a letter sent to parents last week.
The incident occurred at a private graduation party on Thursday, Quince Orchard High School Principal Elizabeth Thomas wrote in the letter.
“I am deeply troubled by the failure of this staff member to exercise appropriate judgment,” Thomas wrote.
The staff member was not identified in the letter. The location of the party wasn’t shared as the school system cannot disclose student address information.
Students from the North Potomac school “openly consumed alcohol and participated in alcohol-related games,” at the party, Thomas wrote. She reiterated the school’s goal of keeping students safe, especially during prom and graduation season, and reminded parents to keep celebrations alcohol- and drug-free.
The legal drinking age in Maryland is 21.
“The Quince Orchard community, in association with our PTSA, Booster club, NAACP, and other parent support organizations have established a shared vision around the safety and wellbeing of our students,” Thomas wrote. “This incident does not reflect our commitment to that shared vision.”
Quince Orchard’s graduation is on May 31. The school has about 2,000 students.
A school system spokesman declined to comment further.
County police are not actively investigating but are coordinating with the school to gather details, a spokesman said Monday. Officers were not called to the party and would have to verify the claims before an investigation proceeded.
Charlie Wright can be reached at charlie.wright@moco360.media
