Two adult trespassers were escorted off the Watkins Mill High School campus in Gaithersburg on Thursday, according to a community letter sent by Principal Vilma Najera.
According to the letter, a fight occurred at 1:45 p.m. in the hallways. School security and administrators responded to the fight “immediately” and noticed that two adults were trespassing, Najera wrote. The letter did not note how, if at all, the trespassers were involved in the fight.
“They were escorted off campus and the police were called immediately,” Najera wrote. The letter also did not state whether the two were arrested or apprehended by Montgomery County police.
County police did not immediately respond Friday to MoCo360’s inquiries asking for more details about the incident and the trespassers.
“We will be investigating the circumstances that allowed unknown individuals to enter our school without permission,” the principal’s letter stated.
According to Montgomery County Public Schools spokesperson Chris Cram, no injuries were reported but the school nurse did “examine students.” He also said that it appears the trespassers were let into the school by students.
Najera said the school will be reminding students and staff that they are prohibited from opening doors for anyone for any reason. The “doors are locked to ensure safety for all,” the letter stated.
Visitors to all MCPS schools must enter schools through the main entrance and the front office.
Najera also reminded families that fighting is “not an acceptable way to resolve disagreements.” Fighting is also prohibited by the district’s Student Code of Conduct, she wrote. Students who engage in the behavior can face various levels of discipline including detention, community service or restorative practices and short- and long-term suspension or expulsion.
Following the school’s investigation of the incident, students who are found to violate the Student Code of Conduct will receive discipline in alignment with the document, according to Najera.
In addition, she asked families for their support in sharing her message of respect for others even in disagreements.
“When we are able to help students work through their differences early on, it avoids prolonged conflict and social-emotional turmoil,” Najera wrote. “…We want all students to feel welcome and safe at Watkins Mill High School and it will take all of us coming together to make this happen.”
