Walnut Creek Intermediate deals with another drug possession issue

A seventh grader at Walnut Creek Intermediate was caught this week in possession of a small amount of marijuana, suspended by the school for five days, and issued a citation by the Walnut Creek police.

This information came in the form of a notice e-mailed out to parents by Principal Kevin Collins. This notice appears to be another example of the school's "conscious decision to inform the community if there were any incidents or threats to our students, either on campus or to and from school," according to Walnut Creek School District Superintendent Patricia Wool.

She explained this effort to keep the community informed about safety issues in an e-mail she sent out earlier this week. Her e-mail went out, no doubt, in response to concerns being raised recently that the loss next year of one of two vice principal's positions, due to budget cuts, would compromise the safety and well-being of the more than 1,100 students on the downtown campus. "We are committed to providing a safe environment regardless of WCI administrative staffing levels," Wool said.

She also said that since the beginning of the 2009-10 school year, there have been two incidents of students being caught in possession of marijuana. There was also a student caught with alcohol and two students who brought knives to school.

Here is a note from Principal Collins about the latest marijuana-possession incident at WCI:

I want to advise our community about a student discipline issue that occurred at WCI during seventh period today.

A seventh grade student was found in possession of a small amount of marijuana. I suspended the student for five days and called the Walnut Creek Police Department. The student received a juvenile citation and was released to the custody of a parent.

We are asking that parents again take this opportunity to speak with their children about drugs and about making good decisions. The safety and security of our students and campus remains our top priority.

Ironhorse Trail warning after WCI sixth-grader approached by suspicious man

After a man approached a sixth-grader Monday and asked him to “come with him,” Walnut Creek Intermediate Principal Kevin Collins issued this warning to students (and their parents) about students walking by themselves before or after school.

As someone who has run that trail, and seen some of the characters who use our otherwise excellent public bike and walking paths, I’m glad the principal is issuing this warning.

From Principal Collins:

We want to advise our community about an incident involving one of our students that occurred on the Iron Horse Trail after school this afternoon.    

A sixth grade student was leaving campus after 4 p.m. by himself.  A man described as white, approximately 40 years old, under 6 feet tall, and of medium build, approached the sixth grader and urged him to come with him.  The adult did not touch or threaten our student, and because the incident occurred on the trail, there was not a vehicle nearby.

The student ran back to campus and reported the incident to the office.  We immediately contacted the Walnut Creek Police Department who had several officers respond.  They performed an area search and interviewed our student, but were unable to locate the suspect.  

We commend our student for quickly recognizing a bad situation, running away, and coming to the office to report the incident. 

The trail is a very busy place at the end of the school day at 3:00, but there may be few people on the trail at later times in the afternoon. 

WCPD recommended the following to our students:

--Do not walk alone on the trail

--Consider being picked up in front of the school if leaving after dismissal

--Do not talk with strangers

--Report any suspicious or awkward situations immediately to an adult and/or the police
  

--Please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns.

Another WCI student caught with pot--may be related to earlier case

An eighth-grader at Walnut Creek Intermediate was caught bringing a small amount of marijuana and a pipe to school, Principal Kevin Collins advised parents Friday. That student was also arrested by the Walnut Creek Police Department and "is no longer enrolled in the Walnut Creek School District."

Collins adds that "while we were unable to confirm, this situation may have been related to the marijuana possession case that occurred before break." Collins says in his e-mail to parents:

"We remain committed to providing a safe and drug free school environment. In light of this, WCI administrators will be visiting classes to reiterate school rules regarding drugs and alcohol. We are again asking parents to talk with students regarding the negative effects of drugs and alcohol. Our school and parents need to work together to address these issues at WCI."

As for the earlier marijuana case to which Collins refers? I reported, back on December 19, that before the winter holiday break, a student was caught in possession of a lighter, pipe, and small amount of marijuana. Collins said back in December:

"Our disciplinary code also calls for a five-day suspension for any drug or paraphernalia possession or use, and also calls for police contact. The Walnut Creek Police Department typically places a student who is caught with drugs on a school campus into custody and transports them to the police station."

In that December e-mail, Collins assured parents that alcohol and drug possession cases are "rare" at Walnut Creek Intermediate. I noted that it is true that suspensions for drug and alcohol possession are "rare," according to reports the district makes to the state Department of Education. During the 2008-09 school year, a total of 100 Walnut Creek school district students were suspended, but only one was caught in possession or was involved in sales of alcohol or drugs.

No students in the district were expelled last school year. However, the district has already expelled one student, and the above language about the eighth-grader disciplined this week--that the student "is no longer enrolled" in the district--suggests another expulsion might be in the works. It is the same language Collins used about one of two students involved in two separate incidents back in November, when these students were caught with knives on campus.