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These Are Maryland's Top Public Elementary Schools: New Rankings Released These Are Maryland's Top Public Elementary Schools: New Rankings Released
These Are Maryland's Top Public Elementary Schools: New Rankings Released Montgomery County is the place to be for parents with young children according to a new Niche report listing Maryland's top elementary schools. It was a clean sweep in the top five for Montgomery County, which led the latest rankings recently released by the organization following lists for the top middle and high schools in the country.  To determine the "best public schools in America," Niche's ranking was "based on rigorous analysis of academic and student life data from US Department of Education along with test scores, college data, and ratings collected from millions of Niche use…

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by Zak Failla
Schools
Students Uninjured After School Bus Crash With Pick-Up In Montgomery County Students Uninjured After School Bus Crash With Pick-Up In Montgomery County
Students Uninjured After School Bus Crash With Pick-Up In Montgomery County The day got off to a rough start for a school bus driver in Montgomery County who was in an early morning crash with a pick-up truck in Colesville. At around 7:30 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 31, first responders were called to the area of New Hampshire Avenue and Norwood Road, where there was a reported crash involving the bus and a landscaping truck, officials say. There were no reported injuries to any students, who were transferred to another bus, and one person in the truck suffered minor injuries and was taken to an area hospital. An alert was issued by police advising that drivers should …

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by Zak Failla
Schools
These Are Maryland's Top Public Middle Schools: New Rankings Released These Are Maryland's Top Public Middle Schools: New Rankings Released
These Are Maryland's Top Public Middle Schools: New Rankings Released Several middle schools in Montgomery and Howard counties are among the best in Maryland, according to a new Niche report. Cabin John Middle School in Potomac topped the list, followed by three in Howard County: Clarksville, Mount View, and Folly Quarter middle schools. To determine the "best public schools in America," Niche's ranking was "based on rigorous analysis of academic and student life data from US Department of Education along with test scores, college data, and ratings collected from millions of Niche users."  The results are similar to the top public high schools in the st…

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by Zak Failla
Schools
Montgomery County Middle School Evacuated (DEVELOPING) Montgomery County Middle School Evacuated (DEVELOPING)
Montgomery County Middle School Evacuated (Developing) An elementary school in Montgomery County was evacuated on Monday morning and students are heading home early, officials say. Crews were called to Julius West Middle School on Great Falls Road in Rockville shortly before noon on Monday, where there were reports of elevated CO levels. Google Maps street view It is believed the issue was a leak in the boiler room. Students and staff were evacuated while first responders ventilated the building and officials organized the early dismissal. Update - Julius West middle school, Great Falls Rd., building evacuated, early dismissal, @mcfrs on…

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by Zak Failla
Schools
Man Hitched Ride From Maryland To DC On School Bus: Prince George's County Police (DEVELOPING) Man Hitched Ride From Maryland To DC On School Bus: Prince George's County Police (DEVELOPING)
Man Hitched Ride From Maryland To DC On School Bus: Prince George's County Police (Developing) A strange scene played out on Wednesday afternoon when a man boarded a Prince George's County school bus and was later dropped off in the DC area before coming back, according to police. An investigation was launched at 2:05 p.m. on Oct. 23, when a passerby called 911 after spotting a grown man getting on the bus in the 4100 block of Suitland Road, which was occupied by three elementary school students. Officers were dispatched and stopped the bus at 2:09 p.m., when they determined the students were all safe; however, the man who was seen getting into the bus was no longer on board. The pr…

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by Zak Failla
Schools
Recall Of 11.7M Pounds Of Meat, Poultry: List Released Of Schools That Received Products Recall Of 11.7M Pounds Of Meat, Poultry: List Released Of Schools That Received Products
Recall Of 11.7M Pounds Of Meat, Poultry: List Released Of Schools That Received Products A preliminary list has been released of schools that received items that were part of a nationwide recall of millions of pounds of meat and poultry products over fears they may be contaminated with Listeria. The initial recall involving the manufacturer, Bruce Pac, was for 9,986,245 pounds of ready-to-eat (RTE) products sold at Walmart, Target, Amazon, Trader Joe's, 7-Eleven, Aldi, and other stores. It was announced on Wednesday, Oct. 9. Earlier this week, the recall was expanded to include 11,765,285 pounds of products, the US Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspectio…

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by Joe Lombardi
Schools
Elementary School Teacher In Maryland Indicted For Coercion Of Former Student: Feds Elementary School Teacher In Maryland Indicted For Coercion Of Former Student: Feds
Elementary School Teacher In Maryland Indicted For Coercion Of Former Student: Feds An educator in Prince George's County has been indicted after allegedly coercing and enticing a child who was a former student, federal authorities announced. Bowie resident Mark Cobb, a former teacher at Cooper Lane Elementary School in Landover Hills, is now facing charges that include coercion and enticement of a child, as well as possession of child pornography, officials say. According to the indictment, between June 19 and June 25, the teacher allegedly engaged in a texting relationship with a 9-year-old student, during which he allegedly requested and received illicit photos fro…

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by Zak Failla
Schools
CODE RED: 'General Threats' Made Toward Montgomery College Cancels Classes CODE RED: 'General Threats' Made Toward Montgomery College Cancels Classes
Code RED: 'General Threats' Made Toward Montgomery College Cancels Classes Montgomery College was unexpectedly shut down on Friday afternoon after threats were made targeting the school.  A "Code Red" alert was issued on Oct. 11, to allow for an investigation into the threats that led to a closure of the campus effective as of 1:30 p.m. on Friday. "At this time, any information regarding an active threat on school property has not been deemed credible," the school said. MC Alert: URGENT - Code RedEffective at 1:30 p.m., Friday, October 11, @montgomerycoll will be CLOSED onsite and all remote operations/instructions/services are suspended. Please check you…

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by Zak Failla
Schools
Photos Released Of Man Wanted For Inappropriately Touching Student At University Of Maryland Photos Released Of Man Wanted For Inappropriately Touching Student At University Of Maryland
Photos Released Of Man Wanted For Inappropriately Touching Student At University Of Maryland New photos have been released by the University of Maryland Police Department as they continue their search for a suspect wanted in connection to a sex offense last month. In early September, members of the department responded to the 4600 block of College Avenue near the intersection of Princeton Avenue, where a student reported that she had been inappropriately touched. According to police, at around 11 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 6, the female student reported to investigators that she was walking along College Avenue when a man approached her and began asking questions. During that interacti…

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by Zak Failla
Schools
Minor Suffers Critical Injuries After Being Struck By Vehicle Outside Maryland HS (UPDATED) Minor Suffers Critical Injuries After Being Struck By Vehicle Outside Maryland HS (UPDATED)
Minor Suffers Critical Injuries After Being Struck By Vehicle Outside Maryland HS (Updated) A juvenile was rushed to the hospital with critical injuries after being struck by a vehicle near Parkdale High School on Tuesday afternoon, officials say. Shortly before 2:15 p.m. on Oct. 8, Prince George's County Fire and EMS personnel were called to the 6000 block of Good Luck Road in Riverdale, where there was a reported pedestrian strike in front of the school. One juvenile was taken in critical, but stable condition after being struck, officials said. The incident is now being investigated by the Prince George's County Police Department. Pedestrian struck, 2:13pm, 6000 block Good …

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by Zak Failla
Schools
Elementary School Student Stabs Classmate With Pencil, Bashes Second With Book In MD: Sheriff Elementary School Student Stabs Classmate With Pencil, Bashes Second With Book In MD: Sheriff
Elementary School Student Stabs Classmate With Pencil, Bashes Second With Book In MD: Sheriff An elementary school student who went berserk in Charles County and left two classmates with injuries that required treatment on Friday will not be charged, according to the sheriff's office. A strange scene played out on Oct. 4 at Wade Elementary School, when a student used everything at his disposal to dispose of his peers inside a classroom, officials say. Investigators from the Charles County Sheriff's Office said that the student purposefully jabbed one classmate in the leg with a pencil and struck another student in the head with a book.  The first student was treated for a punc…

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by Zak Failla
Schools
These Are Maryland's Top Public High Schools: New Rankings Released These Are Maryland's Top Public High Schools: New Rankings Released
These Are Maryland's Top Public High Schools: New Rankings Released A pair of Montgomery County public high schools were ranked the best in Maryland, followed by some in Howard County, according to a new Niche report. Poolesville High School took the top spot in Maryland - and 32nd overall in the nation - followed by Walt Whitman High School, River Hill High School, Winston Church Hill High School, and Marriotts Ridge High School. To determine the "best public schools in America," Niche's ranking was "based on rigorous analysis of academic and student life data from US Department of Education along with test scores, college data, and ratings collected …

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by Zak Failla
Schools
Fire Tears Through Vacant Montgomery County Elementary School Under Construction Fire Tears Through Vacant Montgomery County Elementary School Under Construction
Fire Tears Through Vacant Montgomery County Elementary School Under Construction Retirement had to wait for a veteran fire chief who was was active in suppressing a massive blaze that broke out overnight in Montgomery County. A massive two-alarm fire erupted at a vacant Maryland elementary school scheduled to be demolished later this year and replaced with a new building. Crews in Montgomery County were on hand for hours at JoAnn Leleck Elementary School in Silver Spring overnight, when a massive fire broke out and tore through the school. Twitter/@mcfrsPIO The fire was initially reported at around 9 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 24. At the time, the school was un…

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by Zak Failla
Schools
Suspicious Person Walking Halls Of Frederick County High School Arrested For Assaulting Staffer Suspicious Person Walking Halls Of Frederick County High School Arrested For Assaulting Staffer
Suspicious Person Walking Halls Of Frederick County High School Arrested For Assaulting Staffer It only took a week for members of the Frederick County Sheriff's Office to apprehend a person wanted for assaulting a staff member while trespassing at an area high school, authorities announced. At approximately 11 a.m. on Sept. 17, a questionable man entered Urbana High School through an exterior door, and was walking the halls until a staff member spotted him and attempted to take him outside of the building. As the staffer was closing the door behind the man, investigators say that he was assaulted, at which point the suspect fled the campus.  On Tuesday, Sept. 24, the sheriff's …

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by Zak Failla
Schools
Police Called In To Probe Threat Made By Group Of Students Targeting Maryland High School Police Called In To Probe Threat Made By Group Of Students Targeting Maryland High School
Police Called In To Probe Threat Made By Group Of Students Targeting Maryland High School Threats of violence at a Prince George's County high school were proven to be unfounded, but not before giving some administrators a scare on Tuesday morning. Investigators were called in early on Sept. 24 to Bladensburg High School on 57th Avenue to probe a reported threat of violence that was made by a group of students, officials say. "Out an abundance of caution, every threat is taken seriously," according to a spokesperson from the Prince George's County Police Department, who confirmed that there was never a credible threat to the building.  During the investigation into the thr…

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by Zak Failla
Schools
Maryland Educators Accused Of Failing To Report Alleged Rape, Police Say Maryland Educators Accused Of Failing To Report Alleged Rape, Police Say
Maryland Educators Accused Of Failing To Report Alleged Rape, Police Say Two former educators are facing criminal charges after failing to disclose a reported rape involving a student in Harford County, authorities announced. Former Aberdeen Middle School Principal Regina Jones, 44, and paraeducator Tonya Johnson, 56, were both arrested for failing to report alleged child abuse/neglect after a student came forward to advise them that they were the victim of a rape. According to the Aberdeen Police Department, on April 18, 2023, police were alerted by a local hospital about a past rape involving a minor, and it was later determined that the incident happened…

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by Zak Failla
Schools
Classmates Tip Off Police, Administrators About Teen Carrying Gun In Maryland School Classmates Tip Off Police, Administrators About Teen Carrying Gun In Maryland School
Classmates Tip Off Police, Administrators About Teen Carrying Gun In Maryland School A gun was recovered from a teenage student at a Maryland middle school after administrators were tipped off by some of his classmates on Monday. The Prince George’s County Police Department is investigating after a student at Ellen Ochoa Middle School in Landover Hills brought a gun onto school property. Investigators say that at around 12:45 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 23, the agency was advised that security at the school recovered a gun from a 13-year-old student's backpack after others cautioned officials that that there may have been a weapon in the building, leading to its recovery. T…

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by Zak Failla
Schools
Shots Fired, Robbery Reported At Maryland Bus Stop, Police Say (UDPATED) Shots Fired, Robbery Reported At Maryland Bus Stop, Police Say (UDPATED)
Shots Fired, Robbery Reported At Maryland Bus Stop, Police Say (Udpated) A high school student was shot at and robbed at gunpoint while waiting at a bus stop to head to school on Thursday morning in Prince George's County, police say. At around 6:40 a.m. on Sept. 19, officers were called to the 15900 block of Livingston Road near Xander Street in Accokeek, where there was a reported incident involving a robber and pair of robbers. According to the Prince George's County Police Department, two people approached a group of minors at the bus stop and announced the robbery, prompting them to scatter away in fear. One of the two suspects fired a shot in the air, cau…

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by Zak Failla
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Maryland Middle School Student Caught Packing Loaded Handgun In Lunchbox, Sheriff Says Maryland Middle School Student Caught Packing Loaded Handgun In Lunchbox, Sheriff Says
Maryland Middle School Student Caught Packing Loaded Handgun In Lunchbox, Sheriff Says A middle school student had a little too much iron with his school lunch on Wednesday afternoon in Charles County, leading to the recovery of a handgun, according to the sheriff's office. Administrators at the Benjamin Stoddert Middle School were alerted shortly after 12:30 p.m. on Wednesday afternoon about a student who was possibly in possession of a gun inside the building. The School Resource Officer assigned to the building was notified, identified and located the student, who was found to be in possession of a loaded handgun in their lunchbox. No threats were made. Now, investigator…

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by Zak Failla
Schools
Suspicious Person Walking Halls Of Frederick County High School Assaulted Staff Member: Sheriff Suspicious Person Walking Halls Of Frederick County High School Assaulted Staff Member: Sheriff
Suspicious Person Walking Halls Of Frederick County High School Assaulted Staff Member: Sheriff A suspicious suspect who moseyed his way into a Frederick County high school on Tuesday morning before assaulting a staff member who escorted him out is at large, according to the sheriff's office. At approximately 11 a.m. on Sept. 17, a questionable man entered Urbana High School through an exterior door, and was walking the halls until a staff member spotted him and attempted to take him outside of the building. As the staffer was closing the door behind the man, investigators say that he was assaulted, at which point the suspect fled the campus.  No other students or other staff me…

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by Zak Failla
Schools
Lockdown Lifted At HS Campuses In Montgomery County (UPDATED) Lockdown Lifted At HS Campuses In Montgomery County (UPDATED)
Lockdown Lifted At HS Campuses In Montgomery County (Updated) A suspicious person purportedly packing a handgun near a few schools in Montgomery County has caused alarm for some in the area. At around 9 a.m. on Friday morning, Wheaton High School and the Thomas Edison High School of Technology were ordered to shelter in place and were later later locked down amid the investigation into the armed man. According to the Montgomery County Department of Police, the lockdowns were caused following reports of a person who was outside of the school campuses with a handgun. Officers were called to the area and were working to confirm the validity of the repor…

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by Zak Failla
Schools
Disorderly Woman Accused Of Shouting Profanities Outside Maryland Elementary School: Sheriff Disorderly Woman Accused Of Shouting Profanities Outside Maryland Elementary School: Sheriff
Disorderly Woman Accused Of Shouting Profanities Outside Maryland Elementary School: Sheriff A cigarette-smoking woman is facing multiple drug charges after going on a tirade and being busted outside a Calvert County elementary school, according to the sheriff's office. Prince Frederick County resident Karla Yamith Rodriguez, 34, has been identified as the disorderly woman who was allegedly yelling and screaming profanities in the parking lot of Barstow Elementary School, officials say. It is alleged that when approached by responding deputies, Rodriguez ignored their commands, continued shouting in front of others in the area, and her "behavior escalated," leading to her apprehens…

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by Zak Failla
Schools
Teen Dies At Hospital Following Shooting At Maryland High School Teen Dies At Hospital Following Shooting At Maryland High School
Teen Dies At Hospital Following Shooting At Maryland High School A deadly shooting at Jappatowne High School is under investigation after a teen died after being airlifted to an area hospital on Friday, the sheriff's office confirmed. Harford County Sheriff Jeffrey Gahler said that 15-year-old Edgewood resident Grant Warren Curtis died at the hospital after being shot by a 16-year-old classmate on Sept. 6 in a bathroom at the school. "I regret to be standing here again with the unfortunately news after being informed that the victim did not survive the shooting," Gahler said at a press conference. The family was notified late on Friday afternoon, he sai…

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by Zak Failla
Schools
Elementary School Teacher In Maryland Accused Of Sexual Abuse Of Former Student: Police Elementary School Teacher In Maryland Accused Of Sexual Abuse Of Former Student: Police
Elementary School Teacher In Maryland Accused Of Sexual Abuse Of Former Student: Police The new school year got off to an unfortunate start for an educator in Prince George's County who was arrested for allegedly sexually abusing a child who was a former student, police say. Bowie resident Mark Cobb, a teacher at Cooper Lane Elementary School in Landover Hills is facing multiple charges that include sexual abuse of a minor and possession of child porn. His alleged victim is reportedly a girl under the age of 10 who was a former student. According to the Prince George's County Police Department, on Sunday, Aug. 25, Cooper Lane Elementary School officials were tipped off a…

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by Zak Failla
Schools
Teen Who Enlisted 12-Year-Old Boy To Make School Bomb Threats Charged In Montgomery County: PD Teen Who Enlisted 12-Year-Old Boy To Make School Bomb Threats Charged In Montgomery County: PD
Teen Who Enlisted 12-Year-Old Boy To Make School Bomb Threats Charged In Montgomery County: PD Two minors who conspired to make bomb threats targeting Montgomery County schools have been identified as those responsible for causing multiple scares in the community earlier this year. A 15-year-old Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School student is facing multiple charges, and his 12-year-old cohort from Pennsylvania - who will not be charged due to his age - have been accused of making multiple bomb threats that caused chaos in May. According to the Montgomery County Department of Police, a threat made on Thursday, May 16 led to a lockdown at the teen's school, as well as the deploy…

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by Zak Failla
Schools
Several Montgomery County Schools Vandalized With Anti-Semitic, Anti-LGBTQ+ Graffiti Several Montgomery County Schools Vandalized With Anti-Semitic, Anti-LGBTQ+ Graffiti
Several Montgomery County Schools Vandalized With Anti-Semitic, Anti-lgbtq+ Graffiti Days before classes are set to resume, a new batch of hateful graffiti was found at Montgomery County Schools over the weekend. Officials are speaking out after several schools were vandalized with "politically-charged" graffiti, anti-Semitic imagery - including swastikas - and anti-LGBTQ+ language," Superintendent Thomas Taylor confirmed. According to reports, the imagery was found at these schools:  Winston Churchill High School; Thomas S. Wootton High School; Strathmore Elementary School; Fallsmead Elementary School. "Principals are reaching out to their communities to report thes…

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by Zak Failla
Schools
Community Helps Scrub Anti-Semitic Graffiti From Maryland Elementary School Sign Community Helps Scrub Anti-Semitic Graffiti From Maryland Elementary School Sign
Community Helps Scrub Anti-Semitic Graffiti From Maryland Elementary School Sign A Maryland community came together to help clean up hateful graffiti that was found spray painted outside a Montgomery County elementary school. Anti-semitic imagery was found on a sign at the Bethesda Elementary School on Arlington Road, though crews and neighbors were quick to clear the paint on Sunday morning. Many thanks to @2dCommander, @mcpnews, @BethesdaUP, Dr. Taylor & Marcus Jones at @MCPS, and @CentralFarmMKTs Bethesda team as well as local residents for the response & efforts today to clean up deeply offensive graffiti today.“Hate cannot drive out hate. Only love can d…

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by Zak Failla
Schools
District Man, Maryland Teen Accused Of Armed Robbery, Carjacking Outside High School: Sheriff District Man, Maryland Teen Accused Of Armed Robbery, Carjacking Outside High School: Sheriff
District Man, Maryland Teen Accused Of Armed Robbery, Carjacking Outside High School: Sheriff Two teens have been arrested months after a pair students were assaulted during an armed robbery and carjacking outside a Charles County High School, the sheriff's office announced.  District resident Martino Marcus Young, 19, and a 17-year-old from Waldorf - who will be charged as an adult - were identified and apprehended following an incident in March in the parking lot of St. Charles High School. On March 6, two students were assaulted in the parking lot, when one of the two stole their car and fled, according to the Charles County Sheriff's Office. Young and the teen were identif…

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by Zak Failla
Schools
High School Teacher, Coach In Maryland Accused Of Sexually Abusing Minor, Police Say High School Teacher, Coach In Maryland Accused Of Sexually Abusing Minor, Police Say
High School Teacher, Coach In Maryland Accused Of Sexually Abusing Minor, Police Say A 38-year-old teacher in Maryland has been arrested for allegedly sexually abusing a minor, police announced on Sunday. On Friday, Carlos Arroyo was arrested by detectives with the Baltimore County Crimes Against Children Unit following allegations of sexual misconduct involving a juvenile, according to authorities. Arroyo is a teacher at Randallstown High School, police noted. Randallstown High School Google Maps street view He has been charged with two felonies, which include sexual abuse of a minor and third-degree sexual offense, as well as two misdemeanor offenses. …

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by Zak Failla
Schools
Teen Responsible For Bomb Threat That Forced Maryland High School Evacuation, Police Say Teen Responsible For Bomb Threat That Forced Maryland High School Evacuation, Police Say
Teen Responsible For Bomb Threat That Forced Maryland High School Evacuation, Police Say A teenager has been identified as the person who was responsible a bomb threat that forced an evacuation at a Montgomery County high school. Officers from the Montgomery County Department of Police were called to the Walt Whitman High School on Friday morning to investigate a reported threat. An alert was issued by the agency shortly before 11 a.m. on June 7 regarding a possible threat targeting the building, though it was also determined to be not valid and there was never any danger to the school. On Tuesday, June 11, investigators announced that they identified a 15-year-old as the…

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by Zak Failla
Schools
Graduation Fights In Montgomery County 'Embarrassment To Community,' Principal Says Graduation Fights In Montgomery County 'Embarrassment To Community,' Principal Says
Graduation Fights In Montgomery County 'Embarrassment To Community,' Principal Says What started as a day of celebration ended violently when a brawl broke out during a graduation ceremony in Silver Spring. Several fights were reported outside of John F. Kennedy High School in Silver Spring this week on the steps of Constitution Hall, according to Principal Vickie Adamson, who called the incident "an embarrassment to our community."  Some recent graduates were part of the conflict, the principal said, but most of the conflicts involved adults and members of the community. According to Adamson, who issued a letter to the community, school staff members unsuccessfully …

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by Zak Failla