Dear Paramount Unified School District Families and Friends,
As we are all aware, social media can be an asset, as well as a detriment if not used wisely, accurately and with integrity. In the last 24 hours, an Instagram post has been circulating encouraging people to say that students are bringing guns and weapons to our high school campuses. The purpose for this disinformation is to instill fear and damage the reputation of our schools built by the wonderful students that we serve and the hard-working teachers and staff that labor day in and out on their behalf.
We had a fight on the 9th grade campus on Tuesday, as communicated in a phone message I sent families. As Superintendent, I will always share with the entire internal and external communities the facts of each and every incident. There were no weapons involved in the fight. Students have been dealt with appropriately as this type of behavior is not tolerated on our campuses.
This misbehavior does not represent the culture and environment of our high schools. This is not who we are. We will not allow anyone to change who we are. Please know, to bring perspective, that Paramount High School is the largest high school in the State of California with close to 5,000 students. The misbehavior of less than 20 students does not reflect the school community.
Principal Liz Salcido has met with all students, stating the school's expectations and rules for appropriate school behavior as well as the consequences that will result when students violate these rules.
This effort will continue over the coming days, and will continue to include outreach to parents.
Please do not support a lack of civility on social media that is false, harmful and potentially dangerous. Inflammatory posts like this are damaging to our schools and community. We will work with law enforcement to stop this.
Thank you for your continued support.
Dr. Ruth Pérez
Spanish/español
Estimadas familias y amigos del Distrito Escolar Unificado de Paramount,
Como ustedes saben, las redes sociales pueden ser de mucha ayuda, un perjuicio si no se usa sabiamente, con certeza y con integridad. En las últimas 24 horas, una publicación en Instagram ha estado circulando, animando a persona a decir que los estudiantes están trayendo pistolas y armas a nuestras preparatorias. El propósito de esta mal información es de infundir miedo y dañar la reputación de nuestras escuelas que hemos hecho de nuestros maravillosos estudiantes que servimos y nuestros maestros y personal escolar que trabajan duro día a día en su nombre.
Tuvimos una pelea en el plantel del noveno grado el martes, como se le comunico por un mensaje telefónico a las familias. Como Superintendente, yo les compartiré a todas las comunidades internas y externas los hechos de cada uno de los incidentes. No hubo armas involucradas en la pelea. Los estudiantes han sido tratados apropiadamente, ya que este tipo de comportamiento no es tolerado en nuestros planteles escolares.
Este comportamiento no representa la cultura y el ambiente de nuestras preparatorias. Esto no es lo que somos. No permitiremos que nadie cambie quien somos nosotros. Para que usted sepa, para tener perspectiva, la Preparatoria Paramount es la preparatoria más grande del estado de California con cerca de 5,000 estudiantes. El mal comportamiento es de menos de 20 estudiantes lo cual no refleja la comunidad escolar.
La Directora Liz Salcido se ha reunido con todos los estudiantes explicándoles las expectativas y las reglas de la escuela del comportamiento adecuado como también de las consecuencias que resultaran cuando los estudiantes violen estas reglas. El esfuerzo continuara en los siguientes días, y continuara a incluir comunicación con los padres.
Favor no apoyen la falta de civilidad en las redes sociales que son falsas, perjudiciales y potencialmente peligrosas. Publicaciones inflamatorias como esta son perjudícales para nuestras escuelas y comunidad. Trabajaremos con la policía para parar esto.
Gracias por su apoyo continuo.
Dra. Ruth Pérez
Paramount High School West Incident
Today at Paramount High School’s West Campus, several students were involved in fights during lunch. School leaders and staff stopped the behavior immediately, and started the disciplinary process for all involved. Students have been suspended, cited or arrested as appropriate.
The school will continue to investigate the matter and students will be held accountable for their actions. The school’s leadership will take steps to remind students of the consequences of such behavior.
Parents can help by reminding their students to handle any problems they have with others by talking to their teachers, counselors, or administrators. Parents are also asked to remind their students to be on their best behavior before, during, and after school.
Paramount High School’s West Campus is a safe place for students, parents, and staff. Behavior like this will not be tolerated.
Dr. Ruth Perez, Superintendent
Spanish/español
Superintendent
Paramount Unified School District
562-602-6011