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<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 color=red face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;color:red'>Do not reply to this email, contact Richard Ng</span></font><font
size=2><span style='font-size:10.0pt'>, <a
href="mailto:Richard_ng@berkeley.k12.ca.us">Richard_ng@berkeley.k12.ca.us</a></span></font>
<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face=Arial><o:p> </o:p></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Dear
BHS Families:<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>In
light of yesterday's events involving weapons on campus the administrative team
is committed to deepening our response as a school<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>site
and working with District officials to craft a comprehensive intervention to
the unacceptable series of events we have experienced here<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>on
campus this year. I am deeply appreciative of the parents and community members
who immediately contacted us with offers to help and to support<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>our
efforts in a variety of ways, as we continue to move forward and collaborate on
a community-wide scale to address and eliminate these<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>issues
on our campus. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>I
met with the Superintendent and other District Staff last night to debrief
Tuesday and to make plans for both short and long-term measures to<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>address
the incidents. A version of these objectives was sent out by the District
earlier, yet I felt compelled to share these plans via our e-tree as well. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>We
are increasing the number of safety officers this week and will maintain that
level of supervision through spring break. These additional<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>safety
officers will compliment the current safety staff who are assigned to specific
areas throughout the campus and provide increased supervision<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>in
areas more difficult to supervise like bathrooms, stairwells, etc. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>In
addition, the District is adding administrative staff on a temporary basis to
assist with the implementation of the steps we are taking to<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>reduce
and eliminate the presence of weapons on campus. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>An
additional administrator will be on campus this week to provide increased
supervision and free up current administrators to do direct<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>outreach
to students in social studies classrooms between tomorrow and the beginning of
the spring break. These class meetings will allow<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>administrators
to clearly explain the rules and consequences of having a weapon on campus and
to explain and reiterate the dangers of weapons in<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>general;
moreover, they will explain directly to students how they can confidentially
report information about weapons on campus. It is<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>important,
in my view, that all students be given an explicit and direct reminder that
bringing a weapon to school, or posessing a weapon at any<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>time
in school, regardless of intent, will result in an arrest and a mandatory
expulsion per state education code. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Please
remind your students that if they hear of or see a weapon on campus or have
information that a student may be in possession of a weapon<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>of
any kind, or even receive word that someone intends to bring a weapon to
school, to contact a teacher, an administrator, a<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>coach,
or any other staff member immediately. Our clear preference is that students
report directly to staff members and we will keep their reports<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>confidential.
That said, if students still are absolutely not comfortable reporting to us
directly, they can call the PAX national violence<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>prevention
hotline at 1-866-SPEAK UP. A text messaging option is also in the works and
should be operational within the next few weeks. Wallet<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>cards
with this number and key points about reporting incidents should arrive within
the next few weeks and will be distributed to all students.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>In
the interim; please share the number with students.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>BHS
staff will facilitate student focus groups in the coming days to solicit
student perspectives on these problems and their suggestions for<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>how
this behavior might best be deterred or prevented.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>The
school board has called a meeting for Wednesday, March 30 at 7:30 p.m. to
discuss strategies and interventions to address the presence of weapons<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>on
campus. BHS staff will actively partcipate in and support that discussion.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Our
School Resource Officer from BPD provides additional support on campus and on
our perimeter and is currently coordinating additional patrol<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>support
with BPD beat officers. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Berkeley
P.D. officials will meet with BHS and BUSD staff to discuss continuing student
education around safety and consequences as well as to<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>articulate
our shared role in working with parents and students to eliminate these
incidents and to sustain a peaceful and productive campus<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>for
all students.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>An
all BHS staff meeting will be held tomorrow morning to review emergency contact
information and emergency response procedures including campus<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>closure
and lockdown procedures.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Berkeley
High School and District staff have scheduled a parent forum on Monday, March
28, 2011 from 6:30-8:00 p.m. in the Florence Schwimley<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Little
Theater on the BHS campus. The goal will be to outline next steps and measures
that will be taken to prevent future incidents. We invite you<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>to
join us.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Among
the many unfortunate dimensions that accompany things like this is that they
overshadow the numerous great things that are consistently<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>happening
at Berkeley High School. Many of our seniors are getting responses to college
applications during this time of year and our kids<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>are
maintaining great rates of acceptance from some of the best public and private
colleges and universities in the country. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>As
I walk through classrooms and observe our staff and students at work I am
reminded, even yesterday amidst the stress and worry that hit all of<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>us,
and today in the aftermath, of the talented, dynamic, and diverse nature of our
school community. Yesterday, despite a troubling morning,<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>and
amidst a power outage, my team and I walked the halls and overwhelmingly saw
teachers teaching and students engaged. Our staff and<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>our
students were simply phenomenal. The horrible decisions of a few individuals
should be dealt with accordingly, yet not be allowed to<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>completely
overshadow the fact that this high school is a unique and wonderful place to
work and learn and that the overwhelming majority of<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>folks
who show up here everyday do so in a respectful and community-minded fashion.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>My
mention of our strengths should in no way be seen as an attempt to obscure the
fact that this latest incident signals a persistent and<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>dangerous
problem that warrants sustained and thoughtful intervention. That said, I
believe that it is critical to not let fear be the exclusive<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>driver
of our response. Our emotions and fears are certainly valid yet the creative,
collaborative, intellectual, and innovative elements in our<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>school
and community need to be utilized on this problem as well, and I genuinely
believe that we are more than capable of finding sustainable<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>solutions
together. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Respectfully,<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Pasquale
Scuderi<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Principal<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Berkeley
High School<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Calibri><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:navy'>______________<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:navy'>Diane Douglas, Marguerite
Fa-Kaji and Pat Anderson are the parent-volunteer facilitators of the etree;
please direct any questions to them at <a href="mailto:bhs-owner@lmi.net"
title="mailto:bhs-owner@lmi.net"><font color=navy><span style='color:navy'>bhs-owner@lmi.net</span></font></a>. </span></font><font
size=3 color=navy face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:navy'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:navy'>BHS etree archives: <a
href="http://lists.lmi.net/pipermail/bhs/"
title="http://lists.lmi.net/pipermail/bhs/"><font color=navy><span
style='color:navy'>http://lists.lmi.net/pipermail/bhs/</span></font></a>; BHS
PTSA website: <a href="http://www.bhs.berkeleypta.org/"
title="http://www.bhs.berkeleypta.org/"><font color=navy><span
style='color:navy'>http://www.bhs.berkeleypta.org/</span></font></a>. To
unsubscribe from the etree, send an email to <a
href="mailto:bhs-request@lmi.net" title="mailto:bhs-request@lmi.net"><font
color=navy><span style='color:navy'>bhs-request@lmi.net</span></font></a> with
one word only in the subject line: 'unsubscribe'. To post a
message, send to: <a href="mailto:bhs@lmi.net" title="mailto:bhs@lmi.net"><font
color=navy><span style='color:navy'>bhs@lmi.net</span></font></a></span></font><font
color=navy><span style='color:navy'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
11.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Calibri><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
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