Kennedy Principal Sends Letter To The Community Explaining Friday’s Shelter-In-Place

John F. Kennedy High School principal Vickie Adamson sent a letter to the community following what was described as a “loud, intense, verbal conflict” that included serious threats made between the students that caused the school to go into a Shelter-in-Place on Friday, February 2nd. A fire alarm at the school was also accidentally by an MCPS employee who was working on the alarm system less than hour after the fight.

The full statement can be seen below:

“Dear John F. Kennedy High School Students, Staff, and Families,

I am writing to share that at approximately 9:37 AM, we went into a Shelter-in-Place when two students were engaged in a loud, intense, verbal conflict in the second floor hallway. Security and administrators responded and the students involved moved through the halls, until they were approached and directed to the office. We cleared the hallways of student spectators to keep everyone safe. There was no disruption to regular classroom instruction. The shelter was lifted at 9:47 AM.

Because of the seriousness of the conflict and threats that were made between students, I contacted the Montgomery County Department of Systemwide Safety and Emergency Management and the MCPS Office of School Support and Well-being (OSSWB). Police were dispatched to the school at approximately 9:40 am.

Shortly after this, the fire alarm sounded at 10:30 AM. Though it appeared the incidents may have been related, the fire alarm was accidentally tripped by an MCPS maintenance employee who was working on the fire alarm system at the time. As per MCPS protocol, Fire and Rescue arrived on scene to clear the alarm and verify that it was safe to reenter the building. After safely evacuating the building, students returned back to class at 10:41 AM.

During the drill, students were exceptionally well behaved and following directions. We appreciate the cooperation of the entire student body and are proud of the way each student handled the situation.

I will close with the reminder that everyone can reach out anonymously to report any school or student safety concerns, including mental health concerns through the Maryland Center for School Safety’s Safe Schools Tipline (1-833-MD-B-SAFE / 1-833-632-7233). For further information on the approach to emergency preparedness in MCPS, please visit the Department of Systemwide Safety and Emergency Management’s website.

Thank you,

Ms. Vickie Adamson

Principal

John F. Kennedy High School”