SAN RAMON, Calif. – An assistant principal at California High School was physically assaulted by two students from another high school on October 19. The assault happened in a parking lot outside the school’s homecoming dance.
The incident happened at about 8:45 p.m. after two students from another high school left the dance early, reports ABC7News. The vice principal then approached the two students, telling them that they were not allowed to leave the dance early. One of the students assaulted the administrator, dragging her by the hair across the parking lot. Both students then fled.
Related Article: De-Escalating Angry People: A Critical Safety Skill in Education and Healthcare
The San Ramon Police Department quickly responded to the altercation and later than evening, arrested a 16 year-old male who attends a different high school in the same district. He’s been charged with felony assault and kidnapping.
Immediately after the assault, the assistant principal was taken from California High School to a local hospital where she was treated for her injuries. According to police, she did not require “extended hospitalization.”
SRVUSD Superintendent Responds to Assault on California High School Assistant Principal
In response to the assault, San Ramon Valley Unified School District Superintendent CJ Camack released the following statement:
We are writing to share information about a troubling incident that occurred during the Homecoming Dance on Saturday at California High School in San Ramon. An Assistant Principal approached two students in the parking lot, and during this interaction, one of the students physically assaulted our Assistant Principal, and the students then left the parking lot. The two students involved in this matter are not Cal High students but are enrolled in another SRVUSD high school. Our Cal High staff, families, and students have already received a communication about this situation.
We want to be clear that, in no uncertain terms, this conduct will not be tolerated at Cal High or at any school in SRVUSD. We care deeply about the safety and well-being of our students, as well as all of our staff.
The San Ramon Police Department (SRPD) responded quickly and later that night, a juvenile was taken into custody by the SRPD. We will continue to cooperate fully with the SRPD on their investigation. SRVUSD will also conduct a comprehensive investigation and will pursue all disciplinary consequences to the fullest extent permissible by law. We want to be clear that, in no uncertain terms, we take the safety of our students and our staff as a top priority. Unsafe conduct will not be tolerated at Cal High or at any school in SRVUSD.
Related Article: Fort Worth Schools Enact Weapons Detection for Graduations, Extracurricular Events
We recognize this incident, and hearing/reading about it may be troubling for students, staff, and our community. We want to remind you that each of our schools has options for students to receive counseling support, and we encourage you to reach out to your Principal if you feel your student could benefit from speaking with someone.
This incident is not a reflection of the outstanding character and conduct of our student population at Cal High or in SRVUSD as a whole. As we shared directly with the Cal High community, we all have a collective responsibility to care for one another and ensure that each and every site in SRVUSD is a place where all members of our community are safe, both physically and emotionally.
The San Ramon Police Department (SRPD) has taken the lead on the investigation into this matter, and if you have any information you would like to share, please contact the SRPD Investigations Division at (925) 973-2700, as well as your school administration.