Copyrights The MoCo Show 2022 - All Right Reserved. Starting on the Monday following the vandalism, WJ Black Student Union, Minority Scholars Program, WJ Immigration Advocates Club and Uplift WJ decided to offer their meeting times as spaces for reflection and discussion. Two months after a shooting at Col. Zadok Magruder High School left one student with critical injuries, school administrators on Wednesday found a student with a BB gun on campus. Frustrated by the lack of emotional support and response from school administration, Walter Johnson club leaders took matters into their own hands. Our school does not sanction or guarantee the accuracy or propriety of any information, offered services or products contained in any website linked directly or indirectly to our site. Post-Game Chaos Mars WJ-B-CC Playoff Game: We Can Be Athletic Rivals Safely and Respectfully, MCPS: Here are the 20212022 Teacher of the Year Finalists, Beloved Walter Johnson Teacher Dies After Serious Car Crash, B-CC, Walter Johnson Principals Release Joint Statement on Student Arrests. MCPS offers free SAT prep tutoring for high school students, Students bringing weapons to schools causes unrest in community, Substance abuse among youth presents an alarming countywide problem, Jacinda Ardern Continues to Lead Selflessly, New Years Eve machete attack brings fear as cases of public targeted violence rise across the nation, White Island: The eruption that shook the world, Senioritis measures detachment from school, Where are they now? Bos was always happy to let us goof around in his classroom during lunch or after school, creating a truly cherished safe space for us to grow and be ourselves.. we cant have this kind of dissent and division. During her time at WJ Ms. Baker taught Algebra 1, Honors Geometry, Geometry, Algebra 2 and the school's Leadership class. Ms. Baker left Walter Johnson to join Earle B. as a show, given the small number of minority students in the program. Reburn was accompanied by his girlfriend, Valerie Hayes, along with another couple, Frank and Jennifer Amnott of Florida. These matters are considered a violation of the law and school policy. along with two other children. Frank Amnott pleaded guilty two weeks before Christmas to three charges, including conspiracy to kill witnesses, that could result in an immediate life sentence. Grace Mottley was a spring 2020 intern for Montgomery Community Media. The award is given annually by the MCEMSA to highlight the role of administrative leaders in supporting school library media centers. As a principal, sometimes I have to look at the big picture, but I can tell you Ive known Ms. Mac for 25 years and no ones ever said to Ms. Mac before you cant do that show.. Baker explained her reasons for ultimately deciding to change the show at the meeting last Friday. In a message to the school community, Magruder Principal Leroy Evans wrote that administrators and the security staff were told in the afternoon that a student might have a weapon. Please reload the page and try again. Life. The student and two others were brought into the office and their belongings were searched. Hayes convinced, the Amnotts that her three children had been kidnapped and were being held by two families in Dayton. News and information to serve, inform, and inspire every resident of Montgomery County, Maryland. A 16-year-old student at Walter Johnson High School died by suicide Saturday, the school's principal told Walter Johnson families. This third-party data is then indexed through methods similar to those used by Google or Bing to create a listing. Graffiti bearing the same message was also found on a pedestrian bridge over the Capital Beltway, Bethesda Beat reported, as well as some local businesses, according to Fox 5. The Wiz has been performed before at WJ; the most recent production was seven years ago. Walter Johnson HS, the popular Trolley Trail, some local businesses all woke up to graffiti like this. The link above contains resources to help you understand the new rating system and the link to the Walter Johnson Report card. But we can say this: the world is a different place, and WJ is a different school than it was two years ago, and our program must reflect these changes. We know that Walter's political affiliation is currently a registered Republican; ethnicity is Caucasian; and religious views are listed as Christian. document.write(new Date().getFullYear()); In a letter to the Walter Johnson High School community, Principal Jennifer Baker said that the vandalism at the Bethesda school included references to white supremacy and other hate speech and said that these symbols are harmful and unsettling for many in the community. 2023 WTOP. Abigail Constantino started her journalism career writing for a local newspaper in Fairfax County, Virginia. 0 Add Rating Anonymously. See Outside of the classroom she was very involved with the students in co-curricular activities as the math team coach, pompon coach and Student Government Association sponsor. Defacing our school withgraffiti is bad enough, but symbols of hatespeech are harmful and unsettling for manyin our community. We will all miss his incredible wit & humor, never-ending thirst for knowledge, and unwavering love of Bob Dylan, wrote Bonnie Bos in a Caring Bridge post. The purpose was to desegregate, not to segregate. this spring prompted Principal Jennifer Baker to take an unprecedented measure: ask the drama department to change the show. I would also like to take this opportunity to request that parents speak with their children about the seriousness and danger of bringing any kind of weapon or weapon replica on to school property, Evans wrote. people learn more about others, just like Yelp does for * The other websites referenced on this site are owned and operated by their respective companies, and the associated trademarks and logos are the property of those companies. By using our site, you agree to our use of cookies. Students were invited to sit in the bleachers while student leaders such as Onana gave empowering speeches about the encounters Walter Johnson students had with racism and homophobia in their community. Other students felt that while the walkout was inspiring, its assembly-like qualities made it less effective. Walter Johnson High School (also known as Walter Johnson or WJ) is a public upper secondary school located in the census-designated place of North Bethesda, Maryland ( Bethesda postal address). As always, I appreciate your support as westrive to build a safe, welcoming andinclusive environment where all studentscan thrive. Prior to speaking with them [the administration] and understanding the point [of them joining], I felt upset. This is the latest incident involving racist graffiti on a Montgomery County school. Popular. Doing The Wiz at WJ would enhance the idea that white people dominate the theater and thatthe people who were oppressing minorities in the first place can manipulate those works for their own advantage, the student said. Tonight at 10 were talking to community members, and sharing what district told parents. No one was hurt however. Taking into account various assets, Walter's net worth is greater than $250,000 - $499,999; and makes between $30 - 39,999 a year. Reburn, Hayes, and Frank Amnott forced their way into the home holding the father at gunpoint while two young children were sleeping. Sign Up for Our Daily Update. Hayes convinced the Amnotts that her three children had been kidnapped and were being held by two families in Dayton along with two other children. Students at Walter Johnson High School staged a walk-out Friday morning to protest graffiti with white supremacist symbols and hate speech that was found on school property early last. Check Full Reputation Profile We are a wonderfuly diverse communityand we must continue to take a standagainst acts of hate, hateful and harmfulrhetoric. Reviews help The show reinterprets The Wizard of Oz.it was written to give more opportunity to African-Americans at a time when they were underrepresented in musical theatre, director Colleen McAdory said. They proposed a walkout. Following the email that Principal Baker sent out, the WJ administration decided to organize a homeroom presentation on the importance of being anti-racist. The Bos family will not be holding a funeral service at this time, but once large groups are allowed to gather again, they will hold a memorial service in Jon Boss honor. le accused in an attempt to kidnap five kids from their two respective homes and kill their parents in Dayton, Virginia last year. We are very mindful of how such actions may evoke fear and anger and we have worked quickly to cover the images, Baker said. What I was hearing was the potential for a lot of division and unrest, Baker said. Like WTOP on Facebook and follow WTOP on Twitter and Instagram to engage in conversation about this article and others. Walter Johnson Principal Jennifer Baker sent a letter to families of students at the high school over the weekend, outlining the alleged threats and also commending the students who. Do not hesitate to contact meshould you have any questions or concerns. Around 12:30 p.m . businesses, and does affect the Reputation Score. Because MyLife only collects this data and does not create it, we cannot fully guarantee its accuracy. They discussed their selection of The Wiz with the students present. I feel very protective over the spaces we hold and I kind of felt run up on to be completely honest, WJ Black Student Union President and senior Joyce Onana said. View court, arrest, criminal/conviction In an unrelated incident, a student took a BB gun to Walter Johnson High School on Wednesday, according to district leaders. Walter Johnson High School Vandalized with Homophobic and Racist Hate Speech, MCPS offers free SAT prep tutoring for high school students, Students bringing weapons to schools causes unrest in community, Substance abuse among youth presents an alarming countywide problem, Jacinda Ardern Continues to Lead Selflessly, New Years Eve machete attack brings fear as cases of public targeted violence rise across the nation, Senioritis measures detachment from school, Where are they now? Amnotts sentencing is scheduled for May 26. Principal Jennifer Baker Walter Johnson High School, Post-Game Chaos Mars WJ-B-CC Playoff Game: We Can Be Athletic Rivals Safely and Respectfully, MCPS: Here are the 20212022 Teacher of the Year Finalists, Beloved Walter Johnson Teacher Dies After Serious Car Crash, B-CC, Walter Johnson Principals Release Joint Statement on Student Arrests, Bethesda High School Leaders Confront the Problem of Underage Drinking at Town Hall Meeting (VIDEO). In the message, Baker says she was deeply troubled and disheartened tolearn this morning that our school had beenvandalized with graffiti that includedreferences to white supremacy and otherhate speech. S*T*A*G*E members who were opposed to WJ putting on The Wiz thought it would be racially insensitive for a mostly white cast to portray black characters, especially in a show that contains many elements of African-American culture. Former Walter Johnson lacrosse coach caught in a murder kidnapping scandal, Walter Johnson High Schools former lacrosse coach, Gary, Reburn, has been arrested due to a connection with an abnormal attempted kidnapping and murder case. Another S*T*A*G*E member, who wished to remain anonymous, said the show was created as a response to white domination of the theater industry. View Actual Score Check . We are very mindful ofhow such actions may evoke fear andanger and we have worked quickly to coverthe images. Three students involved in altercations after a basketball game between Walter Johnson High School and Bethesda-Chevy . In a message to community members on Thursday morning, Walter Johnson High School Principal Jennifer Baker wrote that Bos "is a beloved member of the WJ community and has touched many lives over . Walter has many family members and associates who include Hugh Mcdowell, Gary Swanson, Koral Casillas, Gary Swanson and Angela Nimmo. While students were voicing their frustrations with the absence of systemic changes at Walter Johnson, administration unexpectedly arrived at the meeting. The incidents come two months and two days following the shooting at Magruder, which stunned the school community on Jan. 21. to see possible family members, friends, co-workers, and associates found from multiple government records, social and public sources. See Whoops! Bos sustained injuries from a serious car accident that took place on the morning of March 13. Reburn, Hayes, and Frank Amnott forced their way into the home holding the father at gunpoint while two young children were sleeping. Complaints from students in Walter Johnsons theater program over the decision to produce The Wiz this spring prompted Principal Jennifer Baker to take an unprecedented measure: ask the drama department to change the show. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. 2023 Montgomery Community Media. Hayes and Reburn got away leaving Frank Amnott alone to be arrested by a Rockingham County Sheriff Deputy. Montgomery Community Media. Youth. Baker's message only said that Reburn had been arrested "for his role in an attempted murder and kidnapping in Virginia." She wrote that Reburn was previously the girls lacrosse coach at the school, but did not elaborate. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. However, an opinion is not a fact. The walkout gave students a better understanding of why the vandalism was so emotionally damaging to the community. . The schools community engagement officer worked with the security staff to confiscate the weapon, she wrote. This is an extremely serious offense with significant consequences, Baker wrote. Walter Johnson High School Principal Jennifer Baker Sends Letter to Students After School Was Vandalized Over the Weekend With White Supremacist Graffiti written by Patrick Herron October 4, 2021 Walter Johnson Principal Jennifer Baker sent a message to students after white supremacist graffiti was found on school property over the weekend. All Rights Reserved. The violators will receive a very serious disciplinary consequence in alignment with the MCPS Student Code of Conduct. Jennifer Baker, Principal of Walter Johnson high school, said. nied by his girlfriend, Valerie Hayes, along with another couple, Frank and Jennifer Amnott of Florida. I have so much I would like to see from the county and my school but in order to do any of that we need to be able to make our environments more intolerant, Onana said. I am grateful and honored to have known him.. He is one of the four people accused in an attempt to kidnap five kids from their two respective homes and kill their parents in Dayton, Virginia last year. Those being recognized are: Clarksburg Elementary School Principal Carl Bencal, and Walter Johnson High School Principal Jennifer Baker, and Walter Johnson Assistant Principals Regina Rodriguez and Jeff Leaman. I appreciate our communitymembers who alerted me and thank ourstaff who took swift action to have thegraffiti removed. We know that nothing has changed.. So, if anybody needs anything at all, all they need to do is reach out to a trusted adult., Caitlynn Peetz can be reached at caitlynn.peetz@bethesdda-remix.newspackstaging.com, Daily Newsletter: MoCo360 Today During his time as a teacher, Bos taught AP Literature and Composition, directed musicals, and served as a mentor to high school students, according to a GoFundMe page set up to help the Bos family offset sudden financial costs. 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