2 students arrested following Maryland high school lockdown, handgun and BB gun recovered

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Md. (7News) — A school in Montgomery County, Maryland, was on lockdown after reports of a gun on the campus. Two students were arrested, while a handgun and a BB gun were recovered around 12:55 p.m., according to county police.

Northwood High School on Old Georgetown Road was placed on a "secure" status at around 11 a.m. after reports of a person on campus with a gun. Police later determined the weapon was a toy.

Police then lifted the secure status, but placed the school on lockdown after learning of another student with a firearm at around 12:20 p.m...

https://wjla.com/news/local/2-two-students-arrested-maryland-high-school-lockdown-bb-gun-mcps-northwood-high-school-gun-on-campus-montgomery-county-department-of-police-school-shooting-school-violence-juvenile-crime-minor-campus-shooting

Northwood HS at former Woodward Site: 43 buses

First Day at Northwood Brings Optimism Mixed with Traffic Challenges

...According to officials from the MCPS Department of Transportation, 43 buses entered another parking lot to deliver students. Meanwhile southbound SUV’s trying to make turns into the school grounds were impeded by bike lane posts. They had to maneuver a Y turn which led to backups in both lanes. Some parents mistakenly used the bike lanes to exit school grounds amid the first day confusion.

https://www.mymcmedia.org/first-day-at-northwood-brings-optimism-mixed-with-traffic-challenges/?fbclid=IwY2xjawE6yGtleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHVWFQV2EprWSmGf-PoxdD7t20BulQQQ3gkAaNJhcgvEqK93gAt3bOknr8A_aem_Ui4LX4rNJgDgjoyYZbkHnQ

Former Northwood High Track Coach Sentenced for Sexual Abuse of a Minor

Giovanni Reumante, 34, of Takoma Park, was sentenced to one year in prison followed by three years of supervised probation after he pleaded guilty to sex abuse of one of his athletes when she was a minor.

Reumante, who was sentenced Wednesday, will be a registered sex offender for life.

He waived two years of credit for time that he has served in prison. He pled guilty in November of 2022.

Reumante was a track and field coach at Northwood High School for several years, beginning in 2013. He also was a paraeducator at the school. According to court documents, the victim was one of his athletes before 2014 to 2017...

https://www.mymcmedia.org/former-northwood-high-track-coach-sentenced-for-sexual-abuse-of-a-minor/

Principal's letter regarding scheduled walkout at Northwood High School

 Letter from Northwood Principal Jonathan Garrick

to Northwood High School Parents about the Palestinian Walkout

 

Good morning Northwood community:

 

Students representing our Muslim Student Association (MSA) approached me to propose a student walkout during 7th period (approximately 1:30pm) on Friday, November 17, 2023. Per MCPS BOE regulation, students are permitted to demonstrate peacefully regarding social and political issues and MSA students have followed appropriate protocols. To protect student safety, student organizers have requested use of the Northwood athletic field. 

 

Please note this action is not approved or supported by Northwood or MCPS and students walking out of class will receive an unexcused absence and the MCPS Code of Conduct and Student Culture of Respect apply to student protests. I have also spoken with walkout organizers and they are very aware of the intensity of opinions on both sides of the current conflict in Gaza and Israel and are avoiding specific phrases and slogans which could be hurtful or derogatory against other members of our community.

 

While this is not a Northwood sanctioned activity, members of our security and admin teams will ensure students are safe. Staff may not bring whole classes to the walkout as this must be a volunteer choice made by students.

 

Please speak with your student about this student proposal and how they should handle it whether they are in support or opposing the organizers' views. 

 

If you need any support for your student about this issue, please contact your student's counselor. If you have questions about the student walkout proposal, please contact me directly (Jonathan_L_Garrick@mcpsmd.org).

 

WUSA9: Friday Night Fights: Game between 2 MCPS high schools ends early after fight

The fight was between players from John F. Kennedy High School and Northwood High School.

WHEATON-GLENMONT, Md. — A fight between players forced a high school football game to end early on Friday night, according to a letter sent home by the two schools' principals.

The game between John F. Kennedy High School and Northwood High School ended in the first quarter, according to the letter from Kennedy Principal Vickie Adamson and Northwood Principal Johnathan Garrick...

Fight ends MCPS football game early | wusa9.com

4 Northwood High School students rob another student in bathroom, police sources say

SILVER SPRING, Md. (7News) — Four Northwood High School students are accused of robbing a fellow student of his shoes inside of a school bathroom, police sources tell 7News.

Around 10:45 a.m. Wednesday, Montgomery County Police were called to Northwood. Multiple patrol units, including the assigned community engagement officer, responded.

According to police sources, four male students "ganged up" on the juvenile victim in the bathroom. Two of the juvenile suspects assaulted the victim while the other two suspects passed the victim's shoes back and forth, sources added. No weapons were used...

https://wjla.com/news/local/four-northwood-high-school-students-rob-fellow-student-in-bathroom-police-sources-say

Press Release: High School Track Coach Wanted for Sexual Assault Arrested at Airport; Additional Victims a Concern

 For Immediate Release: Thursday, December 30, 2021

Gaithersburg, MD - On Oct. 27, 2021, the Special Victims Investigations Division began an investigation into the sexual assault of a now adult victim by her former track coach and school security assistant, 31-year-old Giovanni Di Angelo Reumante of Takoma Park, MD.

The assaults took place while the victim was a student at Northwood High School where Reumante had been a track coach since 2013.

The investigation revealed that Reumante allegedly engaged in sexual contact with at least one student during and after school hours. A warrant was obtained for Reumante’s arrest on Dec. 23, and attempts were made to serve that warrant.

On Dec. 29, 2021, investigators learned that Reumante returned to the United States on a flight from the Dominican Republic.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection at Dulles International Airport placed Reumante under arrest for his active arrest warrant.

Investigators are concerned that Giovanni Di Angelo Reumante might have targeted additional students. Anyone with additional information is asked to contact the Montgomery County Police Special Victims Investigations Division at 240-773-5400.

 

Ryan Sprouse @RSprouseNews · #Breaking Dulles CBP Arrest 2 wanted Men on Felony Child Molestation Charges today One of those men, Giovanni Di Angelo Reumante 31yo from Takona Park, MD was a MCPS security assistant and track & field coach who is currently on admin leave from Northwood HS per schools. @wusa9

#Breaking Dulles CBP Arrest 2 wanted Men on Felony Child Molestation Charges today One of those men, Giovanni Di Angelo Reumante 31yo from Takona Park, MD was a MCPS security assistant and track & field coach who is currently on admin leave from Northwood HS per schools. @wusa9 pic.twitter.com/2VOMQN132f

— Ryan Sprouse (@RSprouseNews) December 29, 2021

NORTHWOOD STUDENT BROUGHT AMMUNITION TO SCHOOL WEDNESDAY

A 15-year-old Northwood High School student is in custody after it was discovered he brought two rounds of ammunition to school with him on Wednesday.

According to Montgomery County Police, an anonymous tip led the high school staff to conduct a self-search, which is when the rounds of ammunition were found. The school then called police as the student fled the campus on University Boulevard.

The Silver Spring high school went into shelter in place, as did nearby Forest Knolls Elementary School.

A Montgomery County Police K9 search of the area recovered a handgun, not on school property. It is not yet known if this handgun belonged to the student, police said...

https://www.mymcmedia.org/northwood-student-brought-ammunition-to-school-wednesday/

Northwood HS Reports positive COVID-19 test for staff member.

October 9, 2020

Dear MCPS Community:

We are writing to share that a Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) food and nutrition services staff member working at the Northwood High School meal distribution site has reported a positive test of COVID-19. The last date the employee worked at the Northwood distribution site was Thursday, Oct. 8. Out of an abundance of caution, we have asked other employees who worked with the affected staff member to self-quarantine for 14 days since their last contact with the employee. In addition, we are sharing this so anyone who visited the school prior to or on Oct. 8 can self-monitor for symptoms. Based on discussions with the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services, we believe the risk level to students and families is low. The employee used masks and gloves—consistent with CDC guidance. MCPS has temporarily closed the school kitchen for cleaning and will use a mobile delivery truck through Oct. 14 to continue food distribution at Northwood High School, in accordance with CDC guidelines for physical distancing. We ask community members who use the Northwood food site to monitor for symptoms and to contact your health provider if you display symptoms or have any questions. 

Sincerely,

Montgomery County Public Schools 

'They're killing us.' School break-ins up 100% in Montgomery Co. over this time last year

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Md. (ABC7) — School break-ins are up 100 percent in Montgomery County when compared to this time last year, Montgomery County Police Department statistics show.

Between January 1 and April 30, 2019, eight schools were burglarized across Montgomery County. Yet, between January 1 and April 16 of this year, there have been 16 school burglaries.

Police data shows 62.5 percent of the 2020 school break-ins have taken place between March 1 and April 16. Authorities believe COVID-19 boredom is a primary culprit for the increase.

"A lot of it is juveniles thinking this is a cool thing to do, and it's just not," said Capt. Tom Jordan, a spokesman for the Montgomery County Police Department. "People just having too much time on their hands."..

https://wjla.com/news/local/theyre-killing-us-school-break-ins-up-100-in-montgomery-co-over-this-time-last-year?fbclid=IwAR24nitXcPISxIVSAAXKrIJcFEaC0cc8OOsvhyH89Oww25tHdvLOufMi8-Q

NEW: School break-ins are up 100% in MoCo when compared to this time last year, police department statistics show.

Between Jan. 1, and April 30, 2019, eight schools were burglarized across MoCo.

Between Jan. 1, and April 16, of this year, there have been 16 school burglaries. pic.twitter.com/owfaFKtHfd

— Kevin Lewis (@ABC7Kevin) April 24, 2020

Cell Tower Vendors on Board of Education Land Owe $165,000 in Property Taxes #Again

The Montgomery County Board of Education has cell towers on 12 pieces of public school land. 11 of those cell towers are on Board of Education property where a public school is currently located.

7 of those cell towers have vendors who have not been paying their Maryland Property Taxes. The amount of property tax dues for each vendor is shown in the images below.  The account number is shown on the MCPS list of cell towers and on the property tax bills below. Note some cell towers have multiple vendors.

The Parents' Coalition discovered unpaid property taxes in 2013, and in 2015, and in 2016, and again in 2017, on cell tower compounds located on Board of Education land. 

MCPS Teacher/Soccer Coach tells Board of Ed.: "Because of concerns about safety, does not want an artificial turf field of any kind"

A New Northwood with the Same Problems

Over the course of the next six years, Montgomery County will fund an expansion project for Northwood High School to increase the building's student capacity from 1,500 to 2,700 seats. According to Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) projections, the project will be completed in 2024, two years after the school is expected to exceed its population capacity. This reflects a broader trend of overpopulation prevalent throughout MCPS. Walter Johnson, Poolesville, Gaithersburg, Kennedy and Montgomery Blair High School are also estimated to surpass their current student capacity limit within the next decade.

The population of Montgomery County has been steadily increasing ever since 2008 and the implications of this expand beyond tangible problems such as space and building size. While the number of students in MCPS has increased, the rate of new teachers hired has not risen proportionally. This has resulted in the average class size increasing by 7.49 students from the 2017-2018 school year to present day . Blair junior Yenny Jiron reflects on how class size has affected her education. "Teachers are overwhelmed with students so there is a lack of one on one time. I find myself hating even days because in my eighth period there are around 40 students. The class is exhausting," Jiron described.

Studies have shown that larger class sizes have an effect on the quality of education students are receiving. Research by the 2015 Public Policy Department at Berkeley University revealed that the average student in a small classroom (15-20 students) has a reading and math score nearly nine percent higher than a student in a medium-sized class (20-26 students)...

https://silverchips.mbhs.edu/content/a-new-northwood-with-the-same-problems-31758/

Incident at Varsity Football Game

From: Mildred Charley-Greene <noreply@mcpsmd.org>
Date: Sat, Nov 4, 2017 at 3:50 PM
Subject: Incident at Varsity Football Game
To: Northwood High 

Good Afternoon Gladiator Families,

I am contacting you to make you aware of an incident that occurred at last night’s varsity football game against Springbrook High School played here at Northwood. During the first quarter, an on-field altercation between players led to spectators on the sidelines and in the stands coming onto the field. Springbrook Principal Art Williams and I, working with the athletic directors from both schools, made the decision to end the game due to public safety concerns. With the support of Montgomery County Police and administrators and security from Northwood and Springbrook, spectators from both teams were separated and the stadium was cleared. We are working with MCPS athletics to conduct a full investigation, including the review of game film, to identify the cause of this incident and to address unsafe and unsportsmanlike behavior. 

I regret that our senior athletes and their families who were to be presented at half time were not recognized due to this incident. We appreciate the hard work of student athletes who uphold our core values of respect and responsibility. I will be working with the athletic director, Mr. Fuggitti, and student athletes to determine a venue for celebrating these Gladiators.

Thank you for your support.

Best,

M. Charley-Greene

Breaking News: 2 Arrests in 2 Days - Montgomery County substitute teacher arrested for sexual abuse of teen student #BlairHS #NorthwoodHS

SILVER SPRING, Md. - A Montgomery County substitute teacher has been arrested after police say he was involved in a sexual relationship with a 16-year-old female student.

Montgomery County police say detectives began investigating 27-year-old Cory Boatman on Sept. 22 after it was reported that he was engaging in the sexual relationship with the teenage victim who attends Montgomery Blair High School in Silver Spring.

According to investigators, Boatman met the 16-year-old victim while he was working at the school as a substitute teacher and assistant football coach at Blair. The girl told investigators that Boatman began sending suggestive text messages to her in early August. Later that month, Boatman picked her up at her home and drove her to his residence where they had sexual intercourse.

...Montgomery County Public Schools says Boatman has been placed on administrative leave...

http://www.fox5dc.com/news/local-news/montgomery-county-substitute-teacher-arrested-for-sexual-abuse-of-teen-student

Superintendent Smith Proposes Busing Blair, Einstein, Kennedy and Northwood Students to Fill Woodward HS in Rockville

Montgomery County Public Schools Superintendent Jack R. Smith is proposing a roundtable to evaluate how to ease Walter Johnson High School overcrowding by reopening Woodward High School.  As part of this evalutation, Superintendent Smith proposes that students from 4 out of 5 Down County Consortium high schools be bused to the re-opened Woodward High School.


Below is the response from the Down County Consortium PTA representatives to this proposal.

   DCC Testimony in Response to Supplement B MCPS CIP Hearing 11.14.2016 by Parents' Coalition of Montgomery County, Maryland on Scribd

High school attempted rape suspect tells ABC7, "I'm innocent"

So Far, the Prize for Most Ripped Off Kids at Graduation - Northwood HS

Its hard to say whether Northwood HS is charging more or less for the honor of walking down the aisle for graduation ceremonies.

In 2010, Northwood assessed a senior fee of $140 dollars, but let students who only wanted to attend graduation fork over $40.

This year, the senior fee is $75.  We can't say what the fee covers, only that of the three schools reporting in so far, this one is the clear top dollar.

Senior Northwood HS Dues - Class of 2015 Full Payment - Online School Payments_ Montgomery County Public Sc...

Payments go directly through an MCPS website. How convenient is this? But - how do you know the money even goes to Northwood? Where does the receipt of the funds appear in the budget?