UPDATE: Beaumont High Principal Says Students May be Offered Opportunities to Address Diversity

Update 1 p.m. Students who were involved in tension on and off campus at Beaumont High earlier this week were not at school Thursday, and counselors may be available to students who are at the school to talk about diversity, Principal Marilyn Saucedo tells Banning-Beaumont Patch.

"The tension that existed was between two small groups who are not on campus at this time," Saucedo said in an email shortly after noon Oct. 24. "It is rarely an issue on our campus which is a good thing. Even so, we will be talking with our counseling department for assistance in providing students with opportunities to address the topic of diversity."

As a precaution, Beaumont police officers are providing extra patrol at the high school for the remainder of the week, City of Beaumont spokeswoman Darci Mulvihill said shortly before noon Thursday.

Posted 11:15 a.m. Beaumont High principal Marilyn Saucedo said Thursday morning there was no fight on or off campus on Tuesday, one day before police and deputies added extra patrols in response to a social media post implying someone was going to bring a weapon to school.

"We have had no fights on our campus," Saucedo said in a phone interview Oct. 24. "There was no fight at Beaumont Sports Park."

Beaumont police searched a student's home Wednesday for weapons and found none, according to city and police officials.

Saucedo said she sent the following ConnectEd phone message to parents Wednesday afternoon:

Good afternoon. This is Marilyn Saucedo, Principal at Beaumont High School. In an effort to keep you informed, I would like to share information regarding yesterday.

During the day yesterday, it became apparent that there was tension building between two groups of students on our campus. An Assistant Principal met with some of those students to address the issue.

Contrary to rumors, there were no fights on our campus during the school day, however tension was tentative.

To ensure the safety of our students on their way home, we contacted Beaumont PD to patrol the sports park area. Police, as well as admin and security, presence was visible at the sports park. Students were asked to continue home and most did so.

There was a group, however, that chose not to follow directives given. Some of those who were inciting and/or belligerent were dealt with immediately by law and enforcement and with school consequences.

There were no fights as most BHS students were cooperative but inquisitive. They move along as directed.

There are quite a few rumors including that of a threat of a weapon.

That situation has already been addresses by law enforcement and all school resources have been put into place.

Today at lunch, Beaumont Police Department officers were present on our campus to support the school and to address any concerns that might still exist for parents. It was a celebratory day as students look forward this week's Homecoming activities.

To avoid miscommunication and misinformation, please contact a BHS Administrator for any further clarification.

Thank you.

Here's a statement from Darci Mulvihill, a spokeswoman for the City of Beaumont and the Police Department, released Wednesday evening in response to questions from Banning-Beaumont Patch:

On Tuesday, October 22, 2013, the Beaumont Police Department received a call regarding a possible fight taking place at the Beaumont Sports Park after the high school let out for the day.

Officers responded and two juveniles were cited for interfering with officers. Other students who gathered to watch the fight were escorted out of the area by officers and school security staff to ensure no other fights occurred.

On Wednesday, October 23, 2013, staff from the high school reported that they had received information via social media that a student made comments inferring that they might bring a weapon to class. 

The Beaumont Police Department initiated an investigation utilizing the Riverside County Kids with Guns Protocol as a precaution.

No weapons were located at the student's residence. Officers from Beaumont and the Riverside County Sheriff's Department provided extra patrols at the high school and sports park throughout the day to ensure the safety of the students.

Scheduled activities on campus Thursday at Beaumont High include girls volleyball games to promote breast cancer awareness.

"Come out to support breast cancer awareness this Thursday, October 24th, at the girls volleyball games," a calendar item states. "Wear your pink and be ready to donate to the Susan G. Komen Foundation to support this important cause. Freshmen and Junior Varsity play at 3:15 p.m. and Varsity begins at 4:30 p.m."