Righetti Enforces District’s Intervention Plan

Social media posts and text messages interfered with Ernest Righetti High School last week, now the district is enforcing a proactive SMJUHSD intervention plan.

Fueled by text messages and social media, rumors spread around the Righetti High School campus on Friday. Parents lined up around noon to pick their kids up as the school shut down early.

In response, the Santa Maria Joint Union High School District is enforcing its intervention plan.

Edwin Weaver, a parent of Righetti students, said, “The school is going to be doing some things to improve communication.”

Weaver said “Like many, they (his children) are sad there is so much negative attention going on.

As a parent I have a lot of trust in the school to take care of it and to do so professionally, and I was glad to hear they’ve got a plan in place.”

District superintendent Mark Richardson said, “We are confident that our intervention plan is helping students and parents understand that unsubstantiated rumor promulgated through the irresponsible use of social media interferes with the educational process.”

The intervention plan includes an increase in communication.

There will be an intervention staff talking to students about responsible social media use.

Students can’t tweet or post to social media during the school day.

Weaver said, “What you say online is public it doesn’t go away.” As a parent, Weaver said parents should speak with their kids about social media, saying, “When you say a disparaging remark about your school, that reflects your school. So, lets go Warrior proud. Let’s say good things about the school when good things are happening, and let’s not let a couple of good kids ruin it for the rest of us.”