Cardiff School District
Announcements

2007-2008

 

Message from Superintendent Tom Pellegrino...Child Predator in Cardiff

Cardiff and Ada Harris Parents,

This information was provided to Cardiff's administration on 5/6/08. Please contact the Sheriff's Station (760-966-3558) and the district (760-632-5890) if a man fitting this description is observed. I am sending this information to you with the advice to talk with your children about this incident and the man's description if your children are old enough to walk to school by themselves or with other students or are allowed to play unsupervised for any length of time. All parents with younger children should have the "safe adults" and the "don't know adults/strangers" discussion with your children. There is an online resource to guide you through this discussion.

Since we know not all parents will receive or read the email alert, I've directed all 4th-6th grade teachers to discuss the incident below. I've asked teachers to: Read the quoted alert, praise the actions of the child in this incident, highlight safe practices (travel with friends, play near a trusted adult's home, don't fall for tricks like "Can you help me find this puppy's home?") and answer students' questions. If teachers send a weekly letter home, I've asked for the alert to be included in that information as well.

There are also many resources online. I have selected two for your review:

 

San Diego Sheriff's Bulletin-Encinitas Station

"On 5-2-08, at 1720 hours (5:20PM), a ten year old victim was riding her push scooter to a friend's residence located at 933 Woodgrove Drive. An unknown suspect, described as a white male adult, between 50-60 years of age, salt and pepper mustache, wearing a gray t-shirt, blue jeans, black boots, black full faced motorcycle helmet and riding a pink and purple motorcycle with a large black leather seat with the word Mexico printed on it, stopped in front of the above address and shouted, "Hey, do you want a ride home? I'll drop you off on my way home!" The victim got scared and ran to her friend's house. The suspect continued westbound on Woodgrove Drive out of sight. Forward any information to: Detective R Stevenson, Encinitas Sheriff's Station, 760-966-3558."

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to discuss this with your school principal or me!

Thanks for your help protecting our children!

Tom Pellegrino
Superintendent
Cardiff School District
760.632.5890
760.942.5831 (fax)
tpellegr@sdcoe.net