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Welcome North Families,
The plan was to send a newsletter out to families this evening, sharing pictures and celebrating the first day of school. And while we are still doing that, another message has taken precedence.
Last night you received a message from me regarding a potential threat of violence being investigated by the Menomonee Falls Police Department. While these situations are always challenging to navigate, the timing of being on the first day of school made this extra difficult. Our guiding principle has always been, and will continue to be, to ensure the safety of students and staff, and where it does not compromise that safety, to communicate clearly and transparently with our families. Yesterday was a prime example; As soon as we received the all clear from the Menomonee Falls Police Department, we messaged our families informing them of the incident.
While there is still an ongoing investigation, and as students of North Middle School are minors, details that can be shared are limited. Yet there are three main points that I can share with students and families. The comments under investigation happened earlier in the summer, but were not reported until yesterday. School safety is all of our responsibility, and we can best ensure our school is safe for all when all members of the school community speak out and report any suspicions or concerning behavior. Menomonee Falls School District has a partnership with Speak Up Speak Out Wisconsin, providing students, family members, and concerned community members with a pathway to anonymously reporting threats. These reports are shared directly with school administrators and law enforcement, providing around the clock response to tips. To access Speak Up Speak Out Wisconsin, you can visit their website at speakup.widoj.gov.
A second detail I am able to share is that the incident under investigation included the use of racially charged language, inflaming a conflict and contributing to the escalation of threats. Families with returning students to North have heard the message from me before that racially charged language will not be tolerated at North, and will be addressed with serious consequences. I cannot encourage you enough to talk to your students about this topic and ensure they understand that this type of language has no place in their communication.
Lastly, while this has been said before, I cannot stress enough that all school threats are taken seriously and are investigated by both North Administration and the Menomonee Falls Police Department. These investigations frequently result in both legal consequences as well as school consequences. Students need to understand that these comments will never be viewed as a joke and simply cannot be said, written, or posted.
Thank you to all of our families for trusting us with your students. I know in today’s world that is not a simple thing. I am grateful to all our families for your support and partnership in ensuring our school is a safe place for all.
Shine On!
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