It is with regret and concern that we write this letter to you. We had an unfortunate and serious bullying issue take place at our school, and many rumors are flying in our small and concerned community.

Earlier this week, we received a phone call alerting us to a bullying incident that had occurred at school. We immediately took action with an investigation and gave full due process to those involved.  The investigation did result in consequences, per our policies, with suspensions from school and athletics. We are also taking action to support students involved through counseling, in the ways appropriate for them, as we move forward following the incident.

While I cannot disclose the confidential information of those involved or details of our school investigation, I know there are many rumors floating with incorrect information. Facts I can give to dispel the rumors are this:  this incident occurred among middle school boys only; there were no sexual crimes committed.

As a fellow parent of a student and as the principal in this great school, I understand the emotion and concerns about student safety. Please know that we are taking action to address student safety, physically and emotionally, as we process and deal with this incident. We are doing the following to keep students safe at school:

• Increased staff supervision in the hallways, locker rooms, and playground/playing fields during lunch.

• Increased staff awareness and diligence in not allowing physical horseplay or games that allow tackling of students when out on the playing field or playground.

• Continuing ongoing bullying/bystander/reporting education among all students, using researched based curriculum, small group and individual counseling (with both school counselors and contracted therapists, as appropriate), and role playing through our experiential based off island overnight trips.

• Increasing small group bullying education among middle school students through literacy based units.

• Continuing and increasing parent communication about bullying or harassing behaviors among students.

• Increasing the communication, visibility and role modeling of our student leadership groups (Natural Helpers, Student Council) for peer support and education around bullying.

Lopez community, we need your help. The education around bullying behaviors and how to deal with bullying behaviors will always be ongoing. This is not a problem unique to Lopez School. We need to keep in perspective that we have good kids, good families, and a strong supportive community that demands high expectations of respect for and among our diverse collection of individual members. This stands true for our school community, as well as our larger Lopez community.  This incident demands that we remain partners in education of our children to teach the importance of respect and to talk to our youth about reporting bullying, and what behavior and language crosses the line into teasing, harassment and bullying.

The developmental age of middle school students is a crucial time to instill exactly what behavior is appropriate and what is not. This education is an on-going, and constant process. They need us more than ever as they navigate the complicated social norms, and continue the path to be the citizens we all want them to be.

Listed below are ways that community members can also help us educate our children about bullying. It will take all of us. We can all help by:

• Talking with children about what is happening at school.

• Communicating with school staff when students share incidences of harassment and bullying; please do not assume students will tell us, or that we know.

• Talking with children often about how to treat others with respect and how to solve conflict.

• Talk with parents in our community.

• Be clear with children about what disrespectful behaviors are.

• Transparent, honest and clear communication with children.

• Talk openly about what is bullying and how to speak up if you are a bystander or hear of bullying incidences; this takes incredible courage for students and is very difficult at this developmental age.

• Communicate openly and frequently with school staff.

• Pay attention to the good behaviors when we see them and let kids know that is the expectation.

Contact us with any questions or concerns. You can reach us at 468-2202. Lisa is at extension 2250, Jeanna at extension 2214, and Bill at extension 2350.

Principal Lisa Shelby

Counselor Jeanna Carter

Superintendent Bill Evans