EMS S2 Week 8 Announcements
The Know-whats and Know-hows at Estacada Middle School
The Principal's Message
Last week, you received correspondence directly from the district, in coordination with me, your Principal, to inform you about the events that took place last week at EMS. These emails were sent out quickly as we worked to secure the building and ensure all students’ safety. This communication is to provide more details about this past week’s incidents and serve the purpose of debunking and dispelling rumors that may be circulating throughout the community.
There were three unique and disruptive occurrences that took place last week. First, during a nationally recognized walk-out, a group of students were heard chanting derogatory remarks outside of our school. The reaction online and the frustration felt by many students and families heightened tension within the school. Then at the end of the day on Thursday, March 15th graffiti was discovered in the girl’s bathroom and again on March 16th near the middle of the day. The acts of vandalism included the words “bomb,” “soon,” “gun,” “kill,” and other expletives. The writing also included threats toward three staff members (all of whom have been notified), threats against the entire school, as well as inappropriate comments, but no student names. My actions of 1) informing the police, 2) acquiring our SRO to EMS for the full day, 3) ensuring student safety by asking students to stay in class while evidence was documented, and 4) sending out information to families all played a role in heightening, even further, the tension at EMS.
I am working to locate the offender by using our school’s newly operational camera system. The police and I have interviewed many of the students who entered the bathroom during the time frame of the graffiti. What makes this difficult, however, is our access to view inside the bathroom for obvious legal reasons. These limitations have slowed the progress of the investigation. I wholeheartedly appreciate the phone calls you are providing me about distressed students and other thoughts. Please continue to send them my way. As you are having conversations with your student, please encourage students to use the Safe Oregon reporting tool below.
I acknowledge the writing is very concerning. And, with that being said, I do believe it is safe for students to return to school on Monday and our District’s School Resource Officer will be present. We will be implementing a new check-out procedure when students are leaving class and will be closing the north wing of our school where this writing was discovered. We will continue to be kind, positive, and honest. If you wish to volunteer your time to be in our hallways and in our classrooms with students, please send us an e-mail and set up a time in which you are available. You must, though, have a cleared background check (available in the office). Thank you for your dedication to your student’s learning and our mission to keep all schools safe.
Sincerely and optimistic,
Ben Hargrave
Safe Oregon: Student Safety and Bullying/Harassment Reporting
Parent Club Meeting (3rd Tuesday of Each Month)
Tuesday, Mar 20, 2018, 06:30 PM
Estacada Middle School
EHS Football Meeting: Thursday, March 22
Who? All 8th Graders interested in HS football
What? Meeting about Football and Weight Training next school year
Where? Gym (bring your signed yellow pass from your teacher)
Why? Talk about Summer workouts/camps, and weights at EHS
Service Learning
Grace Holmes at State Spelling Bee
EMS OBOB Participants earn 4th place (out of 31 teams)! See the image below. Go Tigers!
Yearbook Purchase Deadline on Monday 3/19
Progress Reports and Student Grades
Estacada Middle School
Email: emsinfo@estacada.k12.or.us
Website: www.ejhs.estacada.k12.or.us
Location: 500 NE Main Street, Estacada, OR 97027
Phone: (503) 630-8516
Facebook: facebook.com/estacadamiddleschool
Twitter: @estacadams