JMS Parents and Families,
I want to take a moment and ask for your help. Unfortunately, we have been hearing about and working to address situations in which some JMS students have been making hurtful and inappropriate comments to other students at school. Concerns that I have heard most recently tend to have to do with some students making ignorant or harassing comments to others about race. This has included repeating untrue stereotypes and/or using racist terms or phrases. These situations have not been only limited to race, but that has been a common theme.
I have been encouraged by some recent conversations that I have had with parents and students, and from that wanted to enlist the help of all of our parents and families to work to put an end to these concerns. Please take some time to talk with your student(s) about the importance of showing respect to everyone, regardless of individual differences. Every student has the right to feel safe and welcome at Jefferson Middle School, and I am confident that if we work together, we can make that a reality for every student.
I also want students and parents to know what can be done to report concerns of this nature. Students and/or parents can always reach out to myself and Mr. Erickson, members of our pupil services team (Mrs. Battist, Mrs. Riedl, and Mrs. Thoel), the student's advisor, or any other trusted adult at JMS. Additionally, people are always welcome to use Speak Up, Speak Out (SUSO) to report concerns anonymously. SUSO can be accessed here-https://speakup.widoj.gov/, as well as on the SDOJ and JMS homepages. Students also have access to SUSO through their school Chromebooks.
As always, thank you for your support!
Mike Matteson
