A Message from the Superintendent

Please note, this is an updated draft of the letter that was sent at 4 p.m. today. Please reference this version of the letter, which contains a correction in the last paragraph.

Dear Winnetka Staff and Families,

I am aware of an incident that occurred at Dwyer Park on Friday evening. The incident occurred on Park District property, and any investigation will be handled entirely by the Winnetka Police Department.

On Tuesday evening, our School Board passed the Safe, Secure & Health Schools Resolution with explicit language around how our District will actively support a safe and secure environment for learning and work. This resolution will only be a success with a collective partnership from the community. The incident on Friday is one of several examples we can point to that indicate that we can do better as a community. Certainly in this case we will reflect on what more we need to do for our children, but we also have an opportunity to reflect on our role and responsibility in bettering our community as adults. I invite us to be more conscious of our interactions with each other. Our tone and language choice in every conversation, email, and public forums is an opportunity for us to model for our children what courtesy and compassion look like. Most importantly, our partnerships and the strength we can draw from them, are critically valuable as we seek to make positive change and insist on fostering a community we can all be proud of. This is accomplished when we link arms and commit to a shared goal. Our children rely on us to be a model in all things.

As a District, we will continue to provide instruction and support that prioritizes community, compassion and empathy. We do not condone behavior that contradicts those priorities. I remain grateful for the close partnership we maintain with our Winnetka Police Department and for their responsiveness in this matter. While I cannot comment further on the details of this incident, our staff will be prepared to respond with age-appropriate discussions in our classrooms next week regarding acceptable behavior in our community and on our campuses, how to report concerns about yourself or others and where direct support can be accessed in our schools. As this situation evolves, and there is more I am able to share, I will reach out again as I know that safety and security is top of mind for all at this time.

Most Sincerely,

Dr. Kelly Tess

Superintendent