Superintendent Blane McCann issued the following statement regarding the recent fight at SHS caught on videotape and replayed over and over again in the local media. (
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Focus on: Recent Incidents at SHS
March 30, 2007Shorewood High School has been in the news this week, and while many of you have undoubtedly seen the television and newspaper coverage, I would like to provide you with some factual information concerning the incident that has captured so much media attention. On March 21, two students were involved in a fight. Approximately 20 additional students watched the fight with four of them joining in as it progressed. One student videotaped the whole incident. None of the students involved required medical attention and the fight broke up when school personnel and police arrived simultaneously. I should add that there is no indication that this fight was race related. Following established policies, school personnel dealt swiftly with the students engaged in the fight and those who stood around watching rather than seeking adult help. In addition, the Shorewood Police Department issued disorderly conduct citations and confiscated the video.
Unfortunately, teenagers do not always make the best choices; we are extremely disappointed in our students' behavior that afternoon and consider it unacceptable. We do not tolerate such behavior at any of our schools.
I want to assure all parents and community members that such incidents are very rare at Shorewood High School and that all our schools are very safe and organized to maximize student learning. Please remember that a vast majority of our students exhibit responsible behavior. An assembly will be held for all SHS students on Friday, March 30, to review the incident and reinforce school policies and expectations.
I believe that each of our schools is working very hard to maintain a safe environment for staff and students. We know it is our job, as well as the job of parents, to help our students learn to make appropriate choices and take responsibility for their actions. Our classroom teachers and administrators effectively address these issues on a daily basis, but we know there is always room for improvement. Currently, two of our ongoing district inquiry groups are addressing issues of safety and developmental guidance. They are developing emergency response protocols for all of us to implement and are researching areas that will lead to updated educational programming for students in areas such as decision making, alcohol and drug use, bullying and harassment, conflict resolution, and other areas of student behavior that need addressing.
We will continue to work very hard to provide a safe learning environment for all of our children. As parents and neighbors please help us encourage our students to make good decisions.
Please contact me if you have further concerns or comments.
Blane McCann
Superintendent
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