Dear Parents/Guardians, Students:

In light of recent events across the country, and closer to home in New Jersey, it is important to re-emphasize the importance of school safety in response to violent threats and/or actions.  The local and national media have provided non-stop coverage of the tragic incident on the Virginia Tech campus which has left our nation both shocked and horrified, and of situations in other schools which have occurred in the aftermath.  Carteret High School is committed to creating the safest, most effective learning environment possible.  Our goal remains to assist each of our students in their pursuit of academic excellence and to maximize their potential as future members of our society as adults.  We emphasize the important themes of character, civic responsibility, citizenship, compassion, and caring as part of developing the unique qualities in each student.

In doing so, we have created an environment where students are both responsible for and conscious of the learning environment around them.  Students know that if they have a concern about academic issues, personal matters, or anything else that the administration or staff can assist with, they are encouraged to seek those services which we provide.  Carteret High School students are also acutely aware that if they have a concern for their personal safety, or for the safety of those around them, that we will react immediately and appropriately.  We encourage students, as the most important members of the school community, to be vigilant during the school day and to alert the appropriate administration and faculty if something does come to light.

Another important issue that has come to light during the past week concerns the appropriateness of student comments and behavior.  Please take time to discuss with your student the significance of what they say during the school day, and just as importantly, who they say it in the presence of.  The administration will react to inappropriate comments, gestures, and connotations immediately and appropriately to ensure the safety of the entire student body.  Students who say or do inappropriate things that might be interpreted or construed to be threatening will be dealt with as if an actual threat exists.

We approach the safety and well-being of every member of the Carteret High School community with utmost seriousness and work closely the Carteret Police Department, the municipal government, and other parts of the local and state infrastructure to continually improve our response.  Safety and preparedness are of the utmost priority as we strive to ensure that students can learn in a safe environment at the high school.

Sincerely,

Carteret High School Administration