Letter From Principal Tom Rogers
Sept. 22, 2017
Geneva High School Parents, Guardians, Students and Employees:
You have received many communications from Geneva High School this week, most of them filled with information about disturbing events and rumors of violence. We would like to begin this communication instead with a heartfelt THANK YOU to our students, parents, staff, first responders, and community. Throughout the challenges we have faced this week, we have had one shared focus: The safety and well-being of the students of Geneva High School. We are humbled by the support and trust that you have in us and are so glad that you are such an integral part of our school family.
While we remain vigilant, both the Geneva School District and the Geneva Police Department have found no credible evidence to substantiate any specific rumor of violence at Geneva High School or any other Geneva school. Rather, the conclusion is that social media posts perpetuated rumors that spread very quickly. We, along with the Geneva Police Department, believe that Geneva High School is a safe place.
Moving forward, Geneva High School and the Geneva Police Department will continue to have additional precautions in place to help reassure everyone that student safety is of the utmost importance. While certain aspects of our security plan cannot be shared, we always have the ability to implement searches of the school and student belongings should we determine that this is necessary.
In our society, adolescent mental health often does not get the focus and attention it deserves, but rest assured that the GHS Counseling & Advising Office is prepared to assist students for any reason. If you believe that there is a student in need of assistance for any reason, please take it upon yourself to reach out and seek support for yourself or someone else.
While we know that the use of social media is inescapable, we would ask that we all commit to pausing to think before posting information that may lead to rumors and misinformation spreading very quickly. If you are aware of information that we need to know, please do not hesitate to contact Geneva High School or the Geneva Police Department directly.
Although the past few days have been challenging for all of us, if we continue to support each other there is no challenge that we cannot overcome. Rest assured that the safety and security of the students we serve continues to be our priority as we strive to provide our students with an excellent education.
Sincerely,
Tom Rogers, Principal
Geneva Community High School
Posted: Friday, September 22, 2017