Message/Direction for Students

We shared this with our students this morning via email.

Good morning,

As we indicated yesterday in our morning announcement, the recent events in Florida have brought up a number of emotions, from anger, to fear, to sadness - all of which are appropriate. We met yesterday as a school crisis team and then as a district crisis team, which involves police and fire. While we remain confident in the safety procedures we have in place at UHS, we know that there are some things that people are wondering.

1.      UHS is and will continue to be a safe place but we need students to play a major role in the security and safety of one another.

2.      Do not prop doors open or open them during the school day to let anyone in. Not even your peers, former students or staff.

3.      Be careful what you post on your social networks, group chats, etc. . “I didn’t know is no longer an excuse”. You should all know better.

4.      If you see something, say something. You can report any concern directly to a staff member, by sending an email or having a conversation. If you report something anonymously, I just ask that you be as detailed as possible. Not having a name makes it very difficult to follow up if there are many unknowns.

5.      Be kind to one another! Don’t allow a classmate to be isolated. Say hello!

6.      Each student should identify at least 1-2 adults in the building that they feel connected to that they can call upon if they have any concerns or need assistance.

7.      If you or a friend is having a tough time in or out of school, speak up. Access an Adjustment Counselor, Guidance Counselor or staff member. Asking for help is NOT a sign of weakness!

8.      If you have a conflict with another student, work it out with that student. Do not seek to involve others and do not let it play out on a social network. Conflict resolution is a life skill, we can help you to hone your skills to perfection. If you need help with a conflict, utilize the Adjustment Counselors, Guidance Counselors, or any other staff member.

9. For those who are still feeling like they are struggling, Family Continuity will be offering support services to students and parents next week. On Thursday, from 11-12, there is an event at Family Continuity, located at 76 Church Street in Whitinsville. Parent/guardian consent for participation and registration are both required; contact them at 508-234-4181.

10. Returning to normalcy and a sense of routine is important, so help each other toward that!

Just as you seek out the support of counselors, our network of administrators also lean on each other for guidance, so I thank the principals of Milton High School and Belmont High School for sharing their resources with us. 

Finally, Mr. Carney, the counselors, and I will be meeting with student leaders over the next several weeks to consider ways that we can help encourage ways for students to speak up and help us take care of this community.

I wish each of you a relaxing, enjoyable vacation week.

Sincerely,

Mr. Rubin (for the UHS Crisis Team: Mr. Barry, Ms. Ciccone, Officer Deveau, Mr. DiMeglio, Ms. Hampton, Ms. Lesperance, Ms. Mason, Ms. Schiller, Ms. Tobin, and Dr. Vandergrift)