Dear Parents, Residents and Staff:

By now, you have probably read news accounts or watched TV video of the attack on an adolescent girl by three teenage girls, who are North Babylon residents. What happened here in our district is not only a North Babylon problem. It is a result of societal issues which impact school districts throughout our country. Underlying causes include increasing violence in our society and abuse of the internet, which can turn a source of good information into something harmful for our children.

This incident took place on December 18, 2006, after school hours, on the grounds of the Woods Road Elementary School. District officials first learned of the incident on January 2, 2007, after viewing it on an internet website. Because the girls involved in the attack are students in our school district and because the incident occurred on school property, we responded quickly with stern disciplinary measures.  It is important that you know that the North Babylon School District has zero tolerance for violent behavior.  Immediately, the girls were suspended and the police were notified. Superintendent’s Disciplinary Hearings were conducted to determine further action to be taken with these students. As a result of these hearings, the girls were suspended through the end of the third quarter of the school year.  Prior to the girls’ possible return to classes, the Disciplinary Hearings will be reconvened to review the matter, which will include any actions taken by legal authorities.  The girls will be held accountable for their actions.  Nothing less is acceptable.   

All students who attend North Babylon schools are required to adhere strictly to the district’s Code of Student Conduct.  When students violate this Code of Conduct, and/or the law, they will be held to account. Swift and appropriate disciplinary action will be taken. In this particular matter, the most severe discipline was the appropriate response. 

This issue goes beyond justified sanctions for bad behavior. Prevention of similar incidents is critically important. This may not be easy in today’s open society, because violence surrounds our children – in many of the current video games, internet sites, television shows and films. Often, the message children receive is that cruel behavior, fighting and violence are okay, even “cool”. They are not.  Bullying is not to be tolerated. Violence is unacceptable. Assault is illegal.  We must continually reinforce to our children that such irresponsible behavior is not acceptable in our homes, schools, or communities and will not be tolerated. We must collectively communicate this message to children. The lessons learned from this terrible incident can help North Babylon, and school districts everywhere, protect our children and prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future. 

Now, more than ever, we need to closely supervise our children -- including their use of the internet -- in order to protect them and prevent them from engaging in behaviors that will be harmful.  Knowing what values our children are acquiring is essential. If we discover something threatening, we need to speak out – to our children, to school officials, and, if necessary, to the authorities.  We must be willing to intervene and not look the other way.  Nothing less will suffice.

Our children are the most precious people in our lives. They are our greatest hope for the future. Indeed, they are our future. Therefore, North Babylon schools must remain safe havens for them. Let us work together and communicate with our children and each other.  Through this partnership, our children will succeed, and youth violence will be eradicated from North Babylon. Please be assured of our commitment to provide a safe learning environment for our children.

Sincerely,

Dr. Joseph A. Laria,

Acting Superintendent of Schools