May 11, 2023
Dear E.O. Green Parents, Guardians, Students, and Staff,
I hope this letter finds you well. Today, I write to address a deeply distressing incident that occurred at our school. It is with heavy hearts that we inform you of an unfortunate incident involving a stabbing of a student during dismissal. We understand the concerns and emotions that may arise in light of such an unacceptable event, and we want to assure you that the safety and well-being of our students and staff remain our utmost priority.
First and foremost, we want to express our deepest sympathy and support to the students and their family affected by this tragic incident. Our thoughts are with them during this difficult time. With parent consent, we inform you that the injured student is at home resting. We understand the immense pain and shock that this has caused within our community, and we stand together in solidarity and support.
Please know that we have taken immediate and decisive action to ensure the ongoing safety of our students and staff. Oxnard Police Department officials have been diligently investigating the incident, and arrested the student. We are committed to providing a secure learning environment and will not tolerate any form of violence or harm within our school community.
In addition to the ongoing police investigation, we have implemented additional security measures and enhanced our safety protocols. We are working closely with security experts to assess and improve our existing systems. Rest assured that we will continue to review and update our security practices to ensure a safe and secure environment for everyone at our school. We have the following to ensure the safety of our students and staff:
-WeTip - Access the app on our website. All educational partners have the opportunity to submit anonymous reports. - Report: Bullying, Concerns for Self and Others, Discrimination or Harassment, Physical Abuse & Misconduct, Threat To School or Student, Vandalist, any concerns you may have.
-Guest Registration System - Online guest registration required for all visitors - Picture identification also required so the system checks for the visitor’s background and approves or denies their visit.
-Security Cameras - Cameras all running 24/7 and located in multiple spaces covering various areas.
- Doorbell - We now have a doorbell outside the office for parents to use when they want to come inside the office. Then. a clerk will press the buzzer to unlock the door and allow the visitor to enter.
- DOOR Ringer- After School Program - ASES/ENRICHMENT have a doorbell ringer. It is remote and rings on the after-school coordinator's cellular phone (Ms. Odalis Perez). The front gate remains locked at all times.
The Oxnard Police Department will provide additional support patrolling the area. Our school resource officer K. Hurtado will also be available to support.
Recognizing the emotional impact that such incidents can have on students and staff, we have arranged for our counselors, other HESD counselors, our psychologist and Power Of You counselors to be available on campus. These professionals are experienced in dealing with traumatic situations and will provide the necessary support to those who may need it. We encourage anyone who feels the need to speak with a counselor to reach out and take advantage of this resource. Our dedicated staff members are also here to listen, guide, and assist in any way they can all of us, adults and children.
As we navigate through this challenging time together, it is crucial that we foster an atmosphere of open communication and mutual support. We encourage parents and guardians to engage in conversations with their children about their concerns and emotions surrounding this incident. Our teachers will also be addressing these issues in age-appropriate ways in their classrooms to help students process their feelings and provide them with a safe space to express themselves.
We firmly believe that our school community is resilient and compassionate. Together, we can support one another and emerge stronger from this unfortunate incident. Let us stand united, showing care and understanding for each other during this difficult time.
Thank you for your cooperation, trust, and continued commitment to the well-being and safety of our students. Should you have any questions or require further information, please do not hesitate to contact the school office to speak to administration 805-986-8750. We are here for you, and we will get through this together.
Sincerely,
Irma Melgoza-Vasquez
School Principal
E.O. Green Jr. High School
