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District: Poway students, staff targeted in presidential election aftermath

Parents at Westview H.S. received separate note
Posted at 10:38 AM, Nov 16, 2016
and last updated 2016-11-16 21:48:57-05

POWAY — Parents of students in the Poway Unified School District received a statement from the acting superintendent Tuesday about recent incidents involving students and staff being targeted in the aftermath of the presidential election. 

Mel Robertson wrote that "a few" students and staff were targeted since last week's election "because of their race, religion, or political beliefs, creating an unsafe learning and working environment." 

She went on to state: 

Our students cannot learn when they are afraid or bullied and I know I speak for our full community in saying this cannot continue. Instead, we must continue to work to create a positive culture where every person is respected and valued: an environment where rich dialogue is encouraged amongst our students and staff, but the discourse does not harm a person’s identity or well-being. No matter your perspective, it is vital that no election result changes our commitment to ALL of our students.

In a response to the district's Facebook post including the statement, Jennifer Hill Smith posted a statement by Westview High School's principal regarding "some inappropriate actions/words directed at certain students and staff members." 

You can read the statement in its entirety here: 

KGTV has reached out to the district for more information on the specific instances that the acting superintendent is referring. We'll bring that information to you as soon as we get it. 

You can read the statement in its entirety below: