The following is a statement released by Jesuit High School to all JHS parents Monday, regarding the recent incidents on campus:

October 6, 2008

Dear Parents,

Last Tuesday (9/30), a partial racial epithet was discovered handwritten on a poster of the McCain/Obama Electoral College Brownbag that was hanging on the wall near our library. We immediately removed the poster when the act was brought to our attention. That same afternoon, we made an announcement to our entire student body, informing students of the seriousness of the act and asking anyone with information about the defacement to inform the administration. We made it clear that the person or people who defaced the poster would be severely disciplined and we proceeded to investigate.

Another incident occurred the day before the poster was defaced (Monday, 9/29). Three teenagers came on our campus. They behaved in a threatening, aggressive manner toward some of our students. We immediately reported the incident to the Beaverton Police Department and an officer arrived to investigate. The teenagers have been identified by the police as non-Jesuit, non-Thomas Edison students. According to one of our students who saw these non-Jesuit teenagers, they were asking our students where to find the "Obama" posters.

We believe the defacement of the McCain/Obama poster and the appearance and aggressive behavior of the three teenagers on our campus were related incidents, although no one saw the poster being defaced.

Another unfortunate and serious incident happened to one of our students on campus. Last Thursday, our student reported finding a note with negative racial overtones in his or her locker. We immediately called the student's family, talked to and counseled the student, and called the Beaverton PD. A Beaverton police officer conducted an investigation on campus last Thursday, but said he didn't have enough evidence to accuse anyone at that time. We are actively doing our own investigation and are cooperating with the police. On Sunday evening (10/5), that same student discovered a disturbing note on the family's home doorstep. We understand the incident was reported to the police.

The safety of all our students is paramount, and we provide security on campus at all times. We are addressing these incidents with our students in class meetings tomorrow morning in an attempt to both inform them of what happened and to teach them that this behavior is not appropriate, respectful, or reflective of our mission.

We are actively investigating the incidents that happened on our campus and working with law enforcement. If we discover who is at fault, that person or people will be severely disciplined and face expulsion. We strive to keep our campus safe and have our students exhibit loving and accepting behavior toward everyone. These events are serious and unfortunate, but we believe we can grow from them and move toward a better and stronger community.

Sincerely,

John Gladstone

President

Sandy Satterberg

Principal

Contact Info: Erika Tuenge

Communications Director

Tel: (503) 291-5479

etuenge@jesuitportland.org