Responding to Friday Night's Football Game

Dear Parents, Students, and Staff,

This weekend, I learned that a fan at Friday night’s football game made an inappropriate comment, and I want to remind our community of the district’s expectations for civility and respect for all student-athletes. Athletic events are an extension of the classroom, and the lessons we teach and learn on the field must demonstrate respect for all. These expectations are clearly defined in the Stonington Board of Education’s Civility Policy, which: 

• Commands an environment of mutual respect and civil conduct between and among students, school system employees, parents, volunteers, and the general public; 

• Commits to maintaining a culture that recognizes the worth and dignity of the individual, and the important role that doing so plays in supporting academic achievement and social development; and

• Holds each individual responsible for behaving in a civil manner that is free of demeaning language and/or actions. 

This policy must be followed, and all of our athletes and fans must represent Stonington in a way that supports a safe, welcoming, and nurturing environment on school property and at school-related activities. Please understand that we have the right and the responsibility to remove anyone who violates this policy, and help us to avoid doing so by letting good sportsmanship shine throughout all future events.  

I offer my sincere apologies to the New London coaches, fans, and, most importantly, athletes, and I want to assure everyone that this incident does not reflect the standards and aspirations of the Stonington community.