Superintendent Letter: 1/9/23

Dear Oswego High School Families,

This letter is to inform you of an incident that occurred at our Oswego High School campus today. We want to make sure you have accurate information and dispel any rumors you may have heard about the incident.

At approximately 12 p.m. today, several students engaged in a verbal altercation in the cafeteria. While trying to de-escalate the situation, our school resource officer and other staff approached the students. While doing so, a female student got verbally involved in the incident and afterwards walked towards a student who was initially involved in the incident. 
As a result, our School Resource Officer grabbed the student by her arm and detained her on a table and then on the floor. While this was occurring, several students approached the SRO and began to strike him. Shortly thereafter, the officer’s pepper spray was deployed and the staff members and administrators were able to get the situation under control.
Please note, at this time our investigation demonstrates that this deployment of pepper spray may have been accidental. No one was seriously injured and treatment was immediately provided to the students and staff affected by the pepper spray, and some affected parties were sent home.
Parents and Guardians should also know that as a result of concerns which were related to this matter a “hold-in-place” order was implemented at the school, per district safety protocol.

The district is conducting a thorough internal investigation into this incident which includes but is not limited to a review of district video footage and discussion with students and staff who have information about this incident. Additional updates will also be provided to the community when the investigation concludes.

If you and/or your child should have additional information to share about this incident or should wish to discuss this concern further, please feel free to contact the OHS Principal, Mr. Ryan Lanigan at 315-341-2200.
Yours In Education,
 
Mathis Calvin III, Ed. D.
Superintendent of Schools