John Dodig: “Students involved will be welcomed back” after consequences concluded. WN file photoIn a letter sent today to parents at Westport’s Staples High School, Principal John Dodig detailed last week’s drug incident at the school and asked them to “remember that part of being a teenager is making mistakes.”
Dodig disclosed for the first time that nine students were involved in the marijuana incident Thursday which resulted in the arrest of seven students. (See WestportNow March 2, 2007)
He said the nine were suspended from school for periods of from five to 10 days. Some of the seven arrested have been recommended to the Superintendent of Schools for expulsion from school for a length of time to be determined at a hearing but not to exceed 180 school days.
“It is important to remember that part of being a teenager is making mistakes,” Dodig said. “Some mistakes are worse than others and result in dire consequences.
“In this case, nine of our students made terrible decisions that will lead to lengthy court proceedings. Some will find themselves being denied access to public education for a period of time. After 38 years working with other people’s children, I still find this kind of episode unpleasant and heart-breaking.”
Here is the full text of Dodig’s letter, dated Monday and distributed in an e-mail today:
Dear Parents,
By now, I’m sure you have heard that last Thursday was a very busy day at SHS and memorable in a negative way. Since many rumors have begun circulating among the community, I thought it best to provide you with some facts.
About 9:15 that morning, one of our Grade Level Assistants was circulating around the outside of the building and noticed two boys who were in a part of the building where they should not have been. The GLA got out of the car, entered the building, and found two boys in a situation that seemed suspicious. A call for help was made to Assistant Principals who responded immediately. That event led to an investigation that lasted until four o’clock at which time 9 students were found to have been involved in activities involving drugs. Once the investigation ended and evidence had been collected such as drug paraphernalia, money, and bags of suspicious substances, the police were called.
The police responded immediately and asked the assistant principals to write statements describing exactly what they found on whom and when. They took photos of the evidence and began making decisions about what activity was illegal and what activity was not and solely the purview of the school. In the end, seven students were arrested, and taken to the police station. All parents were notified and either came to school to pick up their children or to the police station to complete whatever processes were required.
One student was not cooperative and provided very conflicting and confusing information. The assistant principals concluded that this student had driven to school in a vehicle not normally used by him and asked for permission to search the vehicle. The student denied permission and the police decided that they had sufficient information to ask for a drug sniffing dog to search the outside of the car. After the officer and dog appeared on campus and searched the exterior of the car, the signs were positive that something suspicious was contained in the vehicle. The police opened the car and found drugs.
It is important for you to know that the entire investigation was handled very appropriately by school administrators. All students were provided their due process rights. Care was taken to show compassion to each student while indicating consistently that the involvement of drug activity on school grounds would not be tolerated. In the end, nine students were suspended from school for periods of from five to ten days. Seven students were arrested and some of those students have been recommended to the Superintendent of Schools for expulsion from school for a length of time to be determined at a hearing but not to exceed 180 school days.
I informed the entire faculty on Friday of the events and shared what I am sharing with you. I ended my email to them by reminding everyone that we do not condone the students’ behavior that a severe consequence will result, and that we intend to support each student through this difficult time in their lives. This is no more than any good parent would say to a child: “I don’t’ like what you did. You will be punished for what you did. However, I still love you and will support you.”
It is important to remember that part of being a teenager is making mistakes. Some mistakes are worse than others and result in dire consequences. In this case, nine of our students made terrible decisions that will lead to lengthy court proceedings. Some will find themselves being denied access to public education for a period of time. After 38 years working with other people’s children, I still find this kind of episode unpleasant and heart-breaking. My administrators toiled for six hours trying to do their jobs, live up to their responsibilities to provide a safe environment for your children, and still be empathetic to each of the students involved. They did a great job bringing this matter to a conclusion. I was personally present for some of the events and for the entire time the police were on campus. I am proud of my administrators’ ability to get the job done while still maintaining the love and respect they have for each of the students in their charge. This whole event would not have been discovered and brought to successful conclusion without the help of our Grade Level Assistants who know virtually every student in this school by name.
I ask that you share with others ONLY what I have shared with you and to reiterate my message which is that the students involved will be welcomed back into the SHS community with open arms once the consequences they face are concluded. Our message as a community must be shared consistently: We cannot and will not condone illegal activity in our school, but we will always support our young people and help them grow even if that means working through unpleasant and difficult consequences for their behavior.
John Dodig,
Principal
I applaud Principal Dodig’s handling of this situation and, more importantly, his perspective on the larger picture. Adolescense is for making mistakes (and learning from it) under the caring and compassionate supervision of adults—most of whom have made their own mistakes, to be sure. Let us be grateful no greater harm was done.
I don’t know that much about the incident, but I do know that we are fortunate to have Mr. Dodig as the principal. I am sure he will treat the students fairly while upholding the law. Whenever I go to Staples whether for back to school night, for a theater presentation, for a sporting event, or to drop off a sandwich my daughter forgot for lunch, I am impressed with the students, the teachers and usually find Mr. Dodig standing by the front door with a smile directing everything.