Framingham Principal: 'Your Child's Safety Is Our Number One Priority'

After several incidents at Fuller Middle School, including a BB gun found in a student’s locker, a student hospitalized after an assault, several fights on school grounds, and more than a dozen students suspended, the principal emailed parents on Saturday afternoon to say “your child’s safety is our number one priority.”

Fuller Middle School Principal Sharon Seyller also informed parents she plans to host a special “Administrative Chat” on Wednesday, Jan, 6, 2016 to discuss school safety at 7 p.m. in the school’s library.

The Saturday, Dec. 12 afternoon email to parents came after Framingham Patch reported about the BB gun and the assault. Many parents learned of the incident from Patch first.

“This has been an atypical year for Fuller Middle School in terms of aggressive behavior,” wrote the principal. “I applaud the efforts of our staff, parents, police and school administration to address these issues as they arise, but they are not enough. Your child’s safety is our number one priority. We have a dedicated staff, and hard working students but they cannot engage effectively in meaningful curriculum and instruction unless the learning environment is safe. Therefore, we are embarking on a comprehensive review of systems, practices and protocols that support a positive and collaborative school environment and we are asking for the entire Fuller Community for help.”

“We understand we do on occasion get incidents at schools. These incidents are isolated, but have occurred during a short period of time. It does not indicate an epidemic of violence,” said Framingham Superintendent of Schools Stacy Scott to Framingham Patch on Friday afternoon.

The principal said “immediately, we are taking actions to respond to school safety with increased staff presence in all areas of the building during transition times, arrival and dismissal times, and in the cafeteria.”

“Obviously, we are concerned,” said Scott on Friday. “We want to make sure students feel safe in school.”

Seyller said “We are reviewing and reinforcing established procedures of supervision and communication within our school. We are also reviewing the protocols and procedures of our support teams.”

“We want all students to feel safe,” said Scott. “It is for that reason, we will help students work through emotional issues and relationship stresses that may be coming to school.”

Seyller said “We are designing sessions to engage in two-way communication with staff, students and parents regarding safety, conflict resolution and violence prevention.”

The Fuller principal told parents “We are grateful for the support of the school district administration and the Framingham Police Department.”