Dear Billy T and Somerville/Medford News Weekly Speakup Line,

I have many families from MHS, along with teachers and students on my Facebook page so I wanted to make sure you all saw this email that was sent out by Paul D.

I am so disappointed to see a teachers decorations were destroyed during pride month and I would hope you kids will speak up if you see someone doing something as disgusting as this. I’m sure you all would but had to say it.

As horrified as I am by this and do not think for a second this is ok. The fact we have to call upon the MPD is absolutely outrageous and makes me so upset.

Yes, whoever did this should 100% be held accountable, but are we seriously going to call the police department for every little thing that goes on up MHS? I mean the stabbings and the vicous beatings didn’t get this much attention.

Don’t they have enough to worry about with our city falling apart, people breaking the law and a chief who’s constantly playing politics who tells his officers not to make arrests even if people are in fact breaking the law by stealing at Weggies etc. when news cameras are around smfh.

Yet we are going to press possible charges and have a God damn detective working the case for a kid being a punk taking down some decorations?

This is unbelievable

Let the boys in blue deal with REAL criminals!

Make it make sense people….. make it make sense please for once.

Kerry Laidlaw

Letter attached below:
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Encourages and assists all students to become creative and critical thinkers with compassionate hearts who embrace global citizenship.
June 12, 2023
Dear Medford High School Faculty and students:
The well-being of Medford High School students and staff is and will always be our first priority.
We pride ourselves on the supportive environment we foster for our students daily throughout the school year. It is for this reason that it pains me when I must report incidents that bring this sense of security into question. It is why in doing so, my team and I reaffirm our commitment to cultivating the safe and supportive learning environment that all members of our Mustang community expect and deserve.
Recently we had an incident where a teacher’s decorations for the Pride Month contest were removed during school hours. As is always the case when this type of infraction happens within the Medford Public Schools, appropriate investigatory steps are being taken, and any appropriate disciplinary actions will be taken.
This type of incident of any kind and in any manner has absolutely no place in Medford High School or in our school district. Simply put, hate will not be tolerated. The Superintendent has been in contact and is consulting with Frances N. Nwajei, Medford’s Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. The Medford Police have been notified and will pursue additional actions related to this. This is an active investigation.
The MHS leadership team as well as teachers and staff will support all students as we foster an environment in which letters like this one are rarely if ever necessary. This is how we will build a learning environment in which all students both feel and in fact, are safe to learn and grow together.
If you have any questions or are in need of any type of support, please reach out to me or one of the assistant principals. You may also use the Say Something Anonymous Reporting System. We are here to answer your questions and to support you as a member of this school community.

Sincerely, Paul) alloa
Paul D’Alleva, Principal of MHS