New Release from MCHS About Vaping and Media

Wednesday, February 19, 2020 at 11:40 AM

By Madison Consolidated High School Press Release - Dr. Jeff Studebaker, Superintendent

Our first priority is our students and families.

File Photo

(Madison, Ind.) - The events of the last week bring to light something we thankfully don’t often deal with but if and when situations occur within our district that may attract media attention, we have a process and team in place as part of our school safety plan.

In any event, our first priority is student and staff safety at the building level. Our team of professionals will work to secure the situation, investigate leads, and collect factual information that we will compile and distribute as quickly as possible.

Our next priority is our families. We understand when situations occur the unknown can be very scary. We are committed to open communication, with factual information, as quickly as possible. Please understand that when situations occur our teams must be able to secure the building, assess the situation, begin an investigation, and determine a plan of action. We will communicate information as quickly as possible but we must be given time to react and tend to the immediate needs based on the situation.

We also know that nearly every student has a personal device and is in contact with their family and friends immediately as situations unfold - in some cases before the situation has been formally reported. Inaccurate dialog and social media activity only exacerbate a situation when information is sent and received in bits and parcels with little known facts. We ask that everyone stop and think before they post something to consider:

1. Is it factual?

2. Is it helpful?

3. Could it impact the safety of yourself, your student, or others?

We will share information with our community and media outlets as soon as it is available. Any necessary updates to any information will be handled in the same manner and order.

In the event you feel it is unsafe for your student(s) to attend school, it will be an excused absence but they will be expected to communicate with teachers and complete necessary assignments as they are due.

We appreciate your support and understanding as we work together to ensure timely, accurate information is released from our district.

The school also shared a link to some helpful information from the Jefferson County Health Department and the CDC on vaping.