Rumors can be dangerous. But the grapevine is buzzing. I hope to have more information and the truth about the situation very soon.

I have been told that ...

"someone" spread the word for UGHS students of color to dress in black clothing today. Some kind of solidarity statement, perhaps. The impromptu dress code was supposedly observed by a parent plugged into the area grapevine. Last night, in response to tensions, some white kids supposedly wrote racial slurs on the school windows. Supposedly the culprits have been identified. The highlight of the story, as if this were not bad enough, is that some racially charged, potentially violent engagement may occur at the football game tomorrow night.

As rumors go, and we all know, the original truth is often clouded and distorted many times along the way. Let us pray that this situation has already been blown sufficiently out of proportion.

[UPDATE] Below is the response email from Jack Parish, HC Schools Superintendent:

Good afternoon, Larry. Thank you for sharing this information with me. I clearly understand how the grapevine buzzes, and how the information on the grapevine has a tendency to grow.

Some of the information in your e-mail is accurate. An incident did occur at UGHS on Tuesday night where individuals spray painted on the building and on some of the school windows. This was picked up by our security cameras but the individuals had on hoods and cannot be identified by the camera shots.

I have not heard about any potentially violent engagement at tomorrow night's football game. I spoke with Tom Smith, the school principal, about this. Tom said that they did not hear any rumors like this circulating among the students today during school but that he began receiving some calls from parents this afternoon after students had gotten home.

Though we take all rumors very seriously, this could be a scheme by students to be able to stay out of school tomorrow. I can assure you that there will be a sufficient number of security personnel on duty at the football game tomorrow evening in an effort to deter any type of inappropriate behavior. Please let me know if you have additional questions or thoughts about this.

Thank you,
Jack