Dr. Devon Q. Horton, Superintendent

October 13, 2023

Dear DeKalb County School District Families,

I write to you today during a time of heightened concern and emotions due to recent events unfolding in the Middle East. As we all grapple with the impact of these horrific atrocities, I hope to reach out to everyone in our school district family to provide reassurance and emphasize the importance of unity and vigilance during these challenging times.

The safety and well-being of our students, staff, families, and community remain paramount in every DeKalb County School District (DCSD) school, center, and property. To that end, I’ll underscore that, to date, there have been no reported specific threats or acts of violence within our schools related to the tragic events abroad.

Nonetheless, we have taken additional safety measures. Our DCSD Police Officers, campus security, school administrators, and staff have been instructed to be specifically vigilant in identifying and investigating any potential threats or physical altercations that may be related to these events.

Still, this must be a collective effort. We cannot achieve safety in isolation, so we encourage all community members, both young and old, to actively participate in our “See Something, Say Something” campaign. If you or your child witness or suspect any unsafe situation within or around our schools- even in our neighborhoods- we urge you to alert our staff promptly. Your participation in these efforts is essential to our successful overall safety strategy.

We continue to believe that open lines of communication are critical between our schools and families. Should you have any questions or concerns or require further information, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with your school administrators.

In these uncertain times, let us stand united and determined to keep the safety and security of our students, staff, families, and community partners as our highest, most sacred priority. Thank you for your continued support and understanding. Together, we will best ensure that our schools remain safe havens for learning, growth, and progress.

Yours Most Truly,

 

Dr. Devon Q. Horton, Superintendent
DeKalb County School District