School officials in Ridgefield are investigating possible incidents of "hazing, bullying and intimidation" connected to sports teams at the high school, according to school principal Dr. Stacey Gross.
Gross sent a letter home to parents of high school students on Friday explaining concerns about the alleged incidents, which involved both athletes and non-athletes "in association" with school athletic teems.
"This type of behavior casts a dark shadow over our entire school community," Gross wrote. "I am disappointed that in spite of the efforts of everyone – teachers, coaches and administrators – some students chose to ignore our directives and placed themselves and others in jeopardy of injury and exposed their fellow students to ridicule and humiliation."
Gross said school administrators are investigating events that occurred Thursday but did not elaborate on the specifics of what happened.
According to Gross, "all those who are found to have participated in these behaviors will receive serious consequences."
"This is a real blip in who we are and we have dealt with things strongly and swiftly and clearly," Gross said.
The principal said school officials considered canceling Friday's pep rally and sporting events but decided against it given that most athletes and students at the high school did not participate in the alleged hazing.
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"It is my hope that this will be [the] last time such incidents occur at Ridgefield High School and that you will join with me in making the message clear that there are no second-class citizens at Ridgefield High School and that we stand together united in our commitment to honor each other rather than to diminish anyone," Gross wrote.
Ridgefield Public Schools Supt. Debbie Lowe said the high school has been proactive about addressing hazing. She said some consequences have been determined but could not comment on whether any students have been suspended.
"This kind of behavior is completely unacceptable," Lowe said.
She said an advisory program is already established at the high school and the athletic teams have discussed what kind of behavior is and isn't appropriate.
"Given how proactive we've been, we are surprised and we are disappointed," Lowe said.
