Holmdel Superintendent Sends Home Anti-Bullying Letter Following Election

HOLMDEL, NJ— The Superintendent of Schools in Holmdel sent a letter to families over the weekend, encouraging "respectful disagreements" following the election.

Robert McGarry sent the letter on Nov 12, before students returned back to school following a week-long recess-- their first days in the classroom following the elections. McGarry stressed that students should be able to disagree with each other, so long as it's done in a respectful way, and follows the code of conduct.

The letter was a result of "increased incidents of bullying, harassment and other disturbing behaviors directed towards the identities or ideologies held by individuals or groups" that have been reported on in the news, McGarry said.

He encouraged students, particularly older ones, and faculty to keep conversations within the Controversial Issues policy, which asks that discussions of heated subjects "be conducted in an unprejudiced and dispassionate manner designed to foster a spirit of inquiry," and to keep things grade-appropriate. (You can read the full policy here).

Holmdel voted for Donald Trump, 56% to Hillary Clinton's 41%. Although only a small number of students would have been eligible to vote, schools across the country have reported election-fueled bullying incidents.

You can read the full letter here:

Message to Families - November 12 by Katie on Scribd

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