UPDATE NOV. 24

The grand jury in the Michael Brown case has reached a verdict and will release their findings at 8 p.m. tonight, according to ABC News. Dr. Tom Williams, superintendent, said after school activity buses traveling to Riverview Gardens and St. Louis City have been cancelled this afternoon. Currently there have been no changes made to the activities surrounding Turkey Day.

The following email was sent to KHS families who reside in Riverview Gardens or St. Louis City:

“Dear Families in Riverview Gardens School District and St. Louis City-

There are unconfirmed media reports that the Grand Jury will announce its decision this afternoon.

Therefore, in an effort to be cautious and safe, all Kirkwood High School students who reside in the Riverview Gardens attendance area and St. Louis City will be getting on the bus at dismissal; 2:40 p.m., today, Monday, November 24. There will not be a Kirkwood High School after school activity bus for students residing in this area.

We will keep you informed with additional information as it transpires.

If you have any questions, please call 314-213-6110.

Once again, there will not be a Kirkwood High School activity bus running today, Monday, November 24.”

ORIGINAL STORY

Dr. Tom Williams, superintendent, sent an email to KSD staff Thursday addressing further safety concerns regarding the impending Ferguson grand jury decision. Williams said KSD has no reason to believe protest activity will take place in or around any Kirkwood schools. Nevertheless, Williams said the district has emergency plans in place.

Although many expected the grand jury’s findings to be released this weekend, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports the grand jury will reconvene Monday to consider more information. Dr. Michael Havener, principal, said KHS will continue with all Turkey Day activities as planned.

Below is William’s email:

“Dear Colleagues,

 I know many of you are concerned about the pending Grand Jury decision and the emergency plans we have in place for the safety of our students and staff. We continue to keep in contact with our local police departments, directors of our bus service and administrators to discuss and share plans related to the Grand Jury’s decision.

We expect the county prosecutors office to notify us prior to the public announcement. However, we also know circumstances are ever changing in this situation. We are prepared for any outcome.

Our safety and security plans provide us with guidelines that allow us to respond to different types of situations. These guidelines will be used until the police or fire departments provide direction. If we need to cancel field trips and activities, we will do so. If we need to dismiss school early, we will do so. Administrators and local law enforcement officials will make these decisions together, with student and staff safety as our top priority.

At this time, we do not have information that leads us to believe any type of protest activity will take place in or near one of our schools. If a situation were to occur, we will notify all parents and staff members immediately.

We will communicate what we know – when we know it – without jeopardizing the safety of the people within the school community.”

Read William’s previous statement on KSD safety concerns here. Read Havener’s email about rumors of violence at KHS here.