Police investigating inappropriate touching on Skyline School bus

PORTLAND, Ore. – The Portland Police Bureau Child Abuse Team is investigating reports of inappropriate touching by a 7th boy on a Skyline School bus.

Police said they received two separate reports of inappropriate touching in Dec., 2011 and Jan., 2012. Two different 7th grade girls at the K-8 school reported the touching, police said. One 7th grade boy is under investigation.

Police said the Child Abuse Team is involved because the victims are less than 14 years old. School officials are cooperating with the investigation.

In a recent letter to Skyline parents, Principal David J. Wood said he became aware of an allegation on Jan. 12. Since then, Wood said he's heard from several parents who are concerned about the incident.

"Every student, boy and girl, has the right to attend Skyline, and to travel to and from school, free from unwanted touching or sexually-oriented behavior," said Wood.

A school district spokesman told KATU News the 7th grade boy is no longer going to Skyline School for a variety of reasons.

The following is a letter to Skyline parents from Principal David J. Wood:

Dear Families of Skyline Middle School Students –
 
I write to update you on a matter of concern at Skyline.
 
On Thursday morning, January 12th, I became aware of an allegation that a middle school student “A” inappropriately touched another middle school student “C” on a bus ride home from Skyline before the Winter Break.  Together with our counselor, Ms. Foxley, I interviewed the students involved on Thursday.  I have since met or spoken with “C’s” and “A’s” parents about the incident, and I have received input from PPS counselors and other qualified professionals who work with students in situations like this.
 
The next day (Friday the 13th), I heard from several Skyline parents with questions or concerns about this incident, and about student safety at Skyline.  I write to assure you that:
 
•    Student safety is my foremost concern at Skyline.  Every student, boy and girl, has the right to attend Skyline, and to travel to and from school, free from unwanted touching or sexually-oriented comments.  “C” did exactly the right thing by reporting this alleged behavior to a trusted adult.
 
•    As principal, it is my duty to investigate carefully any allegation of sexual harassment – to understand what happened in one incident, but also to learn whether it is part of a pattern, and what risks there may be for allegedly harassing behavior to be repeated.  That is what I am doing now.  I expect this investigation will continue through Wednesday of this coming week.  When that investigation is concluded, I will update you further.
 
•    So far, I have learned no information that causes me to believe there is a safety risk to any Skyline student while at Skyline.
 
•    One outcome of my investigation may be a disciplinary consequence for “A” or another student.  I am prohibited by law from telling any parent or student what, if any, disciplinary action is taken against another student. “A,” or any student accused of wrongdoing, has the right to tell his/her side of the story, with support from a parent and/or provider who can help me reach a just resolution.  
 
Though I cannot legally tell you what will happen to any individual student (except your own), I urge you to do the following:
 
•    Talk to your children – especially your middle school student – about sexual harassment.  Tell them explicitly that NO ONE has a right to use unwanted sexually-oriented language toward them, or to touch them without their express consent.
 
•    If your child tells you that any student at Skyline (or elsewhere) has made them uncomfortable with sexually-oriented language, or has touched them without consent, please let me know.  It is very important for me and our staff to understand possible patterns of behavior.  Let your child know that it is OK to talk to me – or, if they prefer, to Ms. Foxley – about such behavior.  We can refer students and their families to a variety of resources – inside and outside of school – to help them.
 
With Ms. Foxley’s support, the Middle School team and I will be talking with every middle school student this Wednesday the 18th (during Late Opening “cohort time”) about recognizing, understanding and reporting sexual harassment.  Please ask your student on Wednesday night to reflect with you on what they heard.
 
If you have any additional information about which I should be aware in addressing the current situation, please see me promptly.  If you have general questions or concerns about student safety or harassment at Skyline, please don’t hesitate to call or to drop in soon.
 
Wishing you peace, rest, and a (snowy?) day off,
David