Dear Onteora Families,

We are writing to inform you about an ongoing nationwide issue involving racist text messages being sent to individuals, including students, from unknown sources. These messages are offensive and harmful, and authorities are actively investigating their origins.

While we cannot control who receives these messages, we can control how we respond. If you or your child receives one of these messages, we urge you to take the following steps:

• Do not respond to or share the message. Sharing such content can perpetuate harm and may have serious consequences, including disciplinary or legal actions.
• Discuss the importance of responsible digital behavior with your child. Encourage them to approach an adult if they feel uncomfortable or threatened by any online interactions.

We stress the importance of not resharing or forwarding these texts, even as a joke or out of frustration. Doing so may unintentionally amplify their harmful impact and spread distress to others in our community.

As a district, we remain committed to fostering a safe and inclusive environment for everyone. We have been advised to let you know that you can report these texts by contacting the Attorney General at 800-771-7755 or file a complaint online here. Together, we can stand against hate and ensure our schools remain a place of safety, respect, and learning.

Thank you for your cooperation and support.