LONGMEADOW – On Dec. 5 the Longmeadow School District reported that an alleged sexual assault occurred involving two students at the conclusion of the school day at Glenbrook Middle School.  Since then, the district has taken action to teach students in appropriate ways about healthy sexuality.

The following day, Dec. 6, Superintendent of Longmeadow Public Schools Martin O’Shea issued parents, staff and the media a statement; reassuring citizens that immediate action was taken.

“School administrators immediately contacted the Longmeadow Police Department and initiated an investigation.  The matter is being investigated by the Longmeadow Police and will be addressed by school officials in accordance with district policy and applicable statues,” the release read.

The statement continued, noting that there is reason to believe that this is an isolated incident, and that it did not and has not disrupted Glenbrook’s “normal, safe, educational routines.”

On Dec. 7, two days after the alleged sexual assault, O’Shea sent out an update to parents and faculty with what the district has learned thus far, as well as expressing his sadness toward what had took place.

“It is upsetting to know that a student was allegedly involved in a sexual assault.  It is troubling that many middle school children, their families and their educators were thrust into an upsetting and/or difficult conversation.  It also saddens me that a Whitson’s food service employee working at Longmeadow High was reportedly victimized by sexual harassment,” O’Shea wrote.

Though the nature of the alleged sexual assault and alleged harassment have not been released, O’Shea wrote on behalf of the district that the safety of students remains their highest priority.

“I also want to assure you that the district is taking each incident seriously and that district administrators and staff are working on a preventative strategy and plan to reduce the chances that incidents like these can occur in the future,” O’Shea wrote. “Finally, I want to assure you that we will continue to examine our policies, practices and culture in all settings – classrooms, administrative offices, athletic fields, playgrounds, cafeterias – to ensure that members of our learning community work, learn and play in safe, supportive environments.”

O’Shea closed the letter to families with two linked articles that might “help parents navigate difficult conversations relating to healthy sexuality.”  

When Reminder Publications spoke to O’Shea on Dec. 13, eight days since the alleged incident occurred, he noted similarly to his letter that the district already has strong frameworks in place, and they are looking to bolster their efforts further.

 “Generally, we are interested in strengthening and further developing programs and instruction that can reduce the chances that an incident like this could occur again.  Existing health instruction and an existing K-12 social-emotional learning (SEL) framework provide a strong foundation for this work,” O’Shea said. “Through morning meetings at the elementary level, advisories at the middle school level, through the supports and interventions conducted by school counselors and through health classes at each grade span, children have opportunities to develop important social-emotional capacities including self-esteem, social awareness, responsible decision making, assertiveness, and respect for self and others.”

Moving forward, O’Shea said the district wants to ensure that there is a strategy and plan to ensure that “in developmentally appropriate ways,” students are taught about healthy sexuality, boundaries and consent, as well as they’re made aware of potential for sexual abuse, and that all students understand what to do if they are witnesses to an inappropriate interaction.