April 9, 2019
Dear Ellis Families:
It is our priority to keep you informed of incidents related to student safety. This letter
is to let you know that last night someone used gasoline to burn an anti-Semitic symbol
on the asphalt near the playground at our school. We condemn this act of hate speech.
We contacted Denver police and the DPS Department of Safety. Officers are
investigating. Officers were on campus today during their investigation.
We have notified the staff and faculty team at Ellis, but will not be making a group
announcement to students. We do not believe any student saw the hateful image.
However, they may have seen police officers present at our school today.
The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) provides resources for talking to your children about
incidents like this. We will have the school psychologist, Michelle McGuire, as well as
DPS crisis team available to assist students in coping with their feelings and concerns.
Crisis team members are DPS school psychologists and social workers from around the
district. Continued support will be available for students and staff. Please let us know if
you want us to provide these services to your child.
I would like to assure you that the safety and well-being of our students is our top
priority. I also want to take reiterate our commitment as a school and as a school
district that we are united against hate. As always, feel free to reach out to me if you
have any questions.
Sincerely,
Nichole Whiteman
Principal