Winnetka police are investigating an incident involving Winnetka District 36 students at Dwyer Park, according to a statement from the school district.
Police declined to provide information about the incident or release a police report, citing the Juvenile Court Act. Pioneer Press submitted a Freedom of Information Act request for a copy of the police report which was denied and is being appealed. School Superintendent Kelly Tess said she is “horrified” by the incident, but also would not provide details.
District 36 sent messages to families with limited details, citing an ongoing investigation by police. The notes included information about the board’s recent Safe, Secure & Healthy Schools Resolution, which outlines how the district plans to address safety. Steps include updating the parent/student handbook with legal information for parents who own firearms, creation of a third party path for residents to report safety concerns, use of operational and behavioral policies and continued work with law enforcement, health agencies and other groups to promote safety.
“The incident on Friday is one of several examples we can point to that indicate that we can do better as a community,” Superintendent Kelly Tess wrote in a letter to families on Saturday, Sept. 24. “Certainly in this case we will reflect on what more we need to do for our children, but we also have an opportunity to reflect on our role and responsibility in bettering our community as adults.”
One letter told families that all five schools in the district held all-school assemblies to highlight the need for students to say something if they see anything concerning. For middle school students, a portion of the presentation included anti-bullying messaging.
Since the incident took place off campus and outside school hours, Tess said they are unable to take disciplinary action and the matter will be handled by the Winnetka Police Department.
“We tread lightly when off-campus conduct occurs to ensure that any discipline meets the legal standard and protects student rights. That does not mean that we ignore off-campus conduct,” said a statement from the district. “Instead, we rely on our educational mission to teach appropriate behavior and our proximity to the students involved to intervene in different ways other than suspending or expelling students from school.”