Memos 2024-25

To: Horizon School Division - ALL Families
From: Kevin C. Garinger, Director of Education
Date: December 3, 2024
Re: URGENT: Circulation of a Graphic and Inappropriate Video
cc: Board of Education
Dear Parents of Horizon School Division Students,
We are urgently emailing all parents and caregivers of Horizon School Division students to inform you about a serious matter that has quickly unfolded today, December 3, 2024. We want to make you aware of the following details:

1. Earlier today, school staff learned that a video involving a Wynyard Composite High School student was posted online and has begun circulating among students of the school through some form of electronic media. We also recognize that there is potential that it was distributed outside the school.
2. The video content is extremely sensitive. We want to warn parents/caregivers and students that the video contains potentially illegal content. Possession, sharing, or posting of the video is also potentially illegal and exposes those who possess or redistribute the video to criminal charges.
3. We understand the video includes one student and are in contact with this student and their family.
4. We also understand that this video and the activities depicted in the video did not occur at the school or during any school event or activity.
5. We are working with the local authorities to take further steps to prevent the possession and distribution of this video within our school communities.

Our primary concern is the safety and well-being of our students, and we appreciate your partnership in addressing this sensitive issue. We ask that all of our school families please speak with their children to determine if they have viewed, possessed, or redistributed a graphic and potentially illegal video.
Horizon’s legal requirements mean we cannot share specific names and actions in this case. This message is not being shared because of any risk of harm to our students at school. Instead, it’s about raising awareness of an inappropriate and illegal video that is circulating. We want to ensure your family and our students know not to possess or share this video, as doing so could unintentionally lead to criminal charges.

We recognize that this is a highly unusual and disturbing situation, which has prompted this urgent communication from us to our families. If your child or children require or would like to access counselling support, please contact your local school and ask to speak to the principal.

If you have remaining concerns and wish to discuss them, please email us at [email protected] and leave a message or a phone number where you can be reached.

We appreciate your immediate
attention to this matter and your ongoing support of your children and our students.

Sincerely,
Kevin C. Garinger B.Ed., M.A.Ed., Ed.D. (Candidate)
Director of Education/CEO
Horizon School Division No. 205