No school! echoed hallways, text messages, and excited minds as students prepared for the unexpected day off. Of course, there lay a darker meaning behind the three day weekend… a threat. This was not the first time Newman students had enjoyed a day of freedom on the basis of violent messages. In 2016, the first day of school was postponed after angry vandalism was spray painted on the sides of school. Later that year, a threat was sent through social media and Newman took another day off. This time, a letter with threatening and racially charged language was sent to the school. Students, however, largely seem comfortable with the level of security at the school and were not traumatized by the news. As many students enjoyed a three day weekend, Newman prepared to return on Monday with heightened security. Although many students had questions, they mainly rotated around curiosity about the exact wording the letter contained–information that remained off limits to the students. As the FBI and police continued an investigation to find who sent the letter, the new school week began with an assembly where the head of school, Mr. Smith, firmly stated, “Newman rejects racism in all forms. Period. Full Stop.”

This was not the last students heard from administration about the letter, as Mrs. McCormick welcomed questions at class meetings and provided as much information as she could. While much of the letter remains a mystery to the student body, safety remains a priority of the Newman community as students continue on with their school year as usual.