Dear Shrewsbury Families,
Over the past few days you have likely seen news about changes in federal policies regarding enforcement of immigration laws, including a change in the Department of Homeland Security’s own policy regarding conducting enforcement actions in schools.
Understandably, this information has created confusion, concern, and in some cases fear among many in our community. I am writing to you to provide some clarity regarding this issue. Please note:
- Our schools’ highest priority is educating all of our students well in a safe and supportive environment.
- Immigration enforcement is the responsibility of federal agencies, not local school systems.
- Our school district complies with all local, state, and federal laws, including:
a. the federal law requiring equal access to a public education for all students, regardless of immigration status, as determined by the Plyler v. Doe United States Supreme Court decision (where school districts may neither inquire about nor consider citizenship status for enrollment);
b. the federal and state laws protecting the confidentiality of personal and educational information of students and families (i.e., the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act and Massachusetts law and regulations);
c. the legal rights of principals to control access to school campuses; and
d. the obligation to act in accordance with judicial orders.
Our schools will continue to follow our protocol to require a court-issued warrant should any law enforcement agency, including immigration officials, request access to a school campus for enforcement or investigatory action or request information held by the school.
We honor our district’s core values by providing all of our students with the best possible education within a safe and supportive school environment of acceptance and respect. We do so in keeping with the longstanding legal doctrine of in loco parentis (“in the place of a parent”) to care for all of our students when they are in school. We want your children to attend school every day so that we can meet our responsibilities to educate them. If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to your school’s principal.
Respectfully,
Joe Sawyer
Superintendent of Schools