February 4, 2025
Dear Middletown Families and Community Members,
The strength of Middletown Public Schools lies in our commitment to providing all students with a safe, supportive environment where they can learn and thrive. Given recent federal actions regarding immigration enforcement, I want to share our district's commitment to protecting every student's right to education and outline the measures we have in place to ensure their safety and privacy.
Your Child's Right to Education
Every child – regardless of immigration or citizenship status – has a Constitutional right to access public K-12 education. Middletown Public Schools does not and will not collect or maintain information about the immigration or citizenship status of our students or their families.
Additionally, the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) protects all student information, ensuring it remains confidential and accessible only to parents or legal guardians except in specific cases.
Our Commitment to Student Safety and Security
We have clear protocols in place to protect our learning environment while respecting the law:
Designated Points of Contact: Each school’s building principal is responsible for handling any immigration-related matters.
Strict Verification Process: Any law enforcement or immigration agents must provide proper identification and documentation before accessing our buildings.
Legal Review Required: If presented with any legal documents, our district's legal counsel will review them before any action is taken.
Immediate Communication: If any immigration enforcement activity affects our schools, we will communicate promptly with affected families.
Citywide Coordination: We are working in close partnership with external partners including the Middletown Police Department, Mayor’s Office, and community organizations to provide accurate and up-to-date information.
Support Services Available
We understand this topic may create anxiety for some families. Please know that:
School counselors and mental health professionals are available to support your children
Our Family Engagement Liaisons can connect you additional resources and support services
We have this resource document with information to support educators and families
Your partnership strengthens our school community. If you have questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to contact your child's principal. We remain committed to ensuring that every student feels welcome, safe, and supported in Middletown Public Schools.
Sincerely,
Dr. Alberto Vázquez Matos
Superintendent of Schools
Middletown Public Schools
This letter is also available to view in Google Docs (click here). Esta carta tambiĂ©n está disponible para ver en Google Docs (haga clic aquĂ).