APS cancels last day at Ellis, IJ over 'potential safety concern' to students
May 30—Due to what was termed as a "potential safety concern," at Ellis Middle School, the Austin Public Schools District has made the decision to cancel the last day of school for both Ellis Middle School and IJ Holton Intermediate School.
In a letter to district parents, Superintendent Dr. Joey Page made the announcement earlier this morning.
"Due to the timing of this report and our need to fully assess the situation, we have made the decision to cancel the last day of school for Ellis Middle School students," Page explained in the letter. "Additionall, IJ Holton, due to its close proximity to Ellis, will also be closed to students."
Citing the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, Page said he was unable to go into details regarding the situation saying only that the district was working with law enforcement to investigate the threat's nature and that it is "taking every precaution to ensure the safety of our community."
"All threats of violence — even those made in jest — are taken seriously and may result in student discipline, including possible expulsion and involvement of law enforcement," Page's letter said.
Austin Police Chief David McKichan confirmed that the district had reached out to the Austin Police Department, which continues to look into the threats.
"Austin Public Schools received information about a potential safety concern involving students at Ellis Middle School. They did contact us to investigate, and that investigation is ongoing," McKichan said in a statement. "We do have two School Resource Officers (SRO) assigned to the school district. One of those is dedicated to the Ellis/IJH joint campus and is assigned this case. The other SRO, and any of our other staff, would of course assist as needed."
The letter ended with Page urging parents or their students that if they hear of any threats to call 911 to report it.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
UPDATE: APS cancels last day at Ellis, IJ over 'potential safety concern;' AHS graduation unaffected
May 30—Due to what was termed as a "potential safety concern," at Ellis Middle School, the Austin Public Schools District has made the decision to cancel the last day of school for both Ellis Middle School and IJ Holton Intermediate School. In a letter to district parents, Superintendent Dr. Joey Page made the announcement early Friday morning. "Due to the timing of this report and our need to fully assess the situation, we have made the decision to cancel the last day of school for Ellis Middle School students," Page explained in the letter. "Additionally, IJ Holton, due to its close proximity to Ellis, will also be closed to students." Citing the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, Page said he was unable to go into details regarding the situation saying only that the district was working with law enforcement to investigate the threat's nature and that it is "taking every precaution to ensure the safety of our community." "All threats of violence — even those made in jest — are taken seriously and may result in student discipline, including possible expulsion and involvement of law enforcement," Page's letter said. However, later in the day on Friday, Page confirmed that the report of a possible safety threat had come in late Thursday evening. Austin Police Chief David McKichan confirmed that the district had reached out to the Austin Police Department, which continues to look into the threat. "Austin Public Schools received information about a potential safety concern involving students at Ellis Middle School. They did contact us to investigate, and that investigation is ongoing," McKichan said in a statement. "We do have two School Resource Officers (SRO) assigned to the school district. One of those is dedicated to the Ellis/IJH joint campus and is assigned this case. The other SRO, and any of our other staff, would of course assist as needed." Page has said that this incident had no bearing on Austin High School's commencement which took place as planned Friday night. The letter ended with Page urging parents or their students that if they hear of any threats to call 911 to report it.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
AHS graduates poised to continue their story
May 30—There was a lot of tradition on hand Friday night during the 149th commencement ceremony at Austin High School. One of those traditions is the video of the high distinction students, taking turns as they go and exemplifying the achievements marked by the year's defining high school moment. The quotes were many and encompassing and included such examples as: "Each of us is a piece of a puzzle." "Working hard has shaped me into the person I am today." "We still have pieces to place." Each of the graduates who spoke during the video touched on moments of time lived by the graduates throughout their journey through the Austin Public Schools system, something that was marked by administration, who lauded the Class of 2025 for meeting extraordinary challenges and coming out stronger on the other side. "I just don't see students in caps and gowns," Principal Matt Schmit said. "I see stories." He noted how the graduates overcame these challenges and celebrated successes, but Schmit also took a moment to touch on fear. Not because it was defining in some way, but rather because of how the students approached and overcame the fear that can arise from so many sources. Running parallel is the courage that defines the student's poise in walking past fear to achieve their goals. "It's a sign of stepping into something bigger," Schmit said. "Don't let fear write your story." While graduation tends to be a moment in time leading into a new moment, Superintendent Dr. Joey Page spoke of celebration. He touched on how this class was instrumental in the growth of enrollment and graduates at the school and how they have set their legacy. "Tonight is about joy, pride and celebrating the Class of 2025," he said. "This moment is the culmination of years of hard work, perseverance and growth." "Success begins with being present," he later added. He finished his speech by urging students to go out and make their mark on the world, because this portion of the story telling the tale of their time at AHS has already been written. "You've already made your mark on Austin Public Schools," he said.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
2008 NFL draft do-over has the Saints passing on a former first-round bust
How do you define an NFL draft bust? Is it someone who doesn't last long in the league, or a player who just doesn't meet expectations? Depending on how harshly you grade draft picks, your opinion could fall between either one of those extremes. And that brings us to former New Orleans Saints first-round draft pick Sedrick Ellis, who the team traded up to get back in 2008. Pro Football Focus analysts Max Chadwick, Dalton Wasserman, and Trevor Sikkema spun the clock all the way back for a do-over of that draft class using the benefits of hindsight. And they didn't have the Saints trading up three spots from No. 10 to pick Ellis, or even drafting him at all. Instead, they went with future three-time Pro Bowl wide receiver DeSean Jackson. Advertisement PFF's explanation? Surrounding Drew Brees with more weapons to start his Saints career, adding Jackson to a receiving corps that already featured Marques Colston, Lance Moore, and Devery Henderson, plus running backs Reggie Bush and Pierre Thomas. The Saints also had Robert Meachem coming off of rookie-year knee surgery but Jackson would've given the receiving corps significantly more juice. While Ellis wasn't taken in the first round of this redraft (which isn't too surprising; he washed out of the league after playing out his five-year rookie contract with the Saints), one of his teammates was. Carl Nicks was picked in the fifth round by New Orleans but in this do-over went at No. 18 overall to the Houston Texans. Here's why: Nicks was forced to retire after just six seasons due to a MRSA infection. He was named a first-team All-Pro once, a second-team All-Pro once and a Pro Bowler twice. He earned an 83.0-plus PFF overall grade in each of his four seasons with New Orleans, and even recorded 77.0-plus PFF overall grades in each of his seasons with the Buccaneers before retiring. He is one of the best value picks in this draft. If not for that unfortunate injury Nicks may have made his case for the Pro Football Hall of Fame just like his tag-team partner Jahri Evans did. It's a shame his career didn't last longer in New Orleans. He was one of three members of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers who were diagnosed with MRSA infections, two of whom had their careers cut short by it. Playing for Houston or staying with the Saints may have made a world of difference for him. This article originally appeared on Saints Wire: Saints dodge draft bust, miss potential HOFer in 2008 draft do-over
