The complete text of the notice follows:

Important Notice from the Piedmont Unified School District

October 19, 2012



TO PARENTS OF PHS STUDENTS



I am writing to follow up on information that has surfaced recently as part of our annual "Date Rape Prevention" assembly. Every student and many parents at PHS have seen this assembly that grew out of real-life incidents experienced by Piedmont students.



We have recently heard of troubling incidents involving our students that I feel are important to share with all parents. Based on the "fantasy league" game concept, it has been reported that students on some of our Varsity Teams have set up a "Fantasy Slut League" in which our female students (unbeknownst to most of them) are drafted as part of the league. Male students earn points for documented engagement in sexual activities with female students. Although I was surprised and sorry to find out that this concept is not unique to Piedmont High School, it does not deter our responsibilities as an educational community to address it.



The Administrative staff conducted an investigation by interviewing students, parents and staff as to facts about such a league with the interest of identifying individuals involved, including student victims. We did not get any specific identification of male or female student participants. What we did gather prompted me to share information with parents so that you can be partners in reinforcing our mission to develop young people who treat each other with dignity, respect, and courtesy. Our information revealed:

General recognition that over the past 5-6 years such a league has existed in one form or another as part of "bonding" for some Varsity Teams during their seasons of sport.

Many students (male and female) were aware of it and participated.

Male and female students felt pressure to participate and/or lacked confidence to overtly stop it.

Participation often involved pressure/manipulation by older students that included alcohol to impair judgment/control and social demands to be popular, feel included and attractive to upper classmen.

A commitment from current Varsity Team members that there is none of the activity going on now (at least from this point forward).

Fear that participation in the league could have in-school discipline consequences and affect future college acceptance.

The entire Piedmont High School staff joins me in developing activities and conducting discussions to strengthen student integrity and the confidence to act in positive ways. The revelation that students expressed concern that the fallout could result in discipline and affect their college applications suggests an understanding by students that there is something wrong with the "Fantasy Slut League." While off-campus activities are not subject to school discipline, because it involves our students it involves us. At this point, because we do not have specifics about participants or victims, our focus is on education and understanding moving forward, not discipline for past activities.

Our Acting teacher, Kim Taylor, who developed the "Date Rape Prevention" assembly, is collecting personal stories from a variety of student (and adult) sources to develop a similar type assembly that addresses this issue and other related personal integrity issues. Afterward, facilitated structured discussions with students will occur in classes. We are also establishing a new meeting for athletes at the start of each season to address issues of sportsmanship, conduct, and integrity. Additionally, we will also discuss a more comprehensive way to address these issues as part of our PHS School Site Council goals.

What we are asking of parents:

The purpose of alerting parents to this type of activity is to encourage you to talk with your teen. Include allowing your student to share his/her perspective. Encourage your child to understand their personal boundaries and provide strategies how to maintain those boundaries. Support them in taking a stand in the face of activities they know to be wrong. Help them truly understand what respect for their own and opposite gender looks like. Model what you want of them. We will let you know when the assemblies are scheduled so that you can seize the opportunity to continue the dialogue.

You have heard me say "we are all in this together." We have to act in unison to help our students grow and develop into the young men and women we envision. We have an incredible group of students who are going to be tomorrow's leaders. Let us give them all of the support, education and tools they need to become who we know they are.

Please be bold in your conversations with your child. Feel free to contact me, Anne Dolid, Karyn Shipp and/or your child?s counselor if you have any questions or would like additional support. If you discover your child is in distress or has been taken advantage of, please contact the PHS Wellness Center so that we can provide him/her support.

Thank you for working with the Piedmont High School staff in providing the 360 degree support that makes Piedmont a community.

Sincerely,

Rich Kitchens and the PHS Staff