January   24,   2016
Dear   Desert   Vista   Families,
First   I   want   to   thank   you   for   your   continued   support   of   Desert   Vista   High   School.
Please   know   that   I   value   what   you   have   to   say   and   wish   that   I   could   personally   reply   to   each   and   every   voicemail   and   email,   but   realistically   I   cannot.
I   do   appreciate   you   taking   the   time   to   contact   me   and   forgive   me   for   addressing   your   messages   in   a   mass   email.
On   Friday   during   our   senior   panoramic   pictures   a   very   poor   decision   was   made.
For   years,   Desert
Vista   High   School   seniors   have   taken   a   panoramic   picture.
Students   were   allowed   to   spell   out
“Best*you’ve*ever*seen*Class*of*2016."   While   waiting   to   get   in   place   on   the   bleachers   for   the   photo,   some   of   the   students   were   rearranging   letters   and   spelling   other   words.
Unfortunately,   six   of   our   students   chose   to   spell   out   a   very   derogatory   and   demeaning   word   and   a   photo   was   taken.
Within   minutes   it   was   posted   and   retweeted.
This   decision   has   immensely   impacted   our   students   and   community.
As   the   principal   of   Desert   Vista,   I   value   communicating   to   families   as   quickly   as   I   can.
I   have   a   responsibility   to   balance   that   desire   with   taking   the   time   and   effort   to   ensure   I   am   sharing   accurate   information   and   with   consideration   of   due   process   rights.
You   can   trust   when   we   deal   with   disciplinary   issues,   students   receive   fair   treatment   which   includes   due   process   and   a   thorough   investigation.
Our   school   has   been   blessed   with   amazing   students,   caring   faculty   and   staff   and   supportive   parents   since   its   existence.
This   incident   does   not   define   any   of   us   but   we   are   taking   it   seriously   and   will   follow   district   policies   and   procedures   while   creating   a   plan   to   move   forward.
I   am   working   with   district   administration,   teachers,   staff,   parents,   students   and   community   members.
We   will   modify   our   schedule   tomorrow   to   allow   time   within   the   regularly   scheduled   school   day   for   students   and   their   teachers   to   participate   in   activities   to   help   bring   us   together   in   unity.
As   we   move   forward,   there   will   also   be   parent   communications   and   information   about   how   you   may   contribute   to   that   effort.
It   weighs   heavy   on   my   heart   that   our   families   are   feeling   such   pain   and   frustration.
I   look   forward   to   partnering   with   you   as   we   heal   together.
Our   guidance   counselors   will   be   available   to   any   students   who   would   like   to   spend   some   time   talking   with   them.
As   always,   we   work   with   Phoenix   Police   and   our   own   security   staff   to   ensure   the   safety   of   our   students   and   staff.
We   are   and   always   have   strived   for   Excellence   Through   Performance   and   that   will   not   change.
Thank   you   again   for   your   support   and   understanding.
Sincerely,
Christine   Barela