September 23, 2022

As many of you have heard or seen in the news, our school and community are facing some recent concerns with fentanyl use among teens.  I feel it is important to keep our families in the know of the facts surrounding the situation affecting our students and staff.

Since August, OGHS has lost 1 teen life (just before school started)  and 3 teens have overdosed (just last week) on opioid use, which we believe to be specifically fentanyl.   Although these incidents have not ocured on school grounds, our concern for our students, school and community is great.  

We are working closely with OGPD and their investigation to find those dispersing these pills.  As a school district, we are working to provide students (middle and high school) with education and knowledge of what these drugs are and the harm they can cause.  We have had, and will continue to have, drug dogs present and sweeping the high school and middle school buildings periodically to deter anyone from bringing drugs into the school.  We are encouraging students to See Something.....Say Something in efforts to keep our school a safe place.

The School District and City of Oak Grove are collaboratively hosting a Community Awareness Night on October 12th, focusing on resources and knowledge surrounding drug use and mental health/trauma.  The attached flier has more information. We encourage families, Oak Grove community members and surrounding community members to attend!  

The high school and middle school have shared these videos with students and as a mom, I shared these videos with my children as well.  They provide some great information regarding Fentanyl:

     https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f8GZ264ND78

     https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5BQ5J7qaaCQ

     https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f-hHle2HwQA

We are Better Together as a school and community but it takes all of us working together to ensure our youth are safe and educated!

Sincerely,

Mindy Hampton

Superintendent of Schools