McMeen Elementary

Dear McMeen Families,

We’ve had several recent incidents where students were involved in conflicts and explained their actions by saying they were told to “defend themselves.” I want to be very clear: there is a significant difference between self-defense and retaliation, and it’s important that we are all aligned in what we’re teaching our children—both at home and at school.

We understand and support the desire for your child to feel safe and stand up for themselves. However, defending yourself does not mean hitting back, pushing, or using physical force. That is retaliation. Retaliation escalates conflict, often leads to harm, and will result in school consequences. Conflict resolution is not punching each other.

As a Capturing Kids’ Hearts school, we intentionally teach students how to manage conflict through the lens of character—respect, responsibility, courage, kindness, and self-control. These values are reflected in our classroom social contracts and reinforced daily in how we speak, treat others, and repair harm.

We often compare these moments to what happens between siblings—when one reacts physically out of frustration, the other may respond in kind. It’s a natural reaction when children haven’t yet built the tools to manage big emotions. At McMeen, we are focused on helping students grow in resiliency—the ability to pause, choose their response, and remain calm under pressure. These skills build self-esteem, help prevent bullying, and allow students to resolve conflicts without causing further harm.

True self-defense means using your voice, removing yourself from danger, and seeking help from an adult. Retaliation is a choice—and one we are working hard to help students unlearn.

We have so many exciting events and celebrations planned in the coming weeks. I would truly hate for any student to miss out on those moments—field trips, assemblies, field day, and more—because they made a choice to retaliate instead of regulate.

Please continue these conversations at home. When families and schools speak the same language—rooted in trust, accountability, and character—our students thrive.

Thank you for your continued support in helping McMeen grow strong, kind, and courageous learners.

With appreciation,

Principal Hinman