PORTLAND: STUDENT FILM SEX ON HIGH SCHOOL CAMPUS

Portland police investigating Grant High students' filming of sexual activity

The Portland police Sex Crimes Unit is investigating reports of Grant High Schoolstudents filming sex between students on and off the high school campus.

A police school resource officer was alerted to the activity last week and informed school administrators.

There was a report that some of the filming occurred in a school restroom and was shared between students.

"As soon as this was brought to our attention, we've been in contact and  working with authorities,'' said Christine Miles, a spokeswoman for the Portland Public School district. 

No arrests have been made, and police have released no further information on the case.

No discipline has been taken at this point, pending the outcome of the police inquiry.

"We'll be looking at all of our policies and procedures,'' Miles said.

Police ask that anyone with information about the case to contact Detective Nathan Sheppard, at (503) 823-3886 or by e-mail atnathan.sheppard@portlandoregon.gov.

This isn't the first report of alleged sexual misconduct at the school. In 2012, the Multnomah County District Attorney's Office declined to bring charges after reports of inappropriate hazing among JV basketball players in the school locker room.

At that time, three boys were suspended, then reinstated, at the school. The fourth was expelled. The allegations involved teammates trying to pin boys down and penetrate them in the anus with a finger through their clothes, authorities said.

On Monday, Grant High School Principal Carol Campbell sent this letter to students' parents, encouraging them to talk with their teens about the legal consequences stemming from misuse of text messages, Instagram, Facebook and other social media.

Dear Grant Community,

 You may see media reports of a police investigation regarding sexual activity on and off campus involving Grant High School Students.  We take student safety very seriously, investigated promptly, and have been cooperating with the police. We are following the district's discipline policies and procedures.   

Due to privacy laws, and out of respect for student and family confidentiality, we will not be sharing any other information about this incident.  

In the last two newsletters, I have included links to online resources that address how parents can monitor teenagers use of social media and smart phones. 

I encourage you to read the articles and have a conversation with your teen about school and legal consequences regarding the misuse of text messaging, Instagram, Facebook and other types of social media.  

Our primary concern is the safety of Grant students.  If you or your student has specific concerns, please contact me. 

Carol Campbell, 

MS. Ed. Principal

--Maxine Bernstein