You may have already heard that Micah was recently involved in a very unfortunate situation at school. The incident has already had an enduring effect on Micah, and now he needs your help. Here are the details:

Last weekend, Micah and a group of boys were all playing together on Xbox. One of the boys lost the game and became upset at the others. They (jokingly) went back and forth at each other online until the game was over. Then the seemingly playful banter carried over to a group text thread with approximately 20  kids. It was in this group chat that the student who lost the game made a threatening comment about using a gun on a list of other students. This is when Micah, in a huge lapse of judgement, made a sarcastic comment, going along with what he thought was a big joke, and encouraged him. 

Unfortunately, as we have taught our children before, sarcasm does not translate well in a text message. Someone on the text thread took the threat seriously (as they should have) and called the police. So last Monday night, 3 police officers showed up at our door looking for Micah. They said that he was involved in a potential school shooting plot and he was wanted for questioning. As you can imagine, we were simply shocked.

The police took Micah's phone for evidence and we were told he could not come to school until they have concluded the investigation. After several days, the police informed us that they believed Micah was no threat and that his comments were truly made in jest, and very poor taste. Unfortunately, the school has a very strict code of conduct and does not consider the student's history before handing down discipline.

At the end of last week, we were informed that the administration at Mill Creek Middle School is recommending that Micah be EXPELLED from school for the remainder of the year. He would not be allowed to finish the 7th grade at Mill Creek, but would have to attend an alternative school to complete his credits. The school board has a due process for all proceedings like this and that is where we need your help....

Micah has a tribunal this Friday, September 10th where we will meet in front of a panel of administrators that will determine his fate. We are hoping and praying that they show grace for Micah as they told us we can present our case for him with witnesses, evidence, and testimonials. We need you to put in some good words for Micah so that we can help get this ruling overturned!

Micah made a stupid mistake, and he should face consequences for his actions. But to expel a student like Micah for a very brief lapse in judgment is far too harsh! This is a student that:

• Never had a single disciplinary infraction, ever
• Has been in AIM all through elementary school
• Is a member of the Beta Club
• Won the Principals Award (highest ES honor) 3 times!
• Never made a grade below an A in any class
• Cares deeply about his academic success

He is an exemplary student, and expelling him from school will do nothing but harm all of the parties involved. This young man who has worked so hard to maintain a perfect academic and behavioral record will have it all torn down in one stroke. The Mill Creek student body will lose one of its brightest and best students, one who's teachers have always hailed as a pleasure and joy to have in class. Micah's teammates will suffer at the loss of one of their peers and their coaches (his father). Nothing good will come out of expelling Micah, only more harm. 

So, if you have had the pleasure to know Micah please take a minute and write a few words about him. On Friday we want the panel to know as much as possible about Micah Simmons. We want them know that he has a community standing behind him and that we do not want to let a momentary lapse in judgment define him in this way.

Thank you all for your support!

Alex and Deena Simmons