Ben Horsley, superintendent of Granite School District, said the district is redoubling efforts to support students after an increase in bullying and derogatory comments tied to the current political climate.

Horsley said the district — which serves about 58,000 students across 87 schools and includes families who speak more than 100 languages — "love[s] each and every one of our students" and considers them "our children." He urged parents and caregivers to report incidents and seek help from school staff and the district.

"If there's something that we can do to help support your children, to provide investigation or support of inappropriate behavior, especially when it comes to bullying, please don't hesitate to reach out to your school administrator, to your teacher, and if you're not getting the response or help you feel like you need, to please reach out to the Granite School District office so that we can support you in that inquiry," Horsley said.

Horsley framed the appeal as part of a broader effort to ensure a safe, welcoming environment for a diverse student population that includes refugee families and a wide socioeconomic range. "We want your kids here in our schools, that they're not afraid to come and be here and continue to learn and to grow," he said, adding staff remain committed to students' safety, health and learning.

The remarks focused on outreach and investigation rather than any new policy or formal action. Horsley encouraged families to use existing school-level and district-level channels for complaints and support; he did not announce changes to district procedures or specific new programs.

Horsley concluded by asking for increased kindness and support in schools and reaffirming the district's commitment: "We're gonna do everything in our power to make sure they're safe, happy, and healthy, and that they're having an incredible learning experience."