The Michigan Department of Civil Rights issued a statement this week calling on the Ann Arbor school district to step up its conflict resolution and cultural competency programs following an assault lsst week in which a Muslim student was allegedly called racial and ethnic slurs.

The statement from Kelvin Scott, the director of the department, says: “The Department of Civil Rights is concerned about information it has received indicating tensions in the community between youth of various ethnic groups were high even before this incident occurred. Unfortunately, that tension may have escalated as the week has progressed.

“We urge Ann Arbor schools not to treat this as an isolated incident to be resolved by discipline alone, but rather, to acknowledge the broader issues involved. The inclusion of conflict resolution and cultural competency programming is needed immediately and for all students. To have such an occurrence take place as the new school year begins is truly disheartening.”

A department spokeswoman said the office isn’t conducting a full investigation of the incident because it hasn’t been formally asked to.

Ann Arbor Superintendent Todd Roberts said the district “certainly took appropriate discipline and are working to provide conflict resolution to the students involved.”

He also said the district has an in-depth cultural competency program already in place.

Skyline High School Principal Sulura Jackson said in an e-mail to parents that the students involved were disciplined.

“It is our goal to make sure that such isolated incidents of conflict among our students does not occur. We will continue to stress the importance of building relationships and respect for self and others, personal integrity and the value of diversity in our school community,” Jackson wrote to parents.

The district did not release any other details on the punishment or the students involved.

Ann Arbor police have said they are investigating the incident, but would not provide any other details.

The MDCR said the district should use this situation to teach students.

“All our children have the right to attend schools that are safe and free of harassment. Students need to be provided the tools to work together and refute the many misconceptions about people or other races and faiths. Children in particular should never have to fear what may happen to them while they attend school, participate in school-sponsored events or while they are traveling to and from school.”