Sheriff's deputies responded to a Kitsap County elementary school to investigate an "alleged assault" on the school's playground on Friday, the sheriff's office said in a news release issued Monday.

The incident involved a teacher and a student at Hilder Pearson Elementary School, the sheriff's office said.  The teacher involved went home for the rest of the day.

In a message to parents, the school's principal said that "we received a report that one of our employees had an unacceptable level of physical contact with a student" and that the employee was placed on administrative leave pending an investigation.

A school district representative said the incident was not an "assault."  

The school's principal, in her message to parents said, "Although I will not be able to comment on the specifics of this situation because it is a personnel matter, I want you to know that I am always available to discuss any concerns or questions you may have regarding the safety of our students."

"Allegations of this nature are very serious and the Kitsap County Sheriff's Office will thoroughly investigate the matter," the sheriff's office news release said.

Investigators asked anyone with information about the incident to call the Kitsap County Sheriff's Office at 360-337-7101. People wanting to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers of Puget Sound at 800-222-TIPS (8477).