Dear District 97 Staff and Families,
By now you are aware of the horrific school shooting that occurred Tuesday in Uvalde, Texas. Our hearts are with the students, families, teachers and staff of Robb Elementary School who have been impacted by this tragedy.
As educators and parents, we are faced with the difficult task of supporting children who may be scared and struggling to process what occurred. We also know that even as adults, it is difficult to comprehend such a senseless and devastating act of violence. We have included some resources from psychologists and mental health experts below that may be helpful as you approach these difficult conversations in the coming days. Experts emphasize the importance of reassuring children that they are safe, maintaining a normal routine, and creating space to have developmentally appropriate discussions.
Please know that the physical and emotional safety of our students and staff is our highest priority every day. District 97 has implemented a number of measures to increase the security of our buildings. This includes establishing school safety teams, practicing safety procedures through drills and discussions, keeping doors locked and working to discourage propped doors. We will continue to reinforce these protocols with our staff and students to ensure that they are top of mind.
With safety procedures and a crisis plan in place, we continue to encourage vigilance by all members of our school community. If you or your student see suspicious activities, threats, or disturbing information, please report it immediately.
Please know our school psychologists and social workers are always available to speak with students should they need additional support during the school day. If you find this to be the case, please be sure to connect with your child’s school.
Thank you for your continued support of our students and one another.
Sincerely,
Dr. Griff Powell and Dr. Patricia Wernet
Co-Interim Superintendents
Resources
- Talking to Children About Violence: Tips for Parents and Teachers (National Association of School Psychologists)
- Parent Guidelines for Helping Youth After the Recent Shooting (The National Child Traumatic Stress Network)
- Helping Children Cope with Frightening News (Child Mind Institute)
- Coping in the Aftermath of a Shooting (American Counseling Association)
- Talking to Your Children About Guns and Secure Storage Fact Sheet (BeSMART)