A Message from Principal Johanson

5/25/2022 12:00 am

Dear families,

The heartbreaking tragedy that occurred in Texas yesterday is unfathomable and difficult to comprehend. Our most important role in the next few days is to support our students and ensure their emotional well-being.

Children have more access to information than ever before, and parents have less ability to filter. We recognize that many students will come to school today needing reassurance, while others will have no knowledge of what has occurred. Our staff members have experience responding to students with different needs in many situations.

We want families to be aware of our response plan today. School staff will be monitoring students and actively listening to conversations to understand where support and reassurance are needed. Below is our approach to assuring all students feel safe at school:

• We will support our students by listening and reassuring them of the ways we keep them safe.
• We will actively monitor children while arriving and getting settled in the morning. Younger kids (especially)
  can't hold in pressing thoughts for long.
• If students mention the situation, the teacher will call them away and ask how they are feeling about what they
  know.
• Teachers and staff will affirm students’ feelings as a natural response and let them know that we understand if
  they are scared, sad, mad, anxious or have other emotions.
• We will reassure them that they are safe and remind them of the many safety measures we have in place:
  secured classrooms, screening adults/visitors before entering campus and requiring a sign-in and a badge, adults
  monitoring hallways, police officers and security associates on campus or nearby.

Below are resources for talking with children about violence and responding to tragedy in the news. We are here to support your children and take safety very seriously. Please be assured students will be monitored and nurtured, as needed, during this difficult time.
Resources:

• Talking to Children About Violence
• How to Talk About Violence in the News
• Compassion and Acceptance in Crisis

Please email your child's teacher, grade level counselor, or me if your child needs additional support or reassurance to feel safe at school. We are here to support you. Your child’s well-being and safety are our top priority.

Sincerely,
Patricia M. Johanson
Patricia M. Johanson, principal