District offers resources for parents, staff following Texas school shooting

By Brandi Makuski

The Stevens Point Area Public School District has reached out to parents and faculty with some words of comfort and resources following the mass shooting that occurred on May 24 in Uvalde, Texas.

According to the San Antonio Express, 18-year-old Salvador Rolando Ramos entered Robb Elementary School, armed with a handgun, and possibly a rifle, at 11:32 a.m. on May 24 and opened fire. Nineteen children in second, third, and fourth grades and two teachers were killed.

Superintendent Craig Gerlach said in a statement released Wednesday morning that school safety remains a top priority for the district.

“Seeing yet another senseless act of violence and loss of life in a school is deeply painful and frustrating. I want you to know, like communities all over the country, conversations around school safety will continue to take place in our district with school leaders and with local police, sheriff, and emergency management departments,” Gerlach said in the statement emailed to parents and school staff members.

The district created its District Safety and Security Team a number of years ago, and Gerlach said that team meets regularly to review, and if necessary, update crisis procedures. The committee is comprised of members of local law enforcement, school principals, student services, communications, technology, and buildings and grounds personnel.

“A review of the Texas tragedy and review of our current practices will take place at their next meeting and any changes will be communicated to both staff and families,” Gerlach said. “While there is no simple or singular solution, we will continue to focus on providing a safe educational environment for our students, staff, and the families we serve.”

Since Gerlach was hired in 2016, the district has watched as more than 100 school shootings occurred across the nation, and has since proactively updated or installed numerous security features in all of its buildings. Those features include limiting building access, and requiring that visitors identify themselves before school staff remotely activates the door. Additional video surveillance has also been added inside schools and on playgrounds and parking areas.

The district has also strengthened its relationship with law enforcement and other relevant agencies and regularly trains and drills students and staff for intruder and active shooter situations, just as they do with fire and tornado drills.

Gerlach also said support and counseling in schools for students and staff who are having a hard time dealing with the tragic news from Texas.

He also included some bullet points from the National Association of School Psychologists for staff, or for parents, when talking to students about school violence:

• Schools are safe places. School staff works with parents and public safety providers (local police and fire departments, emergency responders, hospitals, etc.) to keep you safe.
• The school building is safe because … (cite specific school procedures).
• We all play a role in school safety. Be observant and let an adult know if you see or hear something that makes you feel uncomfortable, nervous, or frightened.
• There is a difference between reporting, tattling, or gossiping. You can provide important information that may prevent harm either directly or anonymously by telling a trusted adult what you know or hear.
• Although there is no absolute guarantee that something bad will never happen, it is important to understand the difference between the possibility of something happening and probability that it will affect you (our school community).
• Senseless violence is hard for everyone to understand. Doing things that you enjoy, sticking to your normal routine, and being with friends and family help make us feel better and keep us from worrying about the event.
• Sometimes people do bad things that hurt others. They may be unable to handle their anger, under the influence of drugs or alcohol, or suffering from mental illness. Adults (parents, teachers, police officers, doctors, faith leaders) work very hard to get those people help and keep them from hurting others. It is important for all of us to know how to get help if we feel really upset or angry and to stay away from drugs and alcohol.
• Stay away from guns and other weapons. Tell an adult if you know someone has a gun. Access to guns is one of the leading risk factors for deadly violence.
• Violence is never a solution to personal problems. Students can be part of the positive solution by participating in anti-violence programs at school, learning conflict mediation skills, and seeking help from an adult if they or a peer is struggling with anger, depression, or other emotions they cannot control.

“If you have students who are struggling to process the events yesterday, please refer them to a student services team member in your building,” Gerlach said. “If you find that you are struggling to process the events from yesterday, please do not hesitate to reach out to our free and confidential EAP services.”

“Please know, that I am determined to do whatever I can to keep our staff and students safe,” he said.