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ASHLAND – The Superintendent of Schools in Ashland sent an email to families after yet another mass shooting at an elementary school in Texas.
“As you may have seen in the news, there was, yet again, another senseless school shooting on Tuesday. Reports state that 14 students and one teacher at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas lost their lives. My heart is with the family of the teacher and each child lost, as well as the entire Uvalde community,” wrote Superintendent Jim Adams.
“This comes less than a month after the Buffalo shooting and countless other tragedies which have gone underreported or been lost in the news cycle,” said Ashland Supt. Adams.
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Eighteen children and one adult were killed in Tuesday’s mass shooting in Uvalde, Texas, according to Sgt. Erick Estrada of the Texas Department of Public Safety.
The Texas shooting is the deadliest US school shooting since the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting in Parkland, Florida, in February 2018, when 17 people were killed.
The Uvalde massacre is the second deadliest shooting at a U.S. grade school on record, following the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary shooting in Newtown, Connecticut, according to The New York Times
“As these numerous tragic events show, no one ever believes their community will be affected by a senseless act of violence. We urge families and educators to talk to their students and monitor their behavior while providing the necessary comfort and resources. It may seem like a daunting discussion, which I have also had with my two teenage sons, so I’d like to share tips from the National Association of School Psychologists to talk to children about violence and tips from Common Sense Media to talk to kids about school shootings,” wrote Supt. Adams.
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“Our district is prepared to help bridge those conversations in a developmentally appropriate, clear, and straightforward manner. Each student is encouraged to ask questions and talk about their feelings to help them process these events. District counselors, who will be provided with a list of resources by Director of Counseling and Social-Emotional Learning Jen Cutler, are available for any student needing help. You may also contact your school principal for more resources or information,” wrote the Ashland Superintendent of Schools.
“We know events like these are painful and may induce anxiety about our school safety. As always, our number one priority is the safety and well-being of our students, faculty, and staff. We will continue to make our schools the safest place for our employees and students during the school day by working closely with the Ashland Police and Fire Departments on safety protocols or emergency procedures,” said Supt. Adams.
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“Again, I ask you to keep the Uvalde Consolidated Independent School District community in your thoughts and prayers, especially the staff and students of the affected elementary school whose lives have been lost or forever altered. Please hold your loved ones a little tighter tonight, and do not hesitate to contact me with any questions or concerns,” concluded Supt. Adams.
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Editor’s note: stock photo
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