The second deadliest school shooting in American history has added a heavy weight to schools across the country wrapping up their years.
On Tuesday, 19 students and two teachers were killed in an elementary school shooting in Uvalde, Texas. St. Vrain Valley School District Superintendent Don Haddad shared an email with the community in response to the tragedy.
“As parents and educators, all of us have devoted our lives to advancing the success of our children, and I know that this nightmare weighs on each of us in unimaginable ways,” Haddad said.
He encouraged families with students needing support to reach out to their school so they can be connected to a counselor. If a student is experiencing distress outside of school hours or over the summer, there are a number of resources available:
- Colorado Crisis Services 844-493-8255
- Mental Health Partners (Boulder County), 303-447-1665
- North Range Behavioral Health 24hr Support (Weld County), 970-347-2120
- Tru Hospice Services (all counties), 877-986-4766
- Walk in Crisis Center, 3180 Airport Road Boulder, CO 80301
The district also emphasizes its multilayered approach to school safety. There are 156 school counselors, psychologists, interventionists and social workers in the St. Vrain school district working to support student mental health and overall wellbeing.
There are also 25 school resource officers in the district partnering with local law enforcement agencies, along with 38 campus supervisors who support school administrators, SROs, teachers and staff in establishing and maintaining a safe and healthy school environment.
“It is the partnerships across our community — our students, families, teachers and staff, law enforcement agencies and community leaders — that protect the safety and sanctity of our school environments,” Haddad said.
St. Vrain works with the Safe2Tell Hotline to allow for anonymous tips concerning school and student safety, which can be reached by calling 1-877-542-7233 or at www.safe2tell.org.
Over the past 10 years, the St. Vrain school district has invested $45 million into school safety and security upgrades, like secured double-vestibule entrances, security cameras and more.
Other upgrades in recent years include connecting more schools to a notification system that allows the district to better communicate during an emergency; expansion of the 911 Call Aware program, which alerts district security to emergency calls as soon as they are made; and upgrades to door hardware and burglar alarms.
“I know that we will all be holding each other a little tighter as we reflect on the importance of every person in our community, and our purpose in public education to champion the safety, well-being and success of our children,” Haddad said.
GoFundMe has established a verified hub for people looking to support the victims of the Texas school shooting at www.gofundme.com/c/act/donate-to-texas-elementary-school-shooting-relief.
