The tragic events of the school shooting in Florida on Wednesday were extremely saddening. As educators and parents,
it is difficult to comprehend such heart-wrenching events.
Our thoughts extend to all those affected, and we acknowledge the
bravery of the first responders, staff, and students who reacted so quickly to ensure the safety of others.
We recognize the impact these types of events can have on our school community. Each one of us is affected in a
different way. And, yet, the impact is undeniable. As we are faced with getting back to our everyday life, we write
to assure you of the priority we place on the safety and security of our students each and every day.
As news of the tragic events of the school shooting in Florida have begun to unfold, our thoughts have immediately turned
to our own ongoing efforts to ensure that our school is a physically and emotionally safe environment for every student. We have a crisis/safety team at Johnny Appleseed School that works hard to make sure we are current with all our saftey measures and procedures. As a district we continue to use a hybrid of the A.L.I.C.E. model. Site based Administrators are
trained with this approach and students have practiced once so far this year. We will continue to be vigilant in our review of
current emergency protocols in our ongoing effort to ensure student safety, and we will use the information gleaned from
these unfortunate events to strengthen the already strong protocols we have in place.
Speaking with your child about this tragic event is difficult. Should you find that your child is struggling to process the
events from Wednesday, you may find the following resources helpful online (and with printable versions):
Talking to children about Violence
Tips for talking to students about school shootings
Managing your distress in the aftermath of a school shooting
Coping in the aftermath of a school shooting
As we move forward, we are reminded of the importance of the community and the connectedness we share. The safety
of our school is very important and our first priority.
Sincerely,
The Guidance Department
Melissa Hopkins, Karen Russo, and Katie Ruggles
