05/25/2022 -
Dear Sonoma County Families, Teachers, and Administrators,
Tuesday’s deadly mass shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, has shaken school communities across the nation to their core. We simply must do more to protect our children and the adults who teach them from senseless acts of violence that have become more common in the United States than anywhere else in the world.
In the aftermath of such a tragedy, children will inevitably have fears and questions that they look to adults to address. Parents, teachers, and school administrators may find these resources helpful as they seek to discuss this national tragedy in an age-appropriate way and ensure their students are safe.
Please know that our school districts are constantly evaluating the measures they have in place to keep their students and staff safe. But vigilance and commitment at the local level is no substitute for strong federal action and changes in our nation’s laws that will ensure tragedies like those in Uvalde, Newtown, Parkland, and Littleton, Colorado, among many others, stop happening.
Talking to Children About Violence: Tips for Parents and Teachers, from the National Association of School Psychologists
Responding to School Violence: Tips for Administrators, from the National Association of School Psychologists
Talking with Children About Tragic Events, from the Dougy Center
Supporting Your Child in Stressful Times, flyer from SCOE (English/Spanish)
Although my office strongly recommends these resources, the gun violence afflicting our schools and other public spaces requires more than reassuring words. If you wish to advocate at the national or state level for efforts to end these tragedies, I urge you to contact your members of Congress and the California Legislature, as well as President Joe Biden and Gov. Gavin Newsom.
Steven D. Herrington, Ph. D.
Sonoma County Superintendent of Schools
