CVSD Response to Texas School Violence

 

May 24, 2022

Dear CVSD Community,

Many elements of this letter come from a well-written statement from the Addison Central School District. Thank you to them for sharing it with us. 

It is with immense sadness that I write to mourn another act of gun violence in our nation’s schools, especially after just acknowledging recent violent acts in our most recent newsletter. Our thoughts are with the parents and community of Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas. As a native Texan who began my educational career in a district similar to Uvalde, it really pains me to see this happen yet again in schools and in Texas.

As we hold these families in our hearts, it is crucial that we continue the daily work that keeps our students, families, and staff safe and cared for. I want to assure you that we are focused both on our safety systems and on strengthening the relationships and lines of communication that prevent acts of violence.

CVSD’s staff and leaders receive training as recommended by the Vermont School Crisis System, created by the Agency of Education and the Department of Public Safety. We host training and drills at each school to prepare for school crises. Each school has an identified Crisis Team. We have strong working relationships and work actively with emergency responders in all of our district’s towns to support inter-agency leadership in the event of a school crisis. We continue to fund safety improvements to our buildings and utilize safety audits to determine areas for future investment.

In concert with these systems, it is essential that we continue to build a culture where every student feels safe, seen, and understood. We have an incredibly strong group of leaders, educators, counselors, school clinicians, social workers, school nurses, and school psychologists that are providing, every day, critical support for the students in our community.

These events can make us feel helpless and unsure of how to talk to our children. Events such as these provide us the opportunity to talk to them. Help them identify the trusted adults in their life and remind them of the importance of sharing any concerning words or behavior that they see in school, on social media, or elsewhere with you, a teacher, school administrator, or other trusted adult.

It is unfathomable that we have faced so many of these tragedies together. In these moments, I join you first as a parent. It is my sincere hope that we will join together to ensure a safer future for our children.

~ Rene

 

Additional Resources:

• For additional support, visit the National Association of School Psychologists’ guide to talking to children about violence.
• Restoring a Sense of Safety: Tips for Parents and Professionals
• Helping Your Child Cope with Public Tragedy
• First Call 802.488.7777
• Explaining News to Children, Common Sense Media