May 25, 2022 Community Update: Please read today’s message regarding the shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas
Dear Team BCPS:
Our hearts, thoughts, and prayers are with the Robb Elementary School families, staff, and community members whose lives have forever been changed by yesterday’s senseless act of violence in Uvalde, Texas. As our nation grieves and grapples with how to make impactful change so that all children are safe, we remain committed to partnering with our elected officials, parents, staff, and members of the BCPS community to address this critical issue.
In collaboration with the Baltimore County Police Department, we take a proactive, multi-pronged approach to ensuring that each school is safe and secure. We require all schools to perform emergency preparedness drills multiple times a year so they can respond quickly and safely in an emergency. School Resource Officers work closely with the school administrative teams to enhance safety on Baltimore County Public Schools’ property.
School counselors and staff from the BCPS Department of Student Support Services are available to help students and staff process the emotions and feelings that naturally occur following tragedy. Baltimore County Police will have an increased presence around schools out of an abundance of caution and to help relieve the heightened anxiety we are all feeling. It can be difficult for parents and caregivers to talk about this kind of violence with their children. To assist in these conversations, we have posted some helpful resources on our school safety webpage. Additionally, here are some tips from the American School Counselor Association on helping students after a school shooting:
- Try and keep routines as normal as possible. Kids gain security from the predictability of routine, including attending school.
- Limit exposure to television and the news.
- Be honest with kids and share with them as much information as they are developmentally able to handle.
- Listen to kids’ fears and concerns.
- Reassure kids that the world is a good place to be, but that there are people who do bad things.
Let’s lean on each other for support in the days, weeks, and months ahead. Working together, I know that we will continue to do all that we can to keep our schools safe and welcoming for all.
Sincerely,
Ms. Julie Henn
Chair, Board of Education
Darryl L. Williams, Ed.D.
Superintendent