Dear Union School District Community,
We are deeply saddened to learn of the shooting that occurred today at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas. As educators and parents, it is difficult to comprehend such tragic events and our hearts go out to the children, families and educators who have been devastated by this loss of innocent lives.
Our primary focus is always to keep our children safe. Each of our USD schools has a Comprehensive Safety Plan and emergency procedures that are aligned with Incident Command Systems used by emergency responders. These are annually reviewed by administrators and School Site Councils and adopted by the Board of Trustees. Emergency drills take place on a monthly basis so our students and staff know what to do in the event of fire, earthquake, intruder on campus, or other emergency at school or nearby. We are fortunate to work closely with our local law enforcement professionals to review procedures and support us in the event of a serious situation. This past year, USD also added another security measure at all schools requiring all visitors on campus to verify their identity via a digital system.
Trained staff at schools are available to support students, staff and families as students will react in different ways as they process information about this event they may view or hear about. If you find your child needs additional emotional support, please reach out to your child’s teacher or principal.
Listed below are some helpful resources that may assist you and your family in talking to your child:
- National Association of School Psychologists: Talking to Children About Violence: Tips for Parents and Teachers
- Common Sense Media: How to Talk to Kids About Violence, Crime and War
We will continue to work together to ensure our students always find school to be a safe place filled with learning, laughter, and positive relationships with each other.
Kind Regards,
Dr. Carrie Andrews, Superintendent