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On Saturday, our country experienced another mass shooting. This time, it happened in a place of worship and was driven by hate. Eleven people were killed in the shooting at Pittsburgh's Tree of Life Synagogue. We are all hurting for the victims, families, the Pittsburgh community and our nation’s Jewish community. In response to this violence, we again offer support and assistance to our schools and students in whatever way we can. Staff in our School Safety and Technical Assistance Center have compiled information and resources on talking about traumatic events and tragedies that can be used by teachers, school staff and families to help support and reassure students who may have been exposed to frightening images and news stories.
We know that such violence and anti-Semitism and other expressions of hate and divisiveness in our country today impact our students and our school communities. It can contribute to an environment that may expose students to disturbing or hateful messages in their everyday lives and at school. It can also result in increased bullying, harassment and discrimination of students in specific groups, including Jewish students, Muslim students and LGBTQ students. For ways to prevent and address this, school administrators, educators and school staff members can turn to the School Safety Technical Assistance Center resource “Ensuring Students Learn in Schools Free from Bullying, Discrimination and Harassment Based on Race, Religion, National Origin, Gender, Gender Identity or Sexual Orientation.”
As school leaders, we must take extra care to work with our teachers and entire school communities to reassure our children, and to address situations that might make them feel unsafe or unwelcome in our schools. All students—no matter their race, religion, or ethnic origin—deserve to attend school in a safe and caring environment.
Another resource for you is the Minnesota Department of Public Safety’s School Safety Center, which is available to provide guidance and training to schools on the physical safety of the building and emergency response to tragic events like school shootings.
We know that dealing with, and healing from, this type of violence will take time – and we all will do everything in our power to ensure our students, families and employees have the support they need.
Your dedication and commitment to our children and families continues to impress me. In the coming days and weeks, please continue to take care of each other. And please join me in keeping the Tree of Life Synagogue in your thoughts and prayers.
Brenda
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