Submitted by Monica Brown, Tulalip Tribes Communications Department
December 17, 2012
Dear Marysville School District families,
Words cannot express how saddened we all are over the series of events that unfolded at Sandy Hook Elementary in Newtown, Connecticut. Our hearts go out to all those directly affected by this tragic and senseless shooting. As educators and parents we are especially saddened that most of the victims were vulnerable, innocent children. As our students hear of these events that may understandably feel anxious and frightened. The same feelings will most likely be experienced by parents and school staff as well. We are all affected and feeling less safe as a result.
Although we hope that it will never be necessary, we want you to know that our school district has a comprehensive student safety plan and we practice drills for lockdown, fire and other issues on a regular basis in our schools. We work with the Marysville and Tulalip Police and Fire Departments and the Snohomish County Sherriff’s Department as a part of our continuing effort to keep our children safe.
The following suggestions may be helpful to parents in assisting their children during this time:
- Turn off or monitor the television. Endless news programs are likely to heighten anxiety, and young children cannot distinguish between images on television and their personal reality.
- Maintain a normal routine.
- Speak simply and honestly. Tell the truth using words the child can understand.
- Remain calm and reassuring. Children take their cues from their parents and other caring adults around them.
- Be a good listener and observer. Pay attention to changes in behavior.
Coming together and supporting each other is important at a time like this to help us get through our feelings of disbelief, fear and grief – and to help out children feel safe again. Every school has a counselor available to help your child should they need support.
Additional resources for parents and families are available on the following web sites:
- National Education Association: http://www.nea.org/
- Department of Education: http://www.ed.gov/
- American Psychological Association: http://www.apa.org/
We will continue to work together with parents, as a staff, and a community to keep our schools a safe place to learn, grow and work.
Sincerely,
Larry Nyland, Superintendent
Marysville School District No.25 4220 80th Street NE – Marysville, WA 98270 p. 360-653-0800 f. 360-629-1990