“If you see/hear something, please say something.”

By Carmen Garcia

Carmen Garcia

Dear Morgan Hill Unified School District Community,

Today, our school community joins millions of others across the nation in holding our fellow educators, students, parents and families, and community members of Uvalde, Texas close to our hearts. As closely connected members of the ‘education world’ in our role as parents/guardians, educators or staff, we often find ourselves retreating to a ‘safe place’ internally in an attempt to try to make sense of these senseless acts of gun violence committed in schools—often all while trying to have conversations with our own children or students about these tragedies.

As we navigate these conversations and begin to process yesterday’s events in Texas, we know that some members of our community may find themselves in need of extra care. If you find yourself in need of support, we encourage you to reach out to your principal, who will connect you with resources as well as to an appropriate wellness professional.

Nevertheless, it’s important that we continue to work together for the safety of our own schools and community. So we ask that if you see/hear something, please say something. All of our contributions—no matter how small they may seem—are critical to helping our community stay safe.

Many times these tragic events show us the worst of humanity, but, through action, they also show us the best of our humanity, often anchored in the power of collective community. I look forward to our continued partnership in addressing all facets of our students’ needs—academics, social/emotional, and college/career—as we remain committed to building and providing a full and enriching school experience for each and every student, every single day.

 

Resources

How to Talk to Kids About School Shootings(Common Sense Media) 
 
Talking to Children About Violence: Tips for Parents and Teachers (National Association of School Psychologists) 
 
Helping Your Children Manage Distress in the Aftermath of a School Shooting (American Psychological Association) 
 
Talking to Kids About Racism and Violence(Childmind.org)