Recent violence in schools

2 October 2006

Dear MMSD Families,

By now, I'm sure you know that last Friday a 15 year old boy entered Weston School in Cazenovia (Sauk County) and allegedly shot and killed the principal. This incident has stirred in all of us the uneasy realization that this can happen anywhere, at anytime. We mourn the loss of the principal and empathize with the staff, students, families and community members of that school district. We also feel tremendous responsibility for our own students and staff. Last week, our entire staff spent a day talking about the crucial nature that relationships play in our schools. While the primary focus was on issues of race and equity, we also know that we were talking about any student who doesn't feel connected to the school and valued by an adult. Last Friday after we heard about what happened at Weston High School, we sent to our staff the following reminders:

The best way we have for preventing violent behaviors at school is building and maintaining a climate of trusting relationships and communication between and among students and adults.
Pay close attention to the prevention of bullying, shunning or harassment and intervene in those situations. These incidents are often contributing factors to students' disengagement from school. Students need to know that adults will take actions to address their concerns.

These are important reminders for our staff, but I share them with you also, so that together we can support all of our children to feel safe and secure in all of their environments. If you hear or see evidence of threats, take it seriously and report it immediately to the police or a school official.

The other reminders that we sent to our staff include those safety and security measures that we implement and practice each year. They include:

Ensuring that building security and door locking procedures are being followed.
Ensuring that all non-employees (visitors) in a building are identified and registered in the office.
Ensuring that communication systems, radios and PA's are functioning.
Having employees visibly display their MMSD identification badges.
Being aware of the school's security plan and of their role in security procedures.
Communicating with and listening to their students.
Reminding students that they should always communicate with staff and share information regarding any threat to the school or to other persons.
Ensuring that the school's crisis team is in place.
Communicating with each other.

You have read in the press that the student involved in the incident was receiving special education. There is no indication that there is a relationship between children receiving special education and acts which result in school fatalities. We must be vigilant about knowing all of our children, trying to understand their problems and stepping in as needed.

Below are websites that may be helpful in communicating with your children about these issues. If you are unable to access them, please let the school office know and we will provide the printed materials to you.

Helping children after a Disaster: Facts for Families from the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry

Talk to Children About Violence and Other Sensitive and Complex Issues in the World from Educators for Social Responsibility (ESR)

Tips for Talking to Children after a Disaster: a Guide for Parents and Teachers

The Madison Police are increasing their presence around all of our schools this week. Finally, growing up has never been easy. When there is a serious event, we need to take some extra time to listen to our children and respond to what is on their minds and give to them our best understanding and our guidance.

Sincerely,

Art Rainwater
Superintendent