DSST: Aurora Science & Tech Middle School

Support & Resources for Families: School Violence

05/24/22, 7:58 PM

*Content note: This email could bring up feelings of emotional trauma.

Dear DSST families,

As you’ve likely heard, there was a tragic school shooting in Uvalde, Texas, earlier today. I am deeply saddened by this tragedy and the loss of innocent student and teacher lives. It is unacceptable that these kinds of violent acts continue to happen in our nation’s schools.  I know that school violence can be extremely upsetting for students and their families. We want to be sure that we are supporting you and your family in the coming days as we deeply value the safety and wellness of our community. 

As questions arise from your children, I hope you find the resources linked below helpful. If it’s appropriate for your family, consider encouraging your children to express what they are feeling and to ask questions. This may be an opportunity to discuss your family’s emergency disaster plan, or create one. Having a plan can give both children and adults a sense of comfort and control. While you spend time to reassure and answer questions, returning to normal activities and schedules can be helpful too.

• On-Campus Support for Students

  • Tomorrow, staff will be available to support students who need space processing and/or coping. All staff have been given resources to support students. 

  • Our school mental health providers will be available for students who would like to further process and/or who are struggling to cope with the news. If you are worried about your student, please reach out to their advisor and their advisor will refer them to the mental health team. 

• Trauma Support & Difficult Conversations

  • The Role for Caring Adults after a School or Community Tragedy

  • School Shooting Resources

  • How to talk to kids about school shootings

  • Gun Violence and Mass Shootings: Table Talk

As a reminder, DSST and DPS/APS continue to maintain serious security measures to ensure that safety of staff and students in our buildings is an absolute priority. DSST ensures the following measures are in place at all buildings:

• All exterior doors are locked during the day with access control systems.

• Visitors must use a video doorbell to request access to buildings; visitors are background checked through the RAPTOR system, and must wear a visitor badge while on school grounds.

• Schools train on active threat and emergency responses annually, and practice emergency drills for these situations multiple times a year.

• All classrooms are equipped with locksets that can be quickly locked from the inside of the room in an emergency situation, without a key.

This certainly is not the message I expected or hoped to send less than two weeks before the last day of school. Our teachers, students and community have shown incredible resilience over the last two years, and I know we will be able to come together as a community to finish the year strong and to send our support to those affected by this tragic event. Please know we are here to support you and your student in any way we can. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to your school staff for support for you or your student. As always, I am grateful to be part of this community and grateful for each of you.

 

All my best,

Bill Kurtz

CEO, DSST Public Schools