Thank you to all our parents for being great partners with us as we navigate current situations in the news, on social media and with kids in general. Anytime there is a tragic issue, like a school shooting in our country, schools experience an uptick in communication and concerns from students, parents and community members. Additionally, students talk about these situations with one another, share what they know in group chats and sometimes, on social media. Many times, conversations had between students create concern and as a result, we have to dig in and determine the intent, level of concern, if a threat has been made, etc. Moreover, with recent changes in state law, local law enforcement may get involved as well.
In Maryville, we are fortunate to have a supportive community and a connected student culture. However, we are not insulated from these situations and have worked through several situations over the past two weeks. Please know that we will consistently address situations and concerning statements that come to us and have a great partnership with our local law enforcement officers and particularly our SRO, Officer Chad Simpson.
We've had several parents ask: How can we help? Here are some suggestions:
- Encourage your students to tell a trusted adult about any situations that they know about. If they see or hear something, then please, say something.
- Encourage your students to tell an adult at school if they have any concerns. It helps us if we can check out any concerns quickly.
- Of course, talk to your children regularly about the importance of kind communications and hold them accountable to those behaviors, not just in school, but in their daily lives.
- Monitor social media, cell phone usage and communications.
- Remind your children that threatening words are never okay and there are serious consequences to these words even if they are joking with friends or said without any intent of harm.
- Model kind and respectful communications and continue to be great parents who care about and support our school community.
With gratitude,
Dr. Best
