Rise In Protests, Questions In South Jersey After Texas School Tragedy

SOUTH JERSEY — The roughly 2,100 students in the Collingswood Public School District are "rightfully shaken" after a gunman killed 21 people in a Texas school on Tuesday, said Frederick McDowell, the district's superintendent.

He said Students at Collingswood High School walked out of the classroom and stood outside silently for 21 minutes on Thursday — one minute for each of the victims of Tuesday's shooting.

On Thursday alone, students in at least 34 states walked out of their schools during the school day to protest gun laws, USA Today reported. A similar event occurred in the city of Camden, according to 6abc.

The questions that Collingwood students have asked this week varies, McDowell said.

"Children are asking, rightfully so, 'Why?'" he said. "Some of the children, depending on age, want to know what happened. Some of the children want to know why it happens. And other children want to know, will it happen here?"

That last question prompts a reassuring "they are safe, they are loved, they are cared for, and that we have a system of resources and support to focus on how to keep everybody safe," McDowell continued. "That, generally, is sufficient."

In Cherry Hill, the school district's secondary schools held a moment of silence on Wednesday, in honor of those killed in Ulvade on Tuesday, according to Cherry Hill Superintendent Joseph Meloche.

He said in a video that he would not be sending a letter to the students' parents that discussed the shooting and the resources that the district provides to those coping with the tragedy.

"I didn't put a letter out [Tuesday] to the community because I've sent letters about these tragedies that have taken place in our schools. And I know that people know that we have resources," he said in the video.

Meloche said the Texas tragedy should serve as a reminder of how important it is for parents to be active participants in their children's lives.

"I'm asking that all of you," he said. "Talk to your children. Know what your children are involved with, know with whom your children spend time, if you have questions or concerns, reach out to other parents, or again, reach out to the school. We want to make sure that we're taking care of one another."

Lori Perlow, president of the New Jersey School Public Relations Association and the public information officer of the Haddon Township School District, offered some suggestions on how to handle a situation that has become all-too-familiar in the educational landscape.

"It's important to acknowledge what occurred, reiterate the safety protocols in schools, and provide resources to those who are struggling," she said.

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