“We Are Heartbroken”: Elmbrook Schools React To Texas School Shooting

BROOKFIELD, WI – Brookfield school officials reacted after a mass shooting left 19 children and two teachers dead in Uvalde, Texas on Tuesday. The event was a reminder children’s safety can’t be taken for granted, Elmbrook School District Superintendent Mark Hansen said in a letter to parents.

A gunman walked into Robb Elementary School and shot and killed 19 children and two educators on Tuesday. This was the deadliest school shooting in American history since a gunman opened fire at Sandy Hook Elementary in 2012, The New York Times reported.

School officials were heartbroken for students, staff and families of the Texas elementary school, Hansen said. “Yesterday’s school shooting is another chilling reminder that the safety of our children and students must always be prioritized and cannot be taken for granted."

Here’s the superintendent's full letter.

“Dear Elmbrook Families and Staff,

We are heartbroken for the students, staff, and families of Robb Elementary in Uvalde, Texas. Yesterday’s school shooting is another chilling reminder that the safety of our children and students must always be prioritized and cannot be taken for granted.

Schools should and must be a place where students and staff feel safe and secure, and families have confidence their children will go to school and come home safely each day. However, a senseless act of school violence often prompts questions and causes us to worry about the safety of everyone in our own community. The National Association of School Psychologists offers a quality resource titled, “Talking to Children about Violence: Tips for Parents and Teachers.” The resource highlights five key actions as a way to reestablish security for children.

Reaffirm Safety

Our schools are very safe. We have locked entrances at all schools and monitor entrances and exits during student arrival and dismissal times, as well as playground recess activity. We use Raptor to screen all visitors and have School Resource Officers at both of our high schools. We transparently share many of our safety practices with families and staff.

Make Time to Talk

While our staff members’ approach to students varies depending on the age of students (e.g. elementary teachers may respond to student questions while a high school teacher may engage in a class discussion), it is critically important that families listen to their children and make time to talk.

Review Safety Procedures

We work closely with local law enforcement agencies and follow best practice recommendations from the State of Wisconsin's Office of School Safety to develop plans that prepare our staff and students for all types of emergencies. We regularly review safety procedures and conduct safety drills with our staff and students. During an emergency, we use communication tools like SchoolMessenger to mass deliver messages via text, phone and email.

Monitor Emotional State

We have experienced several examples this year of students and staff members proactively engaging adults, school administrators or law enforcement out of concern for a friend or colleague’s emotional state. “If you see something, say something,” has been a powerful call to action and reporting can be done directly or through the anonymous “Speak Up, Speak Out” app that is monitored 24x7.

Maintain a Normal Routine

When possible, maintaining a normal routine can be a positive reminder of our school safety procedures and can help reestablish a sense of security for our students and staff members.
Finally, I know that we live and work in a great community that has always demonstrated its commitment to doing whatever it takes to support our students and our staff. Together, we will keep our schools safe so that our students can continue to learn, grow and develop.

Sincerely,

Mark Hansen, Superintendent”

Elmbrook schools included a list of resources for families and safety plans. For educational resources, click here to go to the district safety webpage.

The district also offers counseling resources to students and families and has counselors equipped to help those in need during crises, district spokesperson Eric Hagen told Patch.

“We cannot accept that gun violence just happens. We cannot accept that kids might go to school and never come home,” Gov. Tony Evers said in a statement on Tuesday. The governor called on other elected officials to act on gun control.

"Kids need to be safe in their schools. Educators need to be safe in their schools. Parents and families trust schools to keep their children safe. And right now, they are not safe," State Superintendent Jill Underly said in a statement on Wednesday.

RELATED:

• 'Deeply Saddened': Greendale Schools React To Texas School Shooting
• Texas School Shooting: 19 Children Killed In Uvalde