'A Tragic Loss': Shorewood Superintendent Reacts To Texas Shooting

SHOREWOOD, WI — Shorewood Interim Superintendent JoAnn Sternke addressed local school families with a message on school safety on Wednesday after a gunman shot and killed 19 children and two educators in Uvalde, Texas on Tuesday.

The Texas Department of Public Safety confirmed the news to multiple outlets. The Robb Elementary School shooting marked the deadliest school shooting in America since a gunman opened fire at Sandy Hook Elementary in 2012, The New York Times reported. The gunman was killed after the massacre.

"We received word of another school shooting, this one with a tragic loss of many lives," Sternke said in the letter to Shorewood families.

Sternke said the district has asked Shorewood police to provide a "supportive presence" around schools in the wake of the shooting, in line with policy.

Legislators and officials from across the Badger State also reacted to the news of the Uvalde shooting.

U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin, a Democrat, said her "heart breaks, again. A mass shooting at a school, again."

"How many more times will we say again...and accept doing nothing? We have got to step up, take on this public health crisis, and start saving lives," Baldwin said in a statement posted to Twitter.

Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers, a Democrat, addressed the state in a video address Wednesday afternoon.

"We cannot accept that gun violence just happens. We cannot accept that kids might go to school and never come home. Our families are living in fear. Our kids are learning in fear," said Evers.

Read the full letter from Shorewood Interim Superintendent Sternke below:

Dear Shorewood Families,

Late yesterday we received word of another school shooting, this one with a tragic loss of many lives. As members of a school community, it is difficult to put feelings into words as we contemplate the senseless deaths of 19 students and 2 staff members in an elementary school. Our thoughts are with the entire community in the Uvalde Consolidated Independent School District.

I am bolstered by the support I see for our Shorewood students and school community. A few hours after this tragic news broke, our school counselors began circulating information to colleagues on how to support our students as they process this difficult-to-understand situation. A link to a particularly helpful article from the National Association of School Psychologists can be found here.

As is our District protocol at these times, we have asked the Shorewood Police Department to provide a supportive presence around our schools. Our shared goal is to comfort students and staff, not alarm. We have also asked our school leaders to be even more visible and available, and that all District staff lend their support to students and staff in classrooms.

We know that everyone will process this news in different ways. Counselors are available at each of our school buildings to assist students who may need some extra support. If you need additional assistance in talking with your child about this situation, please contact your school. Our schools are safer and stronger when we work together.

SEE ALSO: Wisconsin Officials React After 19 Children Killed In Texas School