Superintendent Hiu’s Statement on shooting at Texas elementary school

Sad news and support for staff and students

Dear GBSD Staff and Families,

Many of you may have heard about the horrific school shooting at a Texas elementary school that left fourteen students and one teacher dead and dozens more injured. Our hearts go out to the Uvalde, Texas, community, and the families of those who lost their lives or were injured.

Today’s tragedy highlights the importance of the various safety procedures and protocols we have in place. Schools regularly drill for a variety of scenarios. We take our responsibility seriously. Every staff member in our school district is dedicated to maintaining a safe school environment. We hope we never have to exercise these skills in a real emergency. Today’s event reminds us that in the unlikely event that we do, we will be grateful we practiced them.

We know these events are painful and can lead to anxiety that our entire education community feels. If you or your student is struggling with today’s news, we will have counselors and building administrators standing by at our schools tomorrow.

In addition, below are two resources from the American Psychological Association and Common Sense Media, that parents and caregivers may find helpful in talking about this tragedy at home.

https://www.apa.org/.../gun-violence.../shooting-aftermath

https://www.commonsensemedia.org/.../how-to-talk-to-kids...

In closing, I am sure that you, like me, are trying to make sense of this horrific tragedy. We are searching for the words to help our children feel safe and resilient in a world that feels unpredictable and scary. My advice is to hug your children and tell them you love them. My thoughts are with the students, staff, and families of Robb Elementary School.

Sincerely,

James Hiu

Superintendent of Schools