MESSAGE FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT, MR. BILL CLARK

As I try to piece together this newsletter at 10:30 p.m. on May 24th my mind cannot focus as my thoughts continue to drift to the horrific events that transpired today in Uvalde, Texas at the Robb Elementary School. As a person who has spent 25+ years working with children, as well as a parent, the loss of a student/child is one that no one wants to experience. The pain that I have felt from the loss of several students during my time in education is something that forever will stick with me. The pain that is being felt by those associated with Robb Elementary School is unfathomable.

The events of today cause more issues than just the pain associated with the loss of life. These events, rather it be in Uvalde, Texas, or Sandy Hook, Connecticut, or Parkland, Florida, or any of the school shootings dating back to the 1800’s are bigger than the loss of life. For the survivors at the event, for the parents, for law enforcement, for the first responders, for the hospital workers, and anyone associated with the event, it causes trauma. This trauma, in one way or another, will impact each and every person at different degrees. Over the past several years the amount of time that schools dedicate to helping students deal with trauma and also training staff on how to support students with trauma has increased dramatically.

This increase in time provided to coping with trauma is not something that we are doing “just because” but rather because it is needed due to events that students have or currently are experiencing. These events include such things as the loss of a parent, loss of a sibling, being exposed to violence in the home, be abused (physically, emotionally, sexually), being in an unsafe home environment, etc.. Let’s take off the gloves—‐We as parents and caregivers need to step‐it‐up. Yes, society has changed! Yes, our students/children are exposed to things we never thought were imaginable, however, it is still us as adults who have the opportunity to have the biggest impact on their lives. All too often we get wrapped up in the world around us and worry about things that we can not control, while at the same time forgetting to focus on those things directly in front of us......such as our children.

As adults, as parents, and their guiding forces we need to spend our time making sure our children have the opportunity and resources they need to be “kids”. We need to stay active in their lives rather than keeping them involved in activities at school or in the community. We need to take time and be an active part of their lives at school, as well as an active part of their lives in our own homes. By staying active with them, we are able to see and assist them with issues that they might be having and to provide them guidance on how to cope with issues in a healthy way. It must start with us as parents each day, in our own homes, and with our own children. If we want to help the bigger picture of our school, communities and society then we must begin with us in our own lives.

Haim Ginott who authored the book Between Parent and Child once wrote about the impact that teachers have each day on children in their classroom. By substituting the word parents for teachers we end up with this thought:

“I’ve come to a frightening conclusion that I am the decisive element in my HOME. It’s my personal approach that

creates the climate. It’s my daily mood that makes the weather. As a PARENT, I possess a tremendous power to

make my child’s life miserable or joyous. I can be a tool of torture or an instrument of inspiration. I can humiliate or

heal. In all situations, it is my response that decides whether a crisis will be escalated or de‐escalated and my child

humanized or dehumanized.”

Together as parents, as grandparents, as teachers, and as leaders for the youth of today we can make a difference. We can not guarantee that the tragic events of today in Texas will not occur again, as evil exists in the real world.....but what we can do is take care of what is ours........and that is OUR children.

Let’s focus on being part of the solution by guiding and supporting our children in their lives that they lead as “children”, and not as part of the problem by allowing them to get wrapped up in the trash that is on social media and by not staying connected with them as they learn to navigate the world in which they live.

Have a great Summer and remember to “Love Them Up” each and every day as we truly never know if tomorrow will be the last!

Bill Clark, Superintendent