As you know, there was a horrific shooting at Oxford High School yesterday afternoon. The lives of four high school students were tragically taken and six other students and one teacher were shot, with some in critical condition. The lone-shooter attack that transpired yesterday was senseless, and demonstrates once again that something like this could happen anywhere and at any time.

As expected, yesterday’s tragedy is a national, state, and local story that brings focus to the safety and security measures and procedures that our local school districts have put in place. Your families and communities are surely discussing and wondering what safety and security measures exist to protect your students and staff. If you have not already done so, it is important that you quickly share with your communities what training your students and staff have had and/or what physical security you have put in place in your districts.

For your reference, a memo from the Michigan Department of Education in August 2019 informed districts of the requirements in Michigan law for districts to develop emergency operation plans. Schools across Michigan are required to conduct at least three school safety and security drills yearly, and to report certain crimes at schools to State Police within 24 hours. 

Communicating with children in the wake of this tragic event can be challenging, but is important to help children reestablish a sense of safety and normalcy. The National Association of School Psychologists has created a helpful resource to support parents and teachers to talk with children about violence. You can find this information at: Talking to Children About Violence: Tips for Parents and Teachers (nasponline.org).

We should continue to keep the Oxford school community in our thoughts. Its loss is our loss and we need to keep that in mind.