- Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools
- Front Page
A Message from WS/FCS Superintendent Tricia McManus about the Texas School Tragedy
May 25, 2015 - Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools Superintendent Tricia McManus just released the following message to all families in the district regarding the school shooting in Uvalde, Texas. The message also includes links to resources for parents and the community on talking to students about violence in schools and our community.
Superintendent’s Message
Hello WS/FCS students, parents, and families,
The horrific and unthinkable news out of Texas is on everyone’s hearts and minds today. What happened in the Uvalde community and inside an elementary school is something no one should ever have to experience. For years now, school shootings have been something we must think about and must continually plan for, but something we never want to experience. Sadly, as we know, no community is immune to a violent act inside a school.
Our students and staff deserve a safe and secure place to learn and work. WS/FCS has invested heavily in securing our campuses with cameras, controlled entrances, SROs, visitor protocols, a larger school security team, and much more. We continue to look for additional ways to strengthen security. Today, and in the coming days, all of our law enforcement partners have committed to an extra presence in and around our schools. Their increased visibility is meant to ease anxiety that our parents, students, and staff may be feeling.
While we will continue to invest in safety throughout our campuses, we also know we must continue to focus on addressing the social, emotional, and mental well-being of our students and staff. The signs of anxiety and depression related to knowledge of these events can show up in our children for several days to come. I encourage parents to check on their children, look for differences in behavior and never hesitate to reach out to our student services professionals. We have compiled a list of accessible and easy to understand resources to help you. Please look on our homepage under “Headlines” and click on the Parents and Family Resources – Talking to Children About Violence in Schools and Community headline. Remember, we also encourage you to utilize our school counselors as they are here to help.
In these times of angst, uncertainty, and sorrow, I ask that we come together as a community. Our hearts are with the victims and families in Uvalde, Texas. Our focus here at home is making sure our students and our staff are safe and cared for. Safety is our first priority.
Please remember it is crucial to let law enforcement and school leaders know anytime you see something concerning. We also have a Parent Information Hotline , the Say Something anonymous reporting app, and the anonymous Bully Patrol tip line/app on our homepage that can be used to report any incidents or information at any time.
We are here for our students. We are here to help them learn and we want to do everything possible to see them all be successful.
Sincerely,
Tricia McManus, WS/FCS Superintendent