Dear D7 staff and families,
Once again, I’m reaching out to you in the aftermath of gun violence in our schools. As news reports from Colorado cut through and rob us of our peace of mind, I reflect upon the words of the great Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.: “We are now faced with the fact tomorrow is today. We are confronted with the fierce urgency of now. In this unfolding conundrum of life and history, there ‘is’ such a thing as being too late. There is no time for apathy or complacency. This is a time for vigorous and positive action.”
While policy makers in Lansing and across the country wrestle with an increasingly violent time in our history, we also have a responsibility locally to address issues that continue to confront our communities. The time is now for systemic change to address:
- Easy access to guns in our homes and neighborhoods;
- Poverty and discrimination that foster hopelessness and facilitate impulsive behavior; and
- The need for jobs, activities, partnerships, and volunteerism that give students a vision of a bright future.
As a school family our charge is clear: Create safe and nurturing learning environments where our staff members are provided the tools to teach, and our students are afforded the opportunities to learn. But this vision takes all of us, united with one voice for the betterment of our students.
There is more that we can all do to protect our school community:
- Continue to create opportunities for mental health support providing students with the services they need.
- Encourage our students to report any threats or concerns to a trusted adult or to OK2SAY.
- Continue to connect with our youth and provide them opportunities for growth and development.
- Talk to your children about gun violence in an age-appropriate manner, telling them how to stay safe, why to reject violence, whom to turn to for help.
- Tell your children how much you care for them.
While I strongly adhere to the belief that our schools are safe spaces, change is long overdue to address the issues that plague our state and our nation. It is with sincere commitment that I pledge to be a partner in these efforts.
Sincerely,
Ty Weeks
Superintendent