Dear Wayne-Westland Families,
By now, you may have heard about the tragic school shooting that occurred this evening on the campus of Michigan State University. Our hearts and prayers are with the families of the Michigan State University community. No doubt, there will be extensive coverage of this on the news and much discussion about it in our communities in the coming days. This evening, we have had another sad reminder about the importance of working together to stop the senseless tragedies involving students.
Given the continued coverage, I want to share with you again information provided by our staff on talking to your children about tragedies. Once again, if you need assistance, please contact your building administrator. We will have extra support at our buildings tomorrow. For those students who are having significant reactions to this event, we have mental health community partners available to provide support.
If you or a family member would like to find a mental health care or substance use treatment provider, please contact Care Solace, a complimentary coordination service provided by Wayne-Westland Community Schools. Call 888-515-0595. Support is available 24/7/365 in any language. Visit caresolace.com/wwcsd and click "Book Appointment" for assistance by video chat, email, or phone.
If your child needs additional support, please contact your principal, school social worker, school psychologist, or student's counselor. Here are some tips and resources for discussing tragedy with your child.
We want to reassure you that the safety and security of our students and staff are our top priority. We have clear plans and procedures to deal with emergencies that may arise in our schools. Parents, please encourage your child to tell a trusted adult or use OK2SAY (8-555-OK2SAY) if they see or hear something happening in their school.
We remain resolute in focusing on a safe and positive learning environment for our students. We continue to work with area law enforcement to strengthen and reinforce our safety protocols. To ensure we are being proactive, you will continue to see an increased police presence at our schools. Please remember that our schools are essential centers for stability, and we proactively work to address social and emotional concerns for our students.
Wayne-Westland Community Schools is a strong community thanks to the relationships we create and foster through our schools. We again rely on those relationships to always support each other.
Sincerely,
John Dignan, Ed.D.
Superintendent