Important Message from Superintendent Francis
Dear Berkley Schools Community,
We are all shocked and saddened by last night’s events at Michigan State University. Our hearts go out to the entire Spartan community and all of those impacted by yesterday’s tragedy. We know Berkley Schools community members have friends and family, including BHS graduates, in the MSU community. Our hearts are with you, too.
It is important to recognize that after a tragedy like the one in East Lansing a broad range of emotions may be felt and there is no “right” or “wrong” way to process this. Everyone will need different levels of support. Please know that if your children express concerns they are likely looking for reassurance that they are safe. I would encourage you to listen to your children, offer them reassurance and give them a hug, no matter how old they are. Additionally, the National Association of School Psychologists has many tips about talking to children about violence on their website. We also have many resources on our Emotional Support & Wellness webpage. While speaking with your children, please remind them to find a trusted adult when something doesn’t seem right, if they learn of any threats in person or online, or have any concerns about safety in their school. Speaking up can make a difference.
Our District’s counselors, psychologists and social workers will be available as always to help any child who may be having a difficult time. Finally, as adults, we are all shaken and disturbed by this too. It wasn’t long ago we were sending you a message about the tragedy at Oxford High School. We will all need time to process these events, again. If you are having difficulty, please speak with relatives, friends, or contact one of our administrators who will help put you in touch with someone who can help.
When tragedy strikes, especially when it is close to home, it’s natural to wonder what the District is doing to keep our students safe. Please know that every school in our District has emergency procedures in place which are routinely practiced and reviewed. These include fire drills, tornado drills and district-wide emergency drills, including training in ALICE protocols. Our safety protocols also include locked doors and secured entrances, and close relationships with our public safety departments. It also includes developing relationships with all our staff and students.
The Berkley School District is committed to our community and to the safety of our students and staff. Together we will help each other get through this very difficult time, while we offer our support to the MSU community.
Sincerely,
Scott Francis
Superintendent
Berkley School District
