Dear Members of the Milford Public Schools Community,
As you may have heard in the news, there was another devastating school tragedy yesterday at Robb Elementary School in Texas where a school shooting took the lives of at least 19 children and 2 adults. News like this is always difficult to understand and it affects all of us, regardless of our location. While we may never understand why these incidents happen, we must remember that there are many people around us who are ready to help us sort through our emotions and our thoughts. We are here for you.
As a school community, we have always placed the highest priority on safety in our schools and in the days ahead, you will continue to see our community come together to maintain the safest environment possible and to reinforce your trust in us. Today you will see a heightened presence of officers from the Milford Police Department in the area of each of our schools this morning, along with extra checks throughout the day. This has been arranged only as a precautionary measure and is intended to provide an extra layer of support for all students and staff. We are grateful for this partnership.
Our approach to safety and security in our schools is designed to be layered and comprehensive where we coordinate protocols, training, equipment, partnerships, and preventive measures continuously. Our emergency preparedness efforts are continuously exercised throughout the school year with an emphasis on prevention.
Our students of all ages will likely have questions about this event and they may seek reassurance from you. We understand that it can be difficult to know how to respond to questions. Please use this guide from the National Association of School Psychologists to help you as you support your children. Our school teams of school psychologists, social workers and school counselors are available to consult with you for specific concerns you may be having and they will continue to support our students and staff members with our comprehensive social and emotional learning programs in our schools.
Here in the Milford Public Schools, we have embedded a wide variety of anti-violence, empathy, and peer support programs. Our students are well aware of mean-spirited or divisive behaviors – whether those be viewed or heard in-person or on social media. We encourage all individuals, students and adults, to speak to a trusted member of their school support team if such behavior is viewed. In cases of perceived threats of violence, please reach out to your school principal or the Milford Police Department.
In closing, and looking at this as a parent myself, my heart goes out to the people of Uvalde, Texas and beyond. We are here to provide any support or assistance you need.
Sincerely,
Anna Cutaia, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools