A Message to Lincoln School Families

 Dear Lincoln School Families, 

Today we share our deepest sympathy and support for the students, staff, and families of Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas. Our hearts are heavy with the weight of such a loss and our thoughts are with those left injured. 

We wish to send our families and community members a reminder that there are ways to seek help if you or your student is experiencing distress. Across our state, schools participate in the OK2Say program. Additionally, there are mental health resources designed to support a variety of  challenges experienced by individuals of all ages as well as information from the Centers for Disease Control for children dealing with school emergencies. 

For families seeking a way to talk with their children about yesterday’s events, you may find the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) website to be a helpful starting point. Non-specific safety conversations may be more appropriate for younger students and may begin with  presentations such as these found on the Johns Hopkins site for K-2 grade and 3-5 grade safety in schools.  There are also many resources available on the SJPS Guidance & SEL site.

Additionally, please keep the following in mind: 

• Check-in to see how your student is feeling and talk about any existing concerns. Children may not bring up their concerns/feelings intuitively and may need to be asked  directly. This will help them feel cared for and safe. 

• Give reassuring facts about their safety. It is important to review safety protocols and  remind them about what they can do and what the adults around them will do to keep  them safe. This will reduce anxiety or worry about their well-being. 

• Consider your student's age. Younger children should be given brief, simple  information or be allowed to share their feelings with drawings or playing instead of just  talking. 

• Limit exposure to media. Media can cause secondary trauma and exaggerate the  students' sense of safety. 

• Model healthy behavior. Students are watching how adults consume media and how  they take care of themselves. They also monitor if adults are honest about their feelings and if they are actively engaged in healthy coping strategies

• Maintain routines. Keeping a regular schedule is important and reestablishes a sense  of safety. 

Please be assured that school safety continues to be a priority. In addition to safety practices, our staff consistently strives to support our students’ emotional well-being. If you feel your student needs additional support, please contact us. 

Respectfully,

Craig Hubble