Superintendent's Message to Community Over Connecticut Tragedy

Here's a message from Livermore Valley Joint Unified School District Superintendent Kelly Bowers:

This morning there was an unbelievably tragic mass shooting at an Elementary School in Connecticut, that has resulted in injuries and the loss of life of many, including elementary age children. Not a lot of details are known at this point. As this information unfolds and spreads via the media, it can understandably generate fear, anxiety and uncertainty about safety at school, and in society, in general. 

The safety of students and staff is a priority of our Board of Trustees and District. Please be assured, we have a very solid working relationship with the Livermore Police Department, up-to-date emergency and lockdown procedures in place, and we practice a range of safety drills and scenarios on a regular basis. These emergency plans and crisis responses are in place to ensure our schools are safe places to learn and work.

In light of this serious and devastating incident, we have asked all of our administrative leadership team members to take the time to carefully review with staff their site emergency procedures, particularly as it relates to lockdown protocols.  

We have a crisis support team available if anyone is particularly emotional or distraught by this tragedy.  Our Student Services Department and Human Resources Department are mobilizing support services if/as needed. I also wanted to share a useful resource that provides guidance on how to help our students and their families cope with the tragedy of the Connecticut massacre:

CDE provides some guidance online at http://www.cde.ca.gov/ls/ss/cp/tragedy.asp

This is a painful reminder of just how precious and fragile life is, so be sure to reach out to loved ones during this holiday season.