It is unfathomable that nearly a year to the day after Sandy Hook, we continue to be rocked by school shootings – the latest just a dozen miles away. I want to express my profound sympathy for the victims and the community of Arapahoe High School. How troubling it is that our sanctuaries of education – places for children – have become a focal point for violence in our society.  I know we all yearn to be able to resolve “never again.”

 
I want to reiterate that each and every member of our community has a responsibility and a role to play in keeping our school safe.  Colorado Academy is a place where respect and care for others are part of our fundamental core values.  Our work on character, concern, and being “up-standers,” not bystanders, continues.

 

Also ongoing is our work on student safety and campus security: Our Welcome Center at the main entrance monitors visitors; we have additional security personnel, security cameras to help monitor traffic, and an improved public address system that allows us to broadcast emergency messages to students and teachers across all school buildings; we continue our school-wide drills for emergency situations, and training and exercises for faculty and staff. We will continue to be vigilant with our security officers and Operations Department actively watching activity on campus, as well as through our close coordination and communication with the Lakewood Police Department.  

 

We have caring and empathetic mental health counselors who stand ready to serve students and families in each division. We have faculty and staff who, above all else, care about the well-being of students.  We are and must continue to be attentive, intentional, and mindful about the quality of human interaction on and off campus. This is the responsibility of us all.

 

The etymology of the words "community" and "communication" are based in the word “common” – something shared by all. What we share in human communities are often intent, basic beliefs, resources, preferences, needs, and I would add, responsibility. We are each individually responsible for the group. We must communicate with one another. We must not set aside legitimate and observable behaviors that might be of concern. We must discern between gossip and the protection of the community and act accordingly. We must address issues proactively, professionally, and with discretion.  

 

Students: one of the defining characteristics of the school culture that you help to create is the way you look out for one another. The genuine kindness and compassion you exhibit matter a great deal; so does knowing when to seek out an advisor, teacher, or counselor.  Commit yourselves to both sustaining our unique school culture by showing respect for one another and by reaching out when needed.

 

Parents: Other than this communication to Upper School students, we will leave it to families to process this tragedy with the younger children of our community, though it is likely that students might bring the issue up in a small group discussion or in advisory.  Our counseling staff is standing by to help students that are affected by this recent shooting, as well as other issues.  Attached to this email are resources that can help parents work through these conversations.

 

Though our hearts and thoughts may be with the community of Arapahoe High School and the family of Claire Davis, we will go on with the work of the school as we enter this final week before the December break.  The time away will serve as an opportunity to recharge, reflect, and renew our resolve to not take for granted the people who are important in our lives.