Resources and Support Regarding Sunday’s Tragedy
Dear ECS Families,
As students return from Spring Break, we are deeply saddened by the tragedy that occurred on Sunday in Pittsburgh’s Northside neighborhood. This week may be difficult for many of our community members who have been impacted in various ways. While our district spans many zip codes, Pittsburgh is a small city. When one of our communities hurts, we all gather to support and rally behind each other.
As an educator, I know the worry and concern that such a tragedy sends throughout our community. We take the safety and security of our students and staff very seriously and work every day to ensure that our children feel safe in their environments. As a parent myself, I know that it can be challenging to talk to children about tragic events, especially when they occur so close to home. To assist in your at home conversations, please review Talking to Children About Violence: Tips for Parents and Teachers.
Additionally, please note that we are holding staff meetings today and tomorrow to check in and review tactics and next steps for working with students during this time. As we learn more about the impact this event has on our school community, we are determined to work closely with parents and families that need additional support and resources.
Finally, ECS has a dedicated student services team, and a counselor at every building is available to help students cope with the emotions and feelings that naturally occur following such a tragedy. Please feel free to contact your student’s counselor directly with any questions or concerns you may have. We are here to support our community through this unimaginable time in our city, and to support you and your family.
Our hearts go out to the entire Pittsburgh community, to the Northside neighborhood, and to the families and loved ones of the victims. ECS is committed to being a place for both community healing and is dedicated to supporting our school family.
Sincerely,
Mandy Cribbs, EdD
Superintendent
