Support and Resources In Light of Recent Terrorism in Israel and Gaza
Dear ECS Families,
The brutal and unforgivable acts of violence committed by the terrorist group Hamas in Israel and Gaza have left many in our school, community, and country feeling upset, angry, and afraid. Many ECS families are directly impacted by the violence and loss, and we are conscious of the enduring pain and loss that surrounds these events, especially as we near the five-year anniversary of the Pittsburgh Synagogue Shooting, the largest antisemitic attack in US history. These unspeakable acts have no place in our world and must be condemned.
We also recognize that Palestinian civilians are not Hamas. We support our Muslim students and families and recognize they may experience their own forms of discrimination and trauma. We mourn the loss of all innocent lives taken.
Regardless of their distance, unsettling world events impact how we feel at school, and as an organization committed to growing global citizens, ECS understands the need for spaces and places to share feelings, have conversations, embrace differences, and solve problems peacefully. Emphasizing humanity in a time of war involves focusing on human stories, empathy, and the importance of understanding perspectives.
At ECS, we value authentic relationship building and ensuring students can talk to a trusted adult. ECS recognizes that students may have questions or exhibit signs of stress and anxiety given this situation. Please know that ECS’s administrators, faculty, and student services teams are available to help guide you and your student through difficult conversations.
Most importantly, we stand together as one school district, one community, and as a support system for anyone who experiences grief or trauma. As a community, we lead by example and demonstrate appropriate behaviors, treat each other with dignity, respect, and civility, and actively denounce acts of hate and discrimination.
Thank you for your commitment to this important work as we call for peace in our world and process these challenging events.
Sincerely,
Dr. Adam Tobias, ECS Board of Trustees President
Jon McCann, CEO
Amanda Cribbs, EdD, Superintendent
Maryssa Stavros, Director of Psychological Services
Student Services Contact Information
Primary School Team
Andrea Szolna, School Counselor
Molly Karsh, School Social Worker
Casey Fenton, School Psychologist
Intermediate School Team
Alexa Galdes, School Counselor
Rachel Wachter, School Social Worker
Stephanie Cole, School Psychologist
Middle School Team
Keri Hamberg, School Counselor
Taeisha Jones, School Social Worker
Alexis Pasi, Middle and High School Psychologist
High School Team
Jennifer Bruni, School Counselor
Keith Bull, School Counselor
Sofia Massaro, School Social Worker
Alexis Pasi, Middle and High School Psychologist
Additional Resources