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Superintendent’s Call – May 25, 2022

The following are the transcripts from the phone messages sent out by the Superintendent on Wednesday, May 25, 2022.

Morning Call

Good morning. This is Superintendent Binienda. I am calling this morning with an important message.

Yesterday we learned about the school shooting in an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas. We are devastated to learn about the tragic loss of lives. Our hearts go out to the students, families, school staff, and the Uvalde community. Like many of you, we worry about the frequency of these events across our country, and understand the anxiety that many of our students, staff and families may be experiencing.

Today at all schools, staff will address students' questions or comments. Their response to students will be to acknowledge what happened, reassure students that they are safe at school, and maintain the normalcy and routine of the school day. Middle and high school students will be addressed during morning announcements by the principal with a statement and a moment of silence. At all levels, staff will monitor students, and those who express concerns or who are having difficulty with processing this news will be referred to a school counselor, psychologist or school administrator.

A valuable resource to discuss violence with your child is listed on the WPS website: National Association of School Psychologists: Talking to Children About Violence: Tips for Parents and Teachers

Thank you for your continued partnership with our school staff. Together we are a strong school community and can provide the support our students need to feel safe and valued.

Evening Call

Good Evening,

This is Superintendent Binienda. I am calling tonight to share that your child experienced a safe day in the WPS today. Each of the Worcester Public Schools have strong safety preparedness procedures in place: school doors are locked; all schools have cameras at the main entrance, visitors must identify themselves and are guided to the main office, school staff are ALICE trained; and we work closely with our School Liaison Officers and the Worcester Police Department.

The social-emotional well-being of all our students is important . We know that schools where all students are known and feel connected to their peers and teachers are the most proactive way to create safe learning environments. Our school administrators, counselors, and school psychologists are available to provide support and guidance to students and caregivers. Please reach out to any member of our school community should your child need additional support as they try to make sense of this tragedy.