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Good evening Owl Families,
Today, the administrative team (Ms. Shahinian, Ms. Miller, and myself) collaborated with a group of 8th graders who planned a walkout in protest of school violence and safety concerns that they had. We were thankfully given a heads up by several parents, and actually had this on a radar as a possibility, seeing as walkouts have been planned nationwide, to occur at noon today.
In situations like this, it can be typical for administrators to be frustrated or angry. Our approach as a school, however, is to learn more about the concerns and really listen; to become helpful (when we feel helpless); and to focus on conversation and communication, rather than dismiss opinions and fears. We are not afraid to lean into the hard stuff and talk to our students as people. THIS generation is key in moving forward in our community and society. They have so much power to see what is happening, be a part of the solution, and add their ideas to this system-wide issue. It’s not just an Aspen Ridge or an Erie concern.
Mrs. Miller visited with our 8th graders first thing this morning to discuss their thinking and understand the plan. She encouraged them to think about the “why” for the action and to think about what it is that they want or fear. She assured them that we are all on the same team, that we think their fears and concerns are valid, and that we are determined to make Aspen Ridge as safe as possible for all. We gave them a safe place to walk out to, and then we spent about 40 minutes talking, sharing concerns, sharing ideas, and walking through our safety implementations and why we do the things we do. This is much bigger than posting an armed security guard at the front of the building. School safety is a nationwide, systematic issue that, unfortunately, we are going to have to collectively address.
If your child was involved with or aware of today's walkout, please visit with them and encourage them to share what they learned, what they know, and what their concerns are. We believe that ALL behaviors (good and bad) have roots and meaning. We are committed, as a school, to not just teach academics, but to teach our children that they have a responsibility to become citizens of our society and that their words, their actions, and their ideas are all things that we rely on to become better.
Today was a good day. A situation that could have been seen as silly or irritating turned into a great collaboration of how we are all charged with looking around us, giving empathy, and understanding the big picture.
To keep on your radar as a parent and community member, here are some points for you to have in mind, as well…
- All exterior and interior doors remain locked throughout the school day.
- Our staff (and students) are involved in training and drills monthly to help secure the muscle memory of what we should do in an emergency.
- IF a threat were to get into the building, we reminded these students today to get out (if able), to stay calm, and to listen for communication.
- We just had a meeting today to get quotes on 3M protective film and installation prices for ALL lower windows and glass doors. This is not foolproof, but it is yet another barrier that will buy time should we ever find ourselves in this situation. Here is a video that was shared with me by a helpful parent for you to check out yourself.
- We have already begun our collaboration with CU on the Safe Schools/Safe Communities initiative. (More information will come as we go through the process.)
- An armed guard or campus security personnel is not off the table; it is being discussed and looked into as another potential safety barrier.
When we look at the examples of school shootings and safety breaches, we have to look beyond just putting a band-aid on the problem; we HAVE to talk about the root of the issue. Mental health, personal grudges, and skewed perceptions have all played a role in these travesties. As the adults, we have to have the hard conversations with our children—as much as we want to protect and keep them insulated. The time is now for us to make a difference and be part of the solution. If not you (and us), then who?? As fate would have it, here is a daily positive that showed up in my inbox today….
There's nothing more powerful than a humble person with a warrior spirit who is driven by a bigger purpose. Remember your WHY this week. Let it fuel you to keep going no matter what.
I hope you will continue on this journey with us, leaning into the uncomfortableness for a bigger purpose.
Charla Salmeron
Head of School
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