(The following letter was authored by North Penn Superintendent Dr. Curt Dietrich.)
Dear North Penn Families and Staff,
Too many times during my years as your superintendent I have had to write to you in the aftermath of a horrific school shooting. And regretfully, as we wake up grieving the loss of innocent lives at Robb Elementary School in Texas, here is yet another message to console you and assure you that the North Penn School District has measures, practices, and policies in place to keep our staff and students safe.
But this letter is different for me as I am ending my time here in North Penn. Yes, I want you to know that we are doing all we can to ensure our schools are safe and try to somehow ease your pain and worries, but in addition to this I want to also be clear about something else. I am fed up with school violence and want you to be as well. The continued assault on our schools was not acceptable at Columbine, Sandy Hook or Parkland, or any of the other smaller, though no less horrific, incidents of school shootings.
Let’s be honest as well that this is not just about the effects of the COVID-19 and the impact on our social emotional health. Though the pandemic has made matters worse, mass casualty shootings have plagued our schools for decades. And after each tragedy, as a nation we vow things will change. But here we are again heartbroken, angry, and scared.
It is time to act. We need to determine what can be done individually and collectively to end school violence. We need our legislators to take a hard look at gun laws and the relative ease of acquiring weapons for reasons well beyond personal protection or hunting. And we need to better support people in distress and ensure everyone has access to mental health assistance.
I want to thank our North Penn school community for our continued efforts to maintain safe schools. In fact, we just conducted an audit to indicate where we could improve in terms of security. And each year we invest in infrastructure, personnel and programs that help to keep our schools safe while also prioritizing mental wellbeing. From school climate coordinators to security guards to employee assistance programs, help is always nearby for those in need.
Our guidance counselors are also always available to students. That department recommends resources from the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) to assist families and staff in helping not only students, but adults as well, in managing the emotions caused by this most recent crisis. For more information click here.
The tragedy at Robb Elementary School is a parent's worst nightmare, but it is also that of students and staff. Educators should not have to be first-responders, but thank you for everything you do each and every day for our students. And children should not have to be frightened to go to school. I am writing to you today, not just as a superintendent, but as a father and grandfather too. Our children deserve a better world.
Sincerely,
Curtis R. Dietrich, Superintendent
North Penn School District
See also:
North Penn Recommends – But Doesn’t Require - Masking During Montco High COVID Transmission Rate
North Penn School District Says Goodbye to Class of 2022 Retirees
NPSD To Host Community Conversation Forum May 26
North Penn Adopts Proposed Final $299M Budget with $12M Deficit, Final Budget Vote in June
