Friday, May 27, 2022
Good afternoon Burgess families,
I would like to express my sincere appreciation for everyone’s understanding, flexibility, and cooperation over the past few days as we adjusted plans in response to the events in Uvalde, Texas on Tuesday. We are heartbroken by the reality of another horrific mass shooting at an elementary school. Please know that Burgess has safety procedures and protocols in place that are reviewed regularly in collaboration with law enforcement and other agencies. As you will recall, we conducted a lockdown/evacuation drill on November 15, 2021. At that time, teachers reviewed procedures with students in developmentally appropriate ways. We will convene our crisis team to go over our plans as we learn more about this latest shooting. Thank you to the Sturbridge Police and Fire Departments for being present on campus this week to reassure our students, families, and staff. We thank the entire Burgess staff for their hard work and dedication as they always put the needs of our students first. Burgess psychologists, adjustment counselors, school resource officer, and administrators continue to be available to those in need of support. Our thoughts continue to be with everyone impacted by the tragedy. Below are some links to information that families may find useful:
American Psychological Association: Helping Your Children Manage Distress in the Aftermath of a Shooting
National Association of School Psychologists: Talking to Children About Violence: Tips for Parents and Teachers
Respectfully,
Principal Kathy Pelley
