Dear Sto-Rox Parents and/or Guardians,
We were saddened to learn about the shooting of one of our students this afternoon. Our thoughts and prayers are with the student's family.
Support staff will be available next week for both our students and staff. The support staff available includes Sto-Rox school counselors, social workers, and therapists from our partner agencies. Any student or staff who wants to speak to someone may report to the School Counseling Office throughout the week. The following may be some helpful talking points as you talk with your child:
● Allow your child to talk openly about their feelings. If this is the first traumatic event your child has experienced, your child may not know how to respond and will be looking to you for guidance.
● Affirm all expressions. It’s okay to express feelings honestly. Accept all expressions of feelings rather than dismissing or discouraging them.
● Reaffirm to your child that they are safe and loved.
● Affirm that your child’s reaction is normal and that you understand the way your child feels.
● Keep your child’s routine as normal as possible.
● Understand that there is no single response and that sometimes reactions to sadness can be delayed.
If your child needs to speak with someone at any time, please let us know, and we will make sure that they have the support they need. Allegheny County24/7 Crisis Support is also available for you or a loved one who is experiencing a mental health crisis or is in emotional distress, call resolve at 1-888-796-8226.
At this difficult time, we ask that you please respect the family of this student.
Please feel free to contact us at (412)771-3213 ext. 5262.
Sincerely,
Megan Marie Van Fossan, M.A., M.Ed.
Superintendent
Sto-Rox School District