May 25, 2022
Dear Ramapo Indian Hills Community Members,
We are extremely saddened to learn of the horrific tragedy that took place at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas yesterday. During a time of the year when students, school staff, and families should be preparing to celebrate end of the school year achievements, the Uvalde school community is instead grieving and coping with their collective trauma. We want to offer our support to all of those affected.
The Ramapo Indian Hills Regional High School District is the foundation of a strong and vibrant community where dedicated teachers, counselors, staff, and administrators remain committed to the safety and well-being of all students. I want to reassure you that the physical and emotional well-being of your child has always been and will continue to be our number one priority. Gun violence is something we see too often and it affects everyone. As a community, we need to actively work to create safe and healthy environments in which our children can thrive and grow. This work starts in our families and neighborhoods and extends to our schools to create the kind of world we want to make for our children. We rely on the residents of Franklin Lakes, Oakland, and Wyckoff – students, parents, and community members to notify us when they observe behaviors that rise to the level of concern. This includes social media posts and verbal statements that may be considered outside the norm, disturbing, inappropriate, or threatening in nature. Please know that we take all reports seriously and in the strictest confidence, conduct investigations without hesitation, and collaborate effectively with the Franklin Lakes, Oakland, and Wyckoff Police Departments.
Each school year we evaluate our safety and security practices and are routinely making changes or revisions that incrementally make us safer and more secure. Some of those changes are obvious and involve our school security systems, including additions and upgrades to our video surveillance system, upgraded card access readers, our electronic visitor management system (LobbyGuard), and our mass alerting emergency communication system (Share911). Other changes are more subtle and involve measures like locked exterior and classroom doors, security patrols by district personnel, and regular and random visits by local law enforcement.
Safety, security, and situational awareness have become part of our culture with both formal and informal drills and tabletop exercises. During school hours, we regularly conduct a variety of school safety and security drills aimed at identifying areas of vulnerability in our security practices and procedures. We train and empower our faculty and staff to take action when they perceive a threatening situation.
From the standpoint of prevention, one of our greatest resources is access to well-integrated service structures across mental health, law enforcement, and related agencies. We must encourage people to seek help when they see that someone is experiencing intense and persistent conflict or is deeply troubled. If we can recognize and intervene in these kinds of situations, then we will be more able to prevent violence. Our schools have multiple layers of mental health and student wellness resources available which include our school counselors, social workers, members of the Child Study Team, Student Assistance Counselors, and partnerships with mental health care providers. We are fortunate to provide various layers of protection that exist within our learning community that requires the support and cooperation of all of us as we continue to work together.
At home, we must take great caution in how we engage with our children about such tragic events. The American Psychological Association recommends limiting news coverage, having an age-appropriate dialogue about the tragedy that occurred at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, acknowledging their feelings, and reassuring them that the adults in their lives are always working to keep them safe. The National Association of School Psychologists provides a resource, Talking to Children About Violence, and/or Common Sense Media, which provides useful talking points for children of all age groups: How to Talk to Kids About Violence, Crime, and War | Common Sense Media. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to our schools for more help if you need it.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to the entire Uvalde community, especially to the victims and their families. During such challenging times, we must continue to come together to support those in need. Please feel free to contact me should you have any questions or concerns.
All my best,
Dr. Rui Dionisio
Superintendent of Schools
