Dear FCUSD Community,

Yesterday, another heartbreaking and tragic act of violence took place in our country, this time at an elementary school in Texas.  Recently, racially motivated mass shootings took the lives of innocent people in Buffalo, New York, and Laguna Beach, California.  

We are horrified and grieving for the communities devastated by this loss of innocent children and adults who were going about their daily lives in school, church, and a grocery store. As educators and as parents, it is difficult to comprehend such catastrophic events and we are filled with grief and anger.

Our primary focus is always to keep our children safe both physically and emotionally. While schools continue to be one of the safest places for children, we want to assure our families that safety protocols are a constant focus at all FCUSD schools. 

Mental Health Specialists, School Psychologists, and School Counselors are on hand for students who need extra support to help navigate and process this difficult news. Our Mental Health team is available throughout the school year and during summer school programs.

Parents, your children may have questions about recent events. Please encourage them to talk with you. Below are resources that you and your family may find helpful on how to reinforce safety for your children and how to communicate about these tragedies in an age-appropriate context: 

•  Parent Guidelines for Helping Youth After the Recent Shooting (The National Child Traumatic Stress Network – English/Spanish)  
• Talking to Children About Violence: Tips for Parents and Teachers (National Association of School Psychologists)  
• Helping your children manage distress in the aftermath of a shooting (American Psychological Association)
• How to Talk to Kids About School Shootings (Common Sense Media)
• Helping Children Cope with Frightening News (Child Mind Institute) 
• Coping in the Aftermath of a Shooting (American Counseling Association)  
• Trauma and Disaster Mental Health (American Counseling Association) 
• Teaching in the Wake of Violence (Facing History and Ourselves) 
• How to Talk to Kids About Violence, Crime and War - (Common Sense Media)

We want to make sure everyone in our FCUSD community knows they can access Care Solace, which is a service that can connect anyone in need of mental wellness to a licensed practitioner. There is no cost to you and your information is confidential. To learn more, please visit our website at: www.fcusd.org/CareSolace

If you are concerned about your child or teen's mental health right now, you can contact Care Solace, your healthcare provider, or Sacramento County Mental Health hotline at (888) 881-4881 or (916) 875-1055. Further information from Sacramento County Youth Mental Health can be viewed here: sacymh.org/

In partnership,

Sarah Koligian, Ed.D
Superintendent
Folsom Cordova Unified School District