Dear Students and Families,
Thank you to the more than 200 students, families, and staff who joined us for the Ingraham community meeting. I am grateful for the engagement and support of the Seattle Public Schools community in the face of the tragic death of one of our students on November 8.
Several families requested an anonymous way to report safety concerns. You or your student can use the SPS Safe Schools Hotline 206-252-0510 to report any threats to SPS schools. This phone number is managed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
You also asked for a reminder on any supportive resources to help sustain you during the holiday break. The SPS Coordinated School Health team collected some suggestions to help families support their students after gun violence:
How to Help if You Are Concerned About Your Student
- Listen and validate concerns: Respond honestly to any thoughts or fears expressed in an age-appropriate manner. Identify social supports (e.g., family members, friends) with whom they can discuss their feelings. Don’t push your child to discuss how they feel. Different people will have different reactions.
- Model and practice brave behavior: Parents/guardians can model brave behaviors by continuing to participate in community activities. Encourage your child to engage in these activities as well.
- Have a conversation about media: Repeated exposure to the media content can exacerbate concerns. Parents/guardians should do their best to have conversations about what they are seeing in the media and help students make informed decisions about the media they are engaging with.
- Access mental health supports (if needed): If fears are causing significant impairment (e.g., impacting social, occupational, or educational functioning), support from a mental health profession may be warranted.
The following resources offer a collection of local agencies that can help support our community.
- Teen Link offers young people peers to listen and discuss concerns. Calls and chats are confidential. Call 1-866-teenlink (833-6546)
- Crisis Connections offers 24-hour support. Call 1-866-427-4747
- Additional community resources are available on the Seattle Public Schools Mental Health Services department webpage.
I am encouraged by the compassion, strength, and resilience of this school community.
During times of need, each of us is challenged to be there for one another. Let us try to give grace when we can, knowing that others may be struggling in unseen ways.
Thank you and best wishes as we head into the long weekend. We will continue to work on your behalf to ensure that better and stronger days for Ingraham and all SPS schools are ahead.
With Gratitude,
Bev Redmond
Interim Chief of Staff/Assistant Superintendent of Public Affairs
Seattle Public Schools