A Message on School Safety and Solidarity

Dear St. George Families,

In light of today’s heartbreaking tragedy at Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis, we join our prayers with Catholic schools across the nation for the victims, their families, and the entire Annunciation community. When one school suffers, we all feel the pain. Together, we lift them up in prayer and solidarity.

As parents, educators, and people of faith, we feel the weight of such tragedies profoundly. They renew our awareness of the sacred responsibility we hold to protect the children entrusted to our care. Please know that the safety and well-being of your children remain our highest priority at St. George.

We are committed to maintaining a secure, responsive, and faith-centered environment where every student can learn, grow, and thrive with confidence. Our school has a number of safety measures in place, including:

• Emergency procedures that are reviewed and practiced regularly with students and staff.

• Secure campus access, with locked exterior doors during the school day and visitor sign-in/check-in requirements.

• Safety partnerships with the Archdiocese of Seattle, local law enforcement, and emergency preparedness organizations.

• Training and resources provided to staff to help guide students during emergencies and to support their emotional well-being.

Supporting Emotional Health

We know that tragedies like this can stir up many feelings in children. It is natural for students to have questions or worries. To support you, we encourage open conversations with your children and remind them that they are safe and cared for at school.

Here are some helpful resources recommended by the Archdiocese of Seattle:

• Talking to Children about the Shooting | The National Child Traumatic Stress Network (nctsn.org)

• Helping Children Cope and Adjust After a Disaster (aap.org)

• Dougy Center Grief Resources for Kids, Teens, and Parents

• Talking to Your Kids about Violence and Disaster (chla.org)

Attached are some additional resources you may find helpful for supporting your family in the days ahead.

Please don’t hesitate to reach out to us if your child needs additional support.

Together, may we hold the Annunciation community in prayer and continue working to keep our own school a place of safety and care.

With prayer,

Monica Wingard

Principal, St. George School

School Safety Resources.docx

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