Grand Rapids Reporter

Dear GRPS Families,

This morning we awaken and prepare for a day of learning with heavy and difficult questions on our minds.

How will we explain the unexplainable, make sense of the senseless, and help our children understand what we ourselves are struggling to comprehend?

Once again, our state is in the painful spotlight of a violent national tragedy. This time it is unfolding less than 75 miles away on the campus of Michigan State University — a place of higher learning where we proudly send graduates each year to continue their education.

I’m saddened by the loss of life following the shootings at MSU and send our condolences to those most closely impacted by this tragedy. As I watch the coverage this morning, I can’t help but think of the widespread trauma this has inflicted on the other young people on campus and beyond.

It’s not at all lost on me that some of that trauma undoubtedly made its way to Grand Rapids.

Today we open our doors to our scholars and our hearts to the questions and feelings they will have about this news. Our support teams will be available to our young people struggling to process all of this and we will make time as appropriate for our school community to discuss what has happened together.

We have shared some resources on GRPS.org to help families approach these difficult conversations with their children.

The news today underscores the importance of our commitment to the holistic well-being of our scholars and the capacity and responsibility we have to care for one another.

We will work through this together.

On behalf of the Board of Education, please know that we are here for our scholars and families. Don’t hesitate to reach out to your child’s teacher or principal if we can be of additional support.

Leadriane Roby, Ph.D.

Superintendent of Schools 

Original source can be found here.