Gallagher ‘horrified’ by Texas school shooting
The shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, left 19 students and two teachers dead, with 17 other people wounded. Long Beach Superintendent of Schools Dr. Jennifer Gallagher, who oversees a district with four elementary schools, a middle school, a high school and a pre-K center, said she was “heartbroken and horrified.”
Gallagher sent a letter to parents and families in the district on the night of May 24, the day of the shooting. She wrote that she and the school’s pupil personnel services department were on alert.
“I want to assure you that our PPS staff will be alert over the next few days to any students who may have heard of this shooting and are struggling emotionally,” Gallagher wrote in her letter. Referring to students’ parents, she added, “I know that you are probably doing the same right now in trying to limit our younger children’s exposure to the news and social media.”
Gallagher said that if any children were struggling with the news, and needed any help or resources, they should let their building administrators know. She said each school has a “wonderful mental health support staff” so they can get help if needed.
The school district has reviewed, and will continue to review, its safety protocols. Gallagher said that the Long Beach and Nassau County police had both been in touch with the district to assure administrators that there are currently no threats in the area.
“I know that all of us will be keeping the families involved in this tragedy in our prayers and thoughts over the coming days,” Gallagher wrote. “My heart just breaks for them.”
