Wear Orange March For Gun Violence Awareness Set For June 4

Press release from Plainfield Public Schools:

May 25, 2022

Dear Plainfield Staff, Students, Parents, and Community Members:

Yesterday, we witnessed yet another heartbreaking and unconscionable school shooting where 19 children and two adults were killed at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas. We are deeply saddened by this tragic event and our thoughts and prayers are with the families and community of Uvalde. Please join us this morning at 10:00 a.m. for a moment of silence as we remember the lives lost.

I want to assure you that Plainfield Public Schools remain a safe place for students, employees, and families. Our security team and administration will do what is necessary to prevent a tragedy from happening like this in Plainfield. We fully embrace our partnership with the New Jersey Department of Education Office of School Preparedness and Emergency Planning (OSPEP) and the Plainfield Police Department as we work collaboratively in establishing and maintaining safe and secure school environments.

I would like to share a few suggestions from the National Association of School Psychologist (NASP) about what schools, and parents can do at times like this:

a. Reassure schools are safe places. Our school staff works with local police and fire departments, emergency responders, and hospitals to keep you safe.

b. Review safety procedures. There should be procedures and safeguards at school and at home. Help children identify at least one adult at school and in the community to whom they go to if they feel threatened or at risk.

c. Observe children’s emotional state. Some children may not express their concerns verbally.

d. Limit television viewing of these events. Developmentally inappropriate information can cause anxiety or confusion, particularly in young children. Adults also need to be mindful of the content of conversations they have with each other in front of children, even teenagers,
and limit their exposure to vengeful, hateful, and angry comments that might be misunderstood.

e. Stay away from guns and other weapons. Tell an adult if you know someone has a gun. Access to guns is one of the leading risk factors for deadly violence. Parents, if you have guns and other weapons in your home, please lock them up.

f. Violence is never a solution to personal problems. Students can be part of the positive solution by participating in anti-violence programs at school, learning conflict mediation skills, and seeking help from an adult if they or a peer is struggling with anger, depression, or other emotions they cannot control.

As we close out the school year, the District will continue to assess our safety protocols and required safety drills. The safety of our students, staff and community are the highest priority in our District. If you have concerns about your child’s reaction to this news, please contact your child’s Administrator or Counselor for counseling resources.

Sincerely,
Diana Mitchell, Ed.D.
Superintendent

RELATED - WEAR ORANGE MARCH FOR GUN VIOLENCE AWARENESS
BOE Member Mr. Victor L. Webb, Jr. is one of the organizers of the Wear Orange March for Gun Violence Awareness, a national march that will be taking place in the City of Plainfield on Saturday, June 4, 2022 from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Mr. Webb he is requesting the presence of our student groups at the march. Marchers of the Wear Orange March for Gun Violence Awareness will gather at the Plainfield Performing Arts Center, 724 Park Avenue, Plainfield, between 8:30 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. and will walk to City Hall on 515 Watchung Avenue.

Please share with your students and families. If you have a student group such as the: VIPs, Maxson Ambassadors, LASO, National Honor Society, Student Council, Class Officers, PTOs who would like to volunteer, the group will be asked to assist with distribution of ribbons along the marching route. Mr. Webb is asking for the Band, Cheerleaders, Sports Teams, Theatre Groups, drummers, percussionist, and QTN students to join.

This press release was produced by Plainfield Public Schools. The views expressed here are the author's own.