WMU schools respond to Perry school shooting

WINFIELD — A week ago in Perry, Iowa, public school parents were faced with their worst nightmare: an active shooter in their children’s school. The aftermath left the community and the entire state grappling with what to do next.

Winfield-Mt. Union Schools quickly responded to the events of the day by sending out the following news release:

“Dear Parents and/or Guardians of Winfield-Mt. Union Community School District:

As you may be aware, there has been an incident of school violence this morning at Perry High School, which is a community just outside of Des Moines. While the details are not yet clear, our thoughts are with the students, staff, and families of Perry at this time.

We want our families to know that we are in close contact with our local law enforcement officials. They believe the incident in Perry to be isolated and there is no indication of an active threat to school safety here at W-MU.

Out of an abundance of caution, there will be an increased police presence in our community today. The safety and security of our school community remains our top priority.

We know some students may struggle to process terrible news like this. Our school counselor is available and ready to assist, as needed. We encourage students to stop by the counseling office at their school at any time if they need support.

If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me. Thank you for your attention to this important update.

Sincerely,

Dr. Michael J. Volk, Supt.“

With W-MU being a preschool through 12th grade building, parents may be uncertain how to talk to their elementary aged students about the tragedy, or if they should even broach the topic. There are several resources available to parents online to help navigate this topic, including information available at The Fred Rogers Institute, The National Association of School Psychologists, and the American Counseling Association.

According to The Fred Rogers Institute, parents should be mindful that children are more aware of things going on in the world around them and are especially sensitive to the moods and conversations of the adults and caregivers around them.

The organization stresses that “when the world feels uncertain and the news is scary, we can help children feel safe by letting children know we will always care for them and love them, no matter what.”

The information from the institute also notes the importance of monitoring what children hear and see on the news and social media, noting that it is best if children learn about events from a trusted adult who can engage them in meaningful and intentional conversations geared toward their age.

The National Association of School Psychologists notes in their informational guide that how adults express their emotions will influence the reactions of children and youth. The association also notes that it is not uncommon for children to feel any range of any of the following after a traumatic event: shock, fear, guilt, grief, confusion, shame, or even anger.

Should you notice any unusual emotions or behavior from your student possibly surrounding how they are handling the news of what happened, parents are encouraged to reach out to the school counselor for more tips or assistance with reassuring their child.