Dear Cicero District 99 Community,

We write to you this afternoon in light of the heartbreaking news of school violence that occurred this morning at a Catholic elementary school in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Tragically, two children have been reported deceased, with 17 others, including 14 children, reported injured as of this afternoon. 

Cicero District 99 wants to express its deepest sympathies for all families affected by this heinous crime, and acknowledges that such events can be unsettling for children and adults in our own community. 

Understandably, news of this caliber can lead to feelings of anxiety and panic, and the District and Board of Education would like to take this opportunity to reassure our families and staff of the various safety measures the District has in place in its ongoing commitment to school safety, as well as share how the District is supporting students and staff during this time.

• Building security: During the school day, all exterior doors to our schools are locked, and office staff and teachers are trained to adhere to strict access control procedures.

• Emergency drills and procedures: Each year, our schools regularly practice drills for various emergency situations, and all students and staff are continually reminded of school safety procedures.

• Mental health support: Should students or staff ever have questions or concerns about school safety, or struggle with anxiety following news of school-related violence outside our community, the District’s school counselors and support staff are always available to meet and talk. 

• Collaboration with local law enforcement: The District, including administration and school security personnel, maintains a strong, ongoing relationship with the Cicero Police Department. 

What you can do:

Cicero District 99 encourages all families and staff to use this news as an opportunity to talk with children about their feelings and remind them of our collective commitment to safety for everyone. Families and staff can:

• Reassure children of the safety measures and dedication of adults at their school.

• Remind students that if they “see something,” they should always “say something.” Adults — emphasize the importance to children of reporting any suspicious or potentially threatening activity, including things overheard in the school building, off campus or online, to an adult at school as soon as possible.

Together, our community can come together during these times to support each other and reinforce our collective culture of safety and security. By working together, we can all do our part to ensure our schools remain safe and secure for everyone. 

Sincerely,

Dr. Aldo Calderin

Superintendent