PGCPS Leaders Urge Legislators To Take Action And Protect Teachers, Students, Staff

PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY, MD — On Wednesday, Prince George's County Public Schools Chief Executive Officer Monica Goldson and education board chair Juanita Miller extended condolences to those affected by the school shooting in Uvalde, Texas. They also called for legislators to better protect teachers, staff and students.

"Each day, in communities across our nation, families place a sacred trust in schools that their children will return home safely. There are no words to express our horror and heartbreak upon learning of yesterday’s loss of 19 children and two teachers inside an elementary school. Our hearts ache for their families, classmates, friends and colleagues," Goldson and Miller said in a joint statement.

"PGCPS will remain diligent in upholding safety measures that protect staff and students who enter our schoolhouses. We urge policymakers to end the cycle of preventable school shootings with legislation that prioritizes the safety of those who teach, learn and work in schools," they added.

Staff would be available to speak with students about the Texas tragedy, they noted.

Here are some additional sources for talking with children about school shootings:

• American Psychological Association (APA): Helping your Child Manage Distress In The Aftermath Of A School Shooting
• National Association of School Psychologists: Talking to Your Children About Violence
• Commonsense Media: Explaining The News To Our Kids
• Commonsense Media: How To Talk To Kids About School Shootings
• Childmind.org: Anxiety Over School Shootings

Read more:

• Texas School Shooting: What We Know About Uvalde Victims
• Texas School Shooting: Gunman Killed 19 Kids, 2 Teachers In Same Class