Danvers Schools Prioritize Safety, Support After Texas Shooting

DANVERS, MA — Danvers school administrators said comprehensive safety plans are in place and that additional support will be available to students and staff following the latest American school shooting that claimed the lives of 19 students and two teachers in Texas on Tuesday.

Acting Co-Superintendents Keith Taverna and Mary Wermers said in a message to the school community that the district's "deepest sympathies go out to the families and the Uvalde community who are dealing with this tragic situation" and that established security protocols remain in place in the schools.

"We want to assure you that safety is our highest priority and that our schools all have safety and emergency plans that the administrators, staff and students are trained to follow," Taverna and Wermers said. "These plans were developed by school and district administrators in collaboration with Danvers Police and Fire Departments."

The district will also provide additional counseling and support services to students and staff in need.

"We expect your children/students may hear this news and have questions or concerns," they said. "We understand that some of our students may need support to process this horrific event. As a district, our school psychologists, social workers and guidance counselors will be available at our schools to support any students struggling to process the events."

The district also provided a series of resources that families can access on their own.

"We hope that you will help us in reassuring your children that we have many safety protocols in place," the statement said. "Our staff will continue to work closely with our students and families when they are experiencing difficult situations, and we always encourage all members of our community to speak up when they have a concern.

"Please do not hesitate to reach out to your building administrator or our central office for support."

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)