"Such News Can Trigger A Varying Degree Of Emotional Response": L-S Superintendent Addresses Vegas Shootings

SUDBURY, MA— As communities across the country are struggling to make sense of the tragedy in Las Vegas, Bella Wong, the superintendent and principal for the Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School, made sure to address the deadliest mass shooting in modern U.S. history.

On Monday, at the start of Block 6, she buzzed over the loudspeaker to address the school body. She asked them to have compassion for fellow students who might be handling the news in different ways and she offered support for those who might need it.

"Hearing such news affects each of us differently," she told students.

The Victims Of The Las Vegas Shooting

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"I decided to make the announcement during school because it was clear many students and staff were aware of the news and were affected by the magnitude of the tragic proportions," Wong told Patch. "I wanted to acknowledge such news can trigger a varying degree of emotional responses among any of us and to remind students and staff of the availability of pastoral supports. It also presented a shared opportunity to come together as a community for a moment of reflection."

Wong said that the teachers had received an email ahead of time indicating when the announcement would be made. The message lasted roughly 2-3 minutes and included a minute for silent reflection.

She delivered the following address:

Good afternoon, this is Superintendent/Principal Bella Wong. I am interrupting the start of Block 6 to acknowledge the tragic news of what happened last night in Las Vegas where a lone man shot and killed over 50 and injured hundreds of other people who were attending a large outdoor music concert. The shooter is no longer alive. There was and has been immediate support to the venue but the impact of the shooting was of such a magnitude it will take a long time to sort out all of the ramifications before a healing process can begin.

This is very shocking news for any of us to absorb, adult and student alike. Hearing such news affects each of us differently. Please be aware and try to be extra sensitive to one another’s emotional feelings at this time. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to anyone on any of the house and/or counseling teams if you think you need some extra support to process what has happened or if you think a peer could use some special outreach. Let us know if you need help and watch out for one another. Let us offer a moment of reflection in memory of the lives lost in this recent tragedy and for those who are now hugely grieving sudden personal losses.

Photo by Star Max/Associated Press.