Millburn Superintendent On School Shootings: Thank Unsung Heroes

MILLBURN, NJ — Thank the “unsung heroes,” Millburn.

As the week of the tragic shooting in Parkland, Florida drew to a close, Millburn Superintendent Christine Burton wrote an email to local parents and guardians in the district, asking them to thank “our unsung heroes in these times of crisis.”

Burton wrote:

“I wish my letter this week was not about yet another school shooting. They are, unfortunately, becoming all too commonplace. While our immediate response to these events is to review our safety and security procedures, another step we take is to reach out to our own “first responders,” our counselors, school psychologists, social workers and nurses, who provide emotional and health support for our students and families.

“I want to thank them for being our unsung heroes in these times of crisis. Whether it’s a listening ear, or a referral to additional expertise, our counselors and health staff are the best in the business. We have been hearing this week from child development experts about the need for connectedness. Children need to feel connected … there are many ways our teachers and staff do that every day in our classrooms. But when a child shows signs of requiring additional assistance, of being at-risk in any way, we pull in our specialists who assess and provide guidance and help to our students and their families.

“We encourage our students and families to reach out if they have concerns about any of our children. We are a village…we must help each other.”

Burton shared a reminder that was sent to high school students and parents last week:

• "Counselors and administration are always available for support and concerns."
• "Speak up for friends and teammates who hesitate to do so."
• "I can't emphasize enough to the rest of our students: our staff is here in times of need -- don't hesitate to contact us!"
• "The well-being of our students - emotionally and physically - is of paramount importance. If you have information to share, concerns to relay or just need to talk: please come to us!"

According to Burton, some good suggestions for talking to children about crisis incidents come from

The American School Counseling Association, the Child Development Institute, Healthy Children.org and The American Psychological Association.

“We are thinking about the students and families in Parkland, and share their grief from afar,” Burton concluded. “I know there are township families who have friends and relatives in that community, and I send you, and them, my heartfelt sympathy.”

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