Message from the PTA President

Dear Franklin Families,

If you’re reeling from the horrific news out of Uvalde, Texas, out of Buffalo, NY or right here in Laguna Woods, you are not alone.  So many have lost family and loved ones this month to mass shootings.  It is hard to even wrap our minds around the sheer magnitude of the pain and suffering.   Many of us are heartbroken. Many of us are grieving.  Many of us are trying to make sense of a world where our kids can fall victims to such terrible violence.

No matter where we stand politically, I believe the vast majority of us don’t want to have to worry about the possibility of a mass shooting occurring as we go about our daily lives. But, with every violent incident, we learn that this violence reaches all kinds of people in all kinds of communities. 

If you would like assistance as you and your families process your thoughts and feelings around these terrible acts of violence, SMMUSD has compiled a list of resources to assist you. Additional resources can be found here, in Spanish.

The Los Angeles County Office of Education (LACOE) has a list of mental health resources here.

The folks over at Sesame Street have also created some programming that deals with violence and media consumption during violent incidents.  They are relevant to little kids and adolescents and can be found here.

If you would like to know how to take action on behalf of our school communities, the California State PTA  (CAPTA) has resources available to help you in your advocacy efforts here.

As we move forward in the next few days, please check in on one another, check in on your kids and if you are so moved, find ways to take action. 

Sending you love and encouragement,

April