EVERMAN INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT
MEMORANDUM
| Date: | December 17, 2012 |
| To: | EISD Community |
| From: | Jeri Pfeifer |
| In Re: | Response to Sandy Hook Elementary Tragedy |
The agony of innocence lost at Sandy Hook Elementary will forever change the landscape of public gatherings, especially at elementary campuses. There’s not an educator in the nation who reported to work today without thinking about it. There are likely no parents, either. The hole in educator hearts is too large to fill quickly, but the resolve in our souls demands immediate response.
We want to do something. Find some good to come from all this grief. Fix something that’s broken. Stop the evil in the world. Protect children from anything or anyone who would hurt them. Do something to provide whatever assurances and whatever securities will make the pain decrease and the protection increase.
Sandy Hook Elementary was a secure campus. Locked doors; trained faculty; screened visitors. Yet, none of the deterrents stopped the individual, or even slowed him down from his mission. It is possible, that despite all efforts to install safety features everywhere, that evil will prevail. Educators cannot guarantee anything, except that they will protect children with their lives, as they have done in every incident of campus violence reported to the public.
In recent years, EISD has taken strong steps toward campus and district safety. Some of these are in response to incidences of campus violence in other places, newly enacted legislation, EISD Board directives and sound judgment regarding public safety. EISD will continue to be watchful and diligent to protect every student and every employee of the district.
The District invites parents and community members to participate in this important work with any concerns and suggestions for improvement. Together, this community can respond to President Obama’s call to “do better than this.” We can and we will.
Sincerely,
Jeri Pfeifer
Everman ISD