Dear Parents and Students,
This has been a very difficult week for the entire UFRSD learning community. The shock and awe of the mindless behavior of one student, has reminded all of us of how vulnerable we all are in today’s society. Behaviors of this nature have all become too familiar and serve to remind us of the need for each parent, grandparent, aunt and uncle, teacher, neighbor, minister and priest, to be active role models for our children every moment of every day. We teach by our example and model for our children how people in a civilized society think about our rights and the rights of others. We need to reassure them of their right to live each day knowing they are safe, secure, appreciated and loved. Just today a student asked one of our school leaders about why so many adults have taken to social media and responded with anger and powerful language that, to them, is frightening and dark. The student was saddened by what she was seeing, hearing and reading. The student indicated that her friends and classmates are upset by what they are seeing on social media.
As a community we clearly should be outraged at the behavior of this individual. Our parents and our children have every right to expect that community elders, school leaders, legal experts, and police officials, will respond in a decisive manner to make certain that they are safe and secure no matter where they are: at school, at church, at youth group, on the track or at our practice fields. We can best help them feel safe by demonstrating that we are fully committed to their safety and their needs for reassurance and personal protection.
I have shared with our parents over and over how much I love our kids. I take great pride in what they do, how hard they work, their performance in the classroom, on stage, during the half time shows, and their desire to do community service projects. I assure you that I will continue to care for your children with the same energy, conviction, and commitment as I do for my seven children and my seventeen grandchildren. I ask that you to stand by us now at this hour. I beg you to turn to your kids and tell them you love them. Tell them that they are your legacy, that they represent your hopes for today and their dreams for the future. Share with them that they are everything to you and that together the good people of this wonderful village will keep them safe no matter what. Remind them to think about every decision they make and to remember that you expect that they, as well as their friends and classmates, need to be thoughtful about the decisions and choices they make.
I commit to each and every parent that I will protect your children, that I will not allow your children to be subject to any repeat of the behavior witnessed on Wednesday.
Dr. Fitzpatrick