Greenville County Schools focus on return for students after Tanglewood Middle School shooting
It was a quiet Friday morning at Tanglewood Middle School. Less than 24 hours after a 12-year-old student was killed in a fatal shooting that took place at the school, the parking lot slowly filled as staff showed up for their shift and parents dropped their children off for an optional day.
For Greenville County Schools, the focus is to return to the school's normal routine "sooner than later."
"I think one message that we've tried to instill in the staff, particularly today, but increasingly in the students as we move forward is, we think it's important for everyone to get back into the routine of thinking about school being here," Greenville County Schools spokesperson Tim Waller said.
"It's important to get back into the groove to draw support from one another, to really reclaim that space up there, which is a wonderful school. And we want people to acknowledge that and come back and get back into the routine as soon as possible."
On Thursday, 12-year-old Jamari Cortez Bonaparte-Jackson was shot and killed allegedly by another 12-year-old child. The Greenville County Sheriff's Office and the Coroner's Office are continuing to investigate.
Friday afternoon, the main hallway of Tanglewood Middle School was sparse in foot traffic with around 70 to 80 students and most of the staff present.
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In the receptionist corridor, students, parents and staff members were buzzed in by two receptionists who took phone calls from parents, checked visitor credentials, and organized staff members to assist students back into the school to pick up their book bags and other belongings.
Waller said that there are a lot of resources available to the students, staff and administrators .
Through the school district's partnership with Greenville Mental Health, there are more than 90 licensed therapists within the district with one currently at Tanglewood Middle School. The school also has counselors and social workers.
Chris Haines, Director of School Mental Health Programs at Greater Greenville Mental Health Center, advises parents to take the time to talk with their kids about the incident.
"Don't avoid this subject; it's likely that they've heard about it or know about it already. What you want to do is make sure that rather than avoiding it, you proactively bring it up," Haines said.
"Ask kids how they're feeling or what they know. And if you're talking about the situation, give as many factual statements as you can, just basic facts, but only what's appropriate for their development and their age."
Haines also said that kids should try to stick with their normal routine after a traumatic incident as it helps the child's brain to feel safe and stable.
"If there are rules at home, for example, like a curfew or certain rules, keep those in place. If there's a schedule, keep it in place. Keep operating on that same routine, so that kids feel a sense of safety and stability," he said.
Parents and guardians should help kids know what is normal to feel after hearing about or experiencing something really scary.
"It's normal to feel scared or anxious or angry or shocked or numb or guilty. There are no right or wrong feelings. And what's important about feelings is that you talk about them. That's how we get through hard feelings."
In addition to increased law enforcement at the school, the school district has a system in place to provide extra support to students and help them manage emotions when they return to school on Monday morning.
Alexis Hamilton is a Beaufort, SC native covering higher education in the Upstate. Reach her at 727-514-5734 or ahamilton@gannett.com.
A.J. Jackson is a general assignment reporter for the Independent Mail. Email him at ajackson@gannett.com with story ideas and leads.