Dear #RPSStrong Family,
As you have likely heard by now, the trial for the Monroe Park shooting has concluded with a guilty plea from Amari Pollard, the young man who killed Huguenot graduate Shawn Jackson. Chair Rizzi and I shared the following statement earlier today:
"June 6 was intended to be a joyful day for Richmond graduates. Instead, it ended in a senseless tragedy that took two lives, and destroyed countless others. We continue to mourn the loss of Shawn Jackson and his step-father Lorenzo Smith, and pray that Mrs. Jackson-Smith finds some closure and peace with the conclusion of the trial. We encourage any students or staff retraumatized by the legal proceedings to seek support from a family member or friend, a trusted colleague, or a healthcare provider.
Far too many children in our community continue to be impacted by gun violence every day. We plead with all of Richmond to continue working, by any means necessary, to eliminate this devastating epidemic and its root causes. We owe that to Shawn, and to all the children and youth of this city."
Many of you may not realize that Shawn and Amari were childhood friends. They even played at each other's homes as young boys. Now one is dead at the hand of the other, and both families are forever destroyed.
I long ago lost count of the number of RPS students lost to gun violence. I can tell you with certainty that it is more than 50 since I've become superintendent. Like many of you, I have become weary – depleted really – by the anguish, the heartache, and the trauma.
At times like this, I often look to others for words of inspiration. Though I avoid quoting religious texts given the separation of church and state, I hope you will indulge me this one time with the words of Isaiah, a prophet revered in many faiths. Chapter 40:30-31 says: "He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even the young grow tired and weary, and the young stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."
As we move forward from this tragedy, may we all find strength and not be faint. May we continue to rise up against the forces of history that conspire to keep our students down. May we give lift to our children's dreams and help them soar like eagles.
