Dear #RPSStrong Family,
I am devastated to share that seven people were wounded in a shooting in Monroe Park right after the Huguenot HS graduation today. Two of these individuals have died.
In addition to keeping the Huguenot community in your prayers this evening, please check on any Huguenot students, teachers, staff, or families you know. Even a quick text that says "I'm here for you" could make all the difference.
Students who need emergency mental health support should call the ChildSavers Immediate Response line at 804-305-2420 or send a text to 741741. RPS employees in need of emergency support should contact the Cigna 24/7 crisis line at 1-833-ME-CIGNA (1-833-632-4462). Additional counseling and support services are also available through the Cigna Employee Assistance (EAP) program by calling 1-800-544-6931.
Out of an abundance of caution, I have closed all RPS schools and offices tomorrow. In addition, all remaining graduations will be rescheduled for next week (details forthcoming). I sincerely apologize for the inconvenience these changes will cause our families and, of course, our graduates.
I've lost count of the number of times I've written about the horrific impact of gun violence on our students, staff, and families. I simply no longer have the words to fully express the anger, frustration, and profound sadness I feel this evening.
But I am going to close tonight with a few images that you won't see on the news. I wish you all could have been at Huguenot's ceremony to see our students' smiles, tears of joy, and tight embraces of gratitude. I wish you could have seen their beautifully deigned mortar boards, adorned with flowers, flags, and messages of inspiration. And I wish you could have heard the shouts and cheers from families who were brimming with pride. I am immensely proud of our graduates and refuse to let this latest senseless tragedy detract from all that they have accomplished. To our graduates, we love you and are always here for you.