Three weeks ago, an unspeakable school tragedy took place in southern Texas.

Like everywhere else across the nation, the emotions, thoughts and prayers of the Cassville school community are certainly with the families, educators and community of Uvalde. Although this Texas community is far away geographically, something like this hits close to home for every family with school-age children and everyone who works in a school.

It is not only devastating to hear about families experiencing tragedy, but it is also frightening and puts many of us on edge since school should be a place where we feel the safest. As we prepare for the 2022-2023 academic year, it will be a top priority for our school leaders, staff, and local law enforcement to work together to ensure our district remains a safe place for our students, faculty, staff, and visitors.

A safe and secure learning environment is essential for student success. Our school leaders will be participating in meaningful safety preparedness trainings this summer.

The curriculum within these trainings includes information on mental health resources for schools, multi-tiered systems of support, the role of the School Resource Officer (SROs) in schools, de-escalation and crisis intervention, and other topics designed to help educators improve the climate of schools.

As a community working together to protect all of our students and staff, we need your help! I want to take this opportunity to reiterate the need for everyone to communicate suspicions and concerns with principals, staff or law enforcement. The goal is to always be proactive regarding risks and threats before they arise.

Our ability to thwart a problem is only as good as the information we get from families, students and community members. Your involvement is a vital part in the district’s efforts to provide a safe environment for our schools.

Never has there been a more important time to ensure that our school buildings are safe each and every day. Although the ability to implement that safety is multi-faceted, the training our staff will be participating in will help us take one more step in helping us accomplish these important goals. Life is precious and can never be taken for granted.

Sometimes, we get so wrapped up in trivial things that we lose sight of what is most important. It is essential that we as a school community take the time to reflect and refocus, become the best versions of ourselves, and do what is right and of the greatest good for those we are here to protect and educate.

Thank you for your help in partnering with us to do everything possible to protect the children and staff of Cassville R-IV Schools!

Merlyn Johnson is the superintendent of the Cassville school district. He may be reached at 417- 847-2221.