Dear LCPS community,
Our hearts are heavy again as we learn of the devastating shooting at Silver Rail Elementary School in Bend, Oregon, where three children and a teacher were killed and others were critically injured. We extend our deepest sympathies to the families who have lost loved ones, the injured, the school community and everyone whose lives have been forever changed by this tragedy.
As we watch the leaves change, carve pumpkins, cheer at football games and help our children choose their Halloween costumes, families in Oregon are facing an unimaginable reality: their children are not coming home. Those ordinary moments of childhood and family life should never be overshadowed by the fear of violence. Schools should be places where children feel safe enough to learn, grow, build relationships and imagine their futures — not places where families fear for their lives. We cannot allow these tragedies to become so commonplace that we grow numb to them. Every child lost is a life full of possibility, and every family affected is left with a grief no parent should ever have to experience.
This tragedy is especially difficult to comprehend because the person accused of carrying out this violence was just 16 years old. He was still a child, but that does not lessen the gravity of the alleged actions or the devastating consequences for the victims, their families and the community. At the same time, the age of the accused compels us to confront difficult questions about how we recognize and respond to serious distress among young people before it escalates into violence. Mental health challenges do not excuse violent behavior, and most young people who struggle with their mental health are not violent. But we must take warning signs seriously, ensure young people can access meaningful support and create environments where they feel connected, valued and able to ask for help. We must be willing to address both the circumstances that can lead to violence and the responsibility individuals have for their actions. Protecting our children requires prevention, intervention and accountability, not one at the expense of the others.
Here in Loudoun County, the safety of our students and staff remains our highest priority. Our Office of Safety and Security works every day with school leaders and local law enforcement to maintain strong emergency plans, provide regular training and continually evaluate how we can keep our schools safe. At the same time, we know that safety is about more than responding to an emergency. It is also about building relationships, fostering belonging and making sure students have trusted adults who notice when something is wrong and help them find support.
This responsibility belongs to all of us. Families, schools and communities must work together to ensure young people know they are not alone and that help is available when they need it. I encourage you to check in with your children, listen to their concerns and reassure them that the adults in their lives are working to keep them safe. For guidance on navigating difficult conversations about violence, these resources may be helpful:
If your child needs additional support, LCPS mental health professionals are available. Families may contact SMHSleadershipteam@lcps.org with a phone number, and a member of our team will respond within 24 hours.
We owe our children more than expressions of sorrow after another tragedy. We owe them action, sustained attention to their well-being and a shared commitment to making their physical, mental and emotional safety a priority every day. I refuse to accept that this is simply the world our children must learn to live in. They deserve better, and we must keep working together to make a better reality for them.
With a heavy heart,
Aaron Spence, Ed.D.
Superintendent