Parkland, Florida

Today, we sent this letter home with students to our families in regards to the tragedy at Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. Still in disbelief and hoping for change.

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Dear Conservatory Green High School community,

As a nation and school community, we faced tragic news yesterday with the events that transpired at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. It’s incredibly difficult to know that in a high school, one much like ours, 17 people were lost in an instant while going about their normal business of teaching and learning. It’s not what any of us should have to fear in our daily work, and I’m deeply saddened that it is our reality.

I was a student at Virginia Tech during the shooting on campus just over 10 years ago, and I can’t describe the pain that a community faced with this kind of loss. It can feel hopeless, disorienting, surreal, terrifying, and painful. In the aftermath of these moments there is also a hopeful part – that there are first responders who can summon superhuman courage; that there are mental health workers, teachers, families, and others who have the heart to help victims and survivors be heard and feel comforted; that there are others around the world and the country that are able to have the kindness of heart to step outside of their daily lives and challenges to write us a card, send us a banner, and to let us know that we weren’t alone. At once, we experienced a cruelty that was once unimaginable while also showing us the kindness and humanity that exists in abundance within our community and country.

While we are confident in our processes and procedures to keep kids safe in times of crisis, we also find it troubling that many of these processes were followed yesterday and still resulted in the loss of life. The type of community that we intentionally create is a part of how we maintain a sense of safety on a daily basis. We strive to create a community that is safe, inclusive, and restorative in our response to conflict. I’m hopeful that Conservatory Green High School will always be a place where people are known and loved in their best moments and even more at their most challenging. I know that our students, families, and staff are the right people to build that kind of community together.

As we process this challenge together, we will have ongoing mental health resources if you are in need. Students should feel comfortable reaching out to any adult in the building if they would like to talk or are in need of support in processing these events.

In solidarity with the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School community,

Adeel Khan