Following the fatal shooting of an 18-year old man on Wednesday at Clark Street Beach and the wounding of two youths, School District 65 is planning “a community-wide gathering to process emotions, support one another and promote healing.”
In a website message, Superintendent Devon Horton says topics will include “how to talk to children about gun violence, how to maintain an antiracist focus while processing these events, and how we can work in partnership to promote safety and belonging for all students.”
Horton, who is currently the sole finalist for the superintendency in DeKalb County, Georgia, says the meeting will be open to caregivers, community members and staff.
Details on where and when will be announced.
While the three shooting victims were from Skokie, Horton says “this trauma hits especially close to home and is impacting several of our school communities very deeply.”
He says each District 65 school will help students cope with the incident “in an age and developmentally appropriate way.”
Evanston Township High School is providing counselors for any ETHS students who may feel personally impacted by the shooting, whether they knew the victims or not.
All of those who were shot did not attend ETHS.
18-year-old Jacquis Irby was killed. One 15-year-old remains hospitalized in critical condition. The other was treated and released.
Police say they have no suspects in custody, and are asking the public for any information which could help catch the shooter or shooters.
As a parent, my message to children would be something like this:
“You have the talent and potential to lead a very happy life. The world needs your unique contributions. My job as a parent is to ensure you have every opportunity to have dreams and fulfill them. That’s why you may not like some decisions I make. There will be games and TV streaming I won’t buy. I’ll go to school conferences and speak to your teachers about your academic and social performance. If corrections are needed, we’ll work on them. I will ask to meet your friends. I will want to know where you are when you are away from home or school. If I pay for your phone or watch, the tracker will be on. If you go to a party or sleep over at someone’s house, I will ask to speak with the adults in charge.
You will think this is harsh and that I’m the only parent who does these things. I am not. I’m just trying to help you grow up to the life you deserve.”
What a great idea D65. Please do targeted outreach to PARENTS to participate and fully engage in these efforts!! They need to wake up and focus on the needs of our children. Many of us know from our upbringing that parental influence is HUGE.
Sounds like Skokie needs to address their youth as well…