Westwood Hills Elementary School will reopen on Thursday, Sept. 17, “for students ready to return,” according to an update from Waynesboro Public Schools that went out on Friday.
“We know there is no single date, timeline or response that will feel right for every person affected by the tragedy at Westwood Hills,” the school system noted in the update. “Recovery is deeply personal. Some members of our Westwood family are ready to return, while others need more time. Both responses are understandable, and both deserve our compassion and support.”
The schedule for a return in the wake of the Sept. 2 shooting at the school, in which a gunman shot his way into the school through a back door, and tried to gain entry into several classrooms, before turning his 20-gauge shotgun on himself, will be “deliberate and gradual, with time intentionally built into the schedule to support both students and the adults who care for them.”
Schedule
Monday, Sept. 14, is designated a “Staff Support, Training and Preparation” day, in which Westwood Hills teachers and staff will receive support from licensed mental health professionals and will receive additional training in trauma-informed care.
“We want our employees to be prepared to respond sensitively to the needs of our students while also recognizing that our staff members are processing trauma themselves,” the school system said in the update.
A family open house is scheduled for 3-6 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 15.
“School division leadership and members of the Waynesboro School Board will be present to support families and answer questions that remain,” the school system said.
Wednesday, Sept. 16, then, will be another staff day, with the idea being to give “employees time to process the conversations, stories, emotions, and feedback shared by families.”
Leading to reopening day, Thursday, Sept. 17.
“We are excited to welcome back the students and families who are ready to return. At the same time, we understand that some families may not be ready,” the update from the school system shared today tells us. “Recovery does not happen according to a school calendar nor at the same pace for everyone. Student absences related to ongoing anxiety, trauma responses, and recovery will be marked excused. If your child is unable to return to Westwood Hills, our team will work with your family to determine the most appropriate next step.”
Business as usual, as much as possible
A key thing stressed in the update: as much as the community will want to show their support for returning students, teachers and staff, we can’t be there, for reasons that will become obvious when you read on.
“We know these gestures come from a place of genuine love and encouragement. However, at the same time, some of our students and staff are still processing trauma, and unfamiliar people on or near campus, additional activity, and visual distractions may feel overwhelming during what could already be a difficult day,” the school system said today.
“One of the most meaningful ways you can support us on Sept. 17 is by helping us maintain a calm, familiar, and predictable environment for our students and staff. We are deeply thankful for your understanding, compassion, and continued support.”
Security
We’ve raised issue with the shortage of school resource officers in the city schools; to that end, the Waynesboro Police Department is assigning an SRO, Sgt. Evan Bourne, to Westwood Hills.
“Bourne, along with other Waynesboro Police Department officers, will maintain a visible and supportive presence at the school as students and staff return,” today’s update tells us.
From the archives
- Coverage of the Westwood Hills shooting: click here.
In terms of long-term needs, the school system is applying for funding through the U.S. Department of Education’s School Emergency Response to Violence grant program. The program, which goes by the name Project SERV, supports schools and school divisions that have experienced violent or traumatic events, including school shootings and other tragedies, and can provide resources as school communities recover and establish what will become their “new normal.”
“If awarded, these resources would help WPS address evolving needs associated with the recovery of Westwood Hills students, staff, and families,” the school system update said.
“We know the needs our community has today may look different several weeks, months, and years from now. Our responsibility is to prepare for both the immediate needs and those that may emerge over time. We will keep you informed about long-term plans as they develop.
“Sept. 17 is an important milestone. It is not the finish line,” the update said.
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Chris Graham
