Hello Families,
By now you may have read an article on KUOW by Ann Dornfeld. The article paints a picture of View Ridge that’s hard to read. If you haven’t, you now know where to look to be able to read it.
There are likely some in our community that can’t believe it could have happened at our school. There are then others who may have known about some or all of it. There are some that may feel that it is about time that the news is out there. Then there are those that live this experience day in and day out. All of these groups matter and are dealing with big emotions.
I suggest we all stop right now and take a deep breath. And then one more. Then I suggest we plan to listen. Plan to heal. Plan to take steps that these events never happen again. Because as a community, these events are not tolerated. They hurt us all and if they happen to one student, then they impact us all.
If you need support during this time, that is understandable. What we’re all going through is not easy. Here is a link to the district’s mental health resources. Please also consider contacting our school counselor, Ms. Joyce Cho, for your child as needed and for further resources.
If you need to make a report of an incident, here are your options, choose the one that feels most safe for you:
- Talk to your teacher about the incident
- Talk to our interim principal, Ms. Paula Henn
- Talk to our Assistant Principal, Ms. Kristen Eckert
- Talk to our PTA Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee
- Talk to our school’s education director: Dr. Rocky Torres (link to who Dr Torres is)
- Talk to our school board representative: Chandra Hampson
- Talk to members of the Seattle Council Parent Teacher Student Association (SCPTSA) staff:
- Manuela Slye, SCPTSA President
- Sam Fogg, SCPTSA Area 3 Director
Specific staff to speak to regarding students that receive special education services:
- Talk to our school board Director for District 1: Liza Rankin
- Talk to Chief of Student Supports, Concie Pedroza
- Talk to the Special Education PTSA
We are here. We are listening.
Take good care of yourself and each other,
Kathryn Lachenmaier & Megan Flaherty
VREPTA Co-Presidents