A Message from the Superintendent: Uvalde, TX School Shooting

Dear BSD Staff and Families:

Today, our national school community has experienced yet another loss. Please join me in a moment of reflection for the students, staff and families impacted by the senseless gun violence that took the lives of 14 students and one teacher today at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas. I share our sentiments of grief with the entire Uvalde community and hope for a day when such acts will no longer occur in our schools and greater society.

On behalf of the Bellevue school community, I want to thank those who reached out to us. Every school employee is shocked by this terrible violence to children and teachers. I want to express my deep appreciation to BPD Chief Shirley for his immediate call to us and his support in doing everything possible to help parents know that law enforcement will be present for our schools, students and staff.

In this uncertainty, please know that our district takes these events and concerns very seriously; student and staff safety is critical to our school community. The BSD Safety & Security team takes a multi-layered approach to school safety, including physical security, emergency preparedness, and well-trained staff. Safety resources can be found online and are designed to help students, families and staff understand how they can help support safety in our schools through preparedness and awareness.

We join together as a community in grief but also in solidarity. We are shaken but not shattered. We ask that you talk with your students and remind them that their school is a safe place and that we are united in our commitment to the safety of our schools, staff and students.

Dr. Art Jarvis

Interim Superintendent

Bellevue School District 405