At the start of its meeting on Tuesday, January 16 the Des Moines School Board shared a message for the DMPS community following the tragic school shooting on January 4 in nearby Perry. With a focus on parents and families, students, and teachers and staff, School Board chair Jackie Norris read the statement below. School Board vice chair Maria Alonzo-Diaz read this statement in Spanish which is available here: Declaracion De La Mesa Directiva. A video of the January 16 School Board meeting, beginning with the reading of these statements, may be viewed to the right.
The last time we convened as a board, most people in the country had never heard of Perry, Iowa. Sadly, that is no longer the case. Perry has become yet another school shooting statistic. These tragic events are becoming all too common, casting a shadow of fear and uncertainty for parents, students, and staff.
As reported in the news, a struggling student who saw no other path forward chose to harm others and take his own life at school. An incredible Principal and an innocent little boy died, along with additional students and staff injured.
Our hearts hurt for the Perry School Community, its leaders, staff, and students.
Sadly, there is no one solution to address the challenge we face as a nation to keep our children and schools safe from gun violence. While school shootings are statistically rare, even one is unacceptable.
We would like to share a few comments for our DMPS families, students, and staff.
To our DMPS Parents and Families:
We need your help.
- Please speak with your children about gun safety. Please normalize conversations about gun safety and take responsible actions that can prevent child gun deaths and injuries. We know that 76 percent of school shooters used firearms acquired from the homes of their parents or close relatives. Firearms are now the leading cause of death for children in the United States. And suicide is the second-leading cause of death for teenagers in Iowa. Eighty-two percent of all suicide victims used a gun that belonged to a family member. We will be making two resources available to DMPS families regarding safe storage of weapons. The Be SMART Safe Storage School Resource from Everytown for Gun Safety and the Talk It Up, Lock It Up Campaign by Polk County Department of Public Health. Please do everything in your power to keep guns out of the hands of our children. This issue does not need to be political; it is about being practical.
- Please prioritize spending 30 minutes a day listening and talking with your child. Research underscores that thirty minutes a day can make a significant difference in the emotional well-being and academic success of a child. We know the demands of modern life are intense, the juggling act of work responsibilities, and the myriad of challenges we face as parents and caregivers. However, we implore you to carve out 30 minutes daily to connect with your child. Put away technology, make eye contact, give them a hug, cook dinner together, read a book or just listen to them. If time is hard to come by, write them a note or show them you care in diverse ways. Please lay the foundation and provide the emotional security they need to navigate the world with confidence, resilience, and compassion.
And remember, family can be broadly defined and comes in all shapes and sizes. What about an elderly neighbor? Someone from your church community? A nonprofit that offers free after-school programming? There is someone out there who can help love on your child.
To our DMPS Students:
We need your help.
Your well-being, your voice, and your actions matter profoundly in shaping our school culture and climate.
- Please ask for help. If you find yourself struggling, feeling overwhelmed, or in need of assistance, please know that it is okay to ask for help. Whether you confide in a trusted teacher, counselor, coach, family member, or friend, know that you are not alone.
- Play an active role in supporting your peer’s mental health.We are asking EVERY student to be attentive to your classmates’ well-being. Put your phone away and pay attention to your classmates. Take the time to genuinely connect. Is someone sitting alone in the cafeteria? Is a student exhibiting signs of distress? Is someone being teased or marginalized? Is someone’s voice not being heard? Be a force for positive change and support them.
Our school culture and climate are not solely defined by policies, programs, or administrators; they are fundamentally shaped by your actions, attitudes, and interactions.
To all DMPS Staff, Teachers, Principals and Administrators:
We thank you.
The recent events involving Perry have undoubtedly resonated deeply within each of you, eliciting a profound sense of empathy, concern, and reflection. As DMPS staff, your commitment to the well-being and safety of our students is unwavering, and I have no doubt that many of you would demonstrate unparalleled courage and dedication, much like the Perry principal, in shielding and protecting our students.
You are responsible for creating an environment where students feel safe, heard, and supported, laying the foundation for their academic success and personal growth. We understand the weight and pressure of that role weighing on your shoulders.
We offer our deepest gratitude and admiration to each educator, principal, and staff member for your unwavering dedication, resilience, and commitment to our students’ well-being
To our whole community, we take the safety and security of the DMPS family very seriously. Later this evening we will be receiving a presentation on the efforts DMPS is taking to keep our students and staff safe in our schools.
Jackie Norris, Chair (At-Large) on behalf of the Des Moines School Board
Maria Alonzo -Diaz, Vice Chair (At-Large)
Teree Caldwell Johnson (District 4)
Ana Campos (District 3)
Patrick Dix (At Large)
Jenna Knox (District 2)
Kim Martorano (District 1)