September 6, 2024

Athens, GA--Georgia Conflict Center grieves the deaths of four members of the Georgia school community in Wednesday's brutal mass shooting at Apalachee High School. Our hearts are with those who mourn Richard Aspinwall, Christina Irimie, Mason Schermerhorn, and Christian Angulo, and with all of those physically and emotionally injured by the violence.In this most difficult time, we stand with all those who continue to uphold the right of our children to receive an education free of violence, and to honor the teachers, school staff and administrators, law enforcement and others who dedicate their lives to keeping our school communities safe. Thank you.

Events like this one, are tragically familiar in our country. While many physical wounds will heal, the anguish, trauma, and shattering of our collective sense of safety will undoubtedly linger.

While this tragedy calls us to grieve and mourn the pain and loss of our neighbors, it also strengthens our resolve to continue building safety in schools by teaching students to manage conflict without violence and create positive relationships with adults. We work with students, school staff, parents, and caregivers to create a school culture that is inclusive and resilient and helps protect everyone against harm. We believe these proactive approaches are an indispensable part of preventing school violence, and of supportive healing when violence does occur.

We offer the following resources for those who would like further information and support:

• Everytown Support Fund to Talk to your children about gun violence
• Talking to Your Kids About Tragedy - a bilingual (English/Spanish) resource shared with us by Brightpaths
• A Call to Action Community Resource guide, Athens Anti-discrimination Movement (AADM)
• American Psychological Association Guide to Helping Your Child Manage Distress in the Aftermath of a Shooting
• Mental Health America resource on BIPOC Mental Health
• National Center for School Crisis and Bereavement guide to talking with children after a school shooting

In solidarity with all those struggling and striving for a day that our children no longer have to fear gun violence in their school or in their community,

The Georgia Conflict Center Team

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