CHARLOTTE — Students at Charlotte Catholic High School began their day in prayer Feb. 15, the day after a shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla., killed 17 and injured others.
In an all-school assembly during, school chaplain Father Jason Barone led students inp praying a decade of the rosary for the Douglas students, their families and teachers, according to a letter sent home from Principal Kurt Telford.
Telford and Assistant Principal Steve Carpenter spoke to the students to remind them of the school's safety plan that is in place. Coincidentally, before the school year began, faculty had decided to review the CCHS Safety Plan during the month of February.
Homeroom teachers have been discussing the Safety Plan in segments with their students this month and have emphasized the need for every student to take it seriously, including those who will graduate this year, Telford told parents.
“Unfortunately, this is the world in which we live. We are all in this together, and we are all responsible for ourselves and for each other,” Telford wrote.
Telford said they further emphasized to the students that everyone must be diligent about and mindful of any situation that does not appear right.
“Whether we think a student may harm himself, or suspect that someone may wish to harm others, we all have a responsibility to speak up. This can be done anonymously, of course. As Mr. Carpenter said, we are a family, and this is what we do for each other,” he said.
“We are grateful for the ability to be able to come together in times like these to pray for and with each other. This was a difficult way to start the day, but we are grateful that we can assemble in this place as a Catholic family.”
"The beauty of a Catholic school is that prayer is a most natural response for us." Dr. Janice Ritter, superintendent of Diocese of Charlotte Schools
In separate letters that went out to parents, students and teachers on Feb. 15, the Diocese of Charlotte's superintendent of schools, Dr. Janice Ritter, wrote, "As a nation, we grieve the tragic loss of life; as a Catholic community, we join together in prayer for the victims, their families and the entire Parkland community."
Ritter also emphasized to parents, "I want to assure you, that as a diocese, the safety of our students is a top priority."
Besides annual safety inspections and periodic reviews of security procedures coordinated through the diocese's Properties Office, she noted, all 19 of the diocese's principals receive training for "active shooter" incidents, all schools remain locked and visitors' entrances are controlled, and school safety drills are conducted regularly.
"You might not be aware of the things that take place behind the scenes, but I think it is important for you, as parents, to know that our schools have this type of diocesan support," she wrote.
She added, "As we look at the events taking place throughout our country and our world, I think we all realize, that even with advanced security measures and careful implementation, not every tragedy can be anticipated or prevented. However, we will continue to be conscientious and diligent in our safety and security measures. I hope it is reassuring for you to know that the school leadership, teachers and staff consider the safety of your children as a top priority."
"While we all struggle to make sense of this tragedy, our faith can be a source of comfort and strength for us and for our students. The beauty of a Catholic school is that prayer is a most natural response for us. In our schools, the entire school community can join together in prayer for our neighbors in Parkland," she said.
She also reassured students, "Your principals and teachers take your safety very seriously and work diligently to provide a safe school environment. You can assist them by speaking up when you see or hear something that might be of concern. Sharing this information with a teacher or administrator can be very helpful."
"I want you to know that as I offer my personal prayers for the Parkland community, each of you will also be in my thoughts and prayers," she said.
In a letter specifically addressed to teachers, Ritter thanked them for their vocation as Catholic educators and commented, "The senseless death of these young people is difficult to comprehend. We also think of our colleagues in that school community and empathize with them."
"I know you all place student safety as a top priority and I appreciate all you do to maintain a safe environment for your students," Ritter said.
An upcoming diocesan educator's conference in Greensboro already has two sessions devoted to student safety, one dealing with suicide prevention and another regarding social media and internet safety, she also noted.
— Catholic News Herald. Photo provided by Carolyn Tillman.
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