Fresno Schools Chief Reacts to Texas School Shooting: ‘If You See Something, Please SAY SOMETHING’

Fresno Unified Superintendent Bob Nelson said Wednesday he is heartbroken and sickened by the mass shooting at an elementary school in Texas that claimed the lives of 19 children and two fourth-grade teachers Tuesday.

In a Facebook post and a statement released by the district, Nelson urged the Fresno Unified community to do everything possible to prevent such bloodshed from occurring here.

He noted that the shooter, who news reports have identified as an 18-year-old high school senior in Uvalde, Texas, had posted assault rifles on social media and sent “cryptic” messages to at least two other people on social media and by text.

“I beg of each and every one of our Fresno Unified family – if you see something, please SAY SOMETHING. Trust your gut and pay attention to behavior changes and disturbing comments that you hear from others. Tell a trusted adult on campus of any concerns you may have and don’t hesitate because you think someone is ‘just joking.’ By being safe and reporting any concerning comments or behavior, you could be saving lives,” Nelson said in his message.

Statement from Superintendent Bob Nelson following the Uvalde Texas Shooting. pic.twitter.com/b2w0tuHFzY

— Fresno Unified (@fresnounified) May 25, 2022

Fresno Unified and Fresno police will immediately investigate such reports, he said. “And if it turns out to not be a credible threat there is no harm done to anyone,” he added.

Nelson named the two teachers and six of the 19 students killed in the shooting, which occurred in a fourth-grade classroom, saying he wanted to “honor and acknowledge the beautiful souls we know were taken much too soon in yesterday’s shooting.”

Security Plans Under Review

In recent months, the district has been reviewing its safety plans and protocols, he said.

“But even more importantly, we are focused on prevention as we hope we never, ever have to use those emergency plans and protocols,” Nelson said.

He provided several resource lists for parents, students, and staff that he said could assist with “painful” conversations about the mass shooting.

“It is not natural to know how to process tragedies such as this, please reach out and use our resources,” Nelson wrote. “We love you Fresno Unified family.”

Clovis Unified Re-Examines Safety Plans

Meanwhile Clovis Unified School District Superintendent Eimear O’Brien said Wednesday that district officials are re-examining safety protocols and plans to make sure they are up to date in the wake of the Texas incident.

Clovis Unified schools regularly practice safety drills, including lockdowns and evacuations, to make sure students and staff remain familiar with them, the district said.

Plus, the district’s trained police force provides security at schools and works in partnership with area police departments and the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office.

“I also want to emphasize that at its core, our work revolves around our people and the supportive and trusting relationships they form with our students so that we learn of concerns early, wrap our students in physical, emotional, and social supports, and maximize the eyes and ears of our staff, students, parents, and community to keep our schools safe,” O’Brien said in a statement released by the district.

Fresno Unified Resources Lists

Resources for Families to Communicate with your Children:

Talking to Children About Violence: Tips for Parents and Educators (infographic) — National Association of School Psychologists
Hablarles a los niños sobre violencia: consejos para padres y educadores (infographic) — National Association of School Psychologists
Talking to Children About Violence: Tips for Parents and Teachers — National Association of School Psychologists
Five tips to help children cope with a national tragedy — OCDE Newsroom
Parent Guidelines for helping youth after a shooting — National Child Traumatic Stress Network
How to Talk to Kids About Violence, Crime and War — Common Sense Media

Student Mental Health Resources:

Reach out directly to the social worker, psychologist, counselor, and/or restorative practice counselor at your school.
Make a referral for social/emotional support for yourself or someone else at dpi.fresnounified.org/sss/sews/.
Head to the CareSolace website to get a referral to support at https://caresolace.com/site/fresnofamilies/ (families can use as well).
Text “HELLO” to 741741, and/or call the SAMHSA Disaster Distress Hotline at 1-800-985-5990.

Staff Mental Health Resources:

Reach out to Claremont EAP at https://www.claremonteap.com/ or 800-834-3773 where counselors are always available.
Head to the CareSolace website to get a referral to support at https://caresolace.com/site/fresnofamilies/.
Text “HELLO” to 741741, and/or call the SAMHSA Disaster Distress Hotline at 1-800-985-5990.

Police walk near Robb Elementary School following a shooting, Tuesday, May 24, 2022, in Uvalde, Texas. (AP/Dario Lopez-Mills)