After a tragedy like this, our students and educators need us to show up with full hands of care, trust in school leaders, restorative practices, and mental health support.
Author: Roxanne Christian, President, Alliance for Education
It is unfathomable to comprehend the depth of pain so many Seattle Public School students, families, educators and school staff are carrying after the horrific and life-altering loss of two students on Friday. School communities are grieving and are doing everything they can to hold one another together amid shock and heartbreak.
Our children deserve every opportunity to grow into adults. That means supporting approaches that build resilience and coping skills; efforts that encourage peer-to-peer dialogue; and opportunities that empower young people to co-create their futures. It means investing in restorative practices that show our boys clear pathways to becoming men: pathways grounded in problem-solving, critical thinking and the ability to see themselves in a future filled with possibility.
As a member of this community, I ask that our leaders with power and influence do not show up empty-handed —requesting, expecting or mandating without personal investment. We must not place additional pressure on already fragile school communities that are navigating profound loss while continuing to care for students.
Our school leaders know firsthand what their students and staff need most right now. I acknowledge that honoring that expertise requires faith in a system that has historically underserved far too many of our students, but this moment calls for that trust. I am not asking for resources to be thrown into a proverbial black hole. I am asking that we leverage the supports already in place and provide targeted resources that directly address student and educator needs for emotional reassurance, stability, and morale.
The Alliance for Education remains committed to standing alongside our school communities during this time of grief. We will continue working with school leaders and community organizations to ensure students and educators have access to the care, stability and support they need.
If you are looking for how to support, please give what you can to our new Resilience Fund. The Fund supports restorative practices and coordinated school health for Seattle students and educators and is deployed during times of loss and grief. It will provide school leaders and organizations closest to community resources so they can ensure students and educators have access to the care, stability and support they need.
This is one way we can show up with care, humility and a shared commitment to our young people and the adults who walk alongside them every day.
Community-Based Resources:
- Alliance for Education Resilience Fund – Support restorative practices coordinated school health, and retention strategies for Seattle students and educators.
- ACE Academy Youth Organizers of Mental Health Education (YOMHE) and FAME GAME programs.
- Seattle Public Schools Mental Health Services department webpage
- Youth Mental Health Resources: Learn about City-funded telehealth services
- King County Gun Violence Community Resources
- Supporting Students, Staff, Families, and Communities Impacted by Violence
- Parent Guidelines for Helping Youth after the Recent Shooting
- Dougy Center For Grieving Children and Families
- Teen Link offers young people peers to listen and discuss concerns. Calls and chats are confidential. Call 1-866-teenlink (833-6546)
- Crisis Connections offers 24-hour support. Call 1-866-427-4747
- Suicide Crisis Hotline – 988
Resources for Rainier Beach Students:
Connect with the Teen Health Center In-Person or Online
Pray Shiferaw –makes referrals to available services
Behavioral Health Coordinator, Communities of Rooted Brilliance
Rainier Beach High School, Counseling Hall Room 2121
pashiferaw@seattleschools.org
Referral Form
Shirelle Carter
Clinic Coordinator
Phone: 206-252-6540
Shirelle.Carter@kingcounty.gov
Laura Stuart
Nurse Practitioner
Phone: 206-296-4639
Laura.Stuart@kingcounty.gov
Melissa McCullough
Mental Health Therapist
Phone: 206-296-4639
Text: 206-929-3162
mmmccullough@seattleschools.org
If you are in crisis text HOME to 741-741 or call 911