NEA President on tragic shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School
With at least 17 dead, country needs 'to do more to end these senseless shootings'
Washington, DC - February 14, 2018 -
At least 17 students and educators reportedly were killed after a gunman opened fire both inside and outside Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, according to officials.
The following statement can be attributed to NEA President Lily Eskelsen García:
"Our hearts are broken yet again by the senseless and tragic shooting in our nation's public schools, this time in Parkland, Florida. We are monitoring closely the still developing and tense situation, but we have confidence in the ability of the first responders and the school staff and administrators to help students and families at this time. While our thoughts and prayers are with Marjory Stoneman Douglas students, educators and their families, we know that we, as a country, need to do more to end these senseless shootings.
"As educators, our foremost priority is to ensure the safety and well-being of all of our students. Our focus now is on supporting the educators, students and their families in the Broward County community today and in the future. We all have a responsibility to create safe schools and communities. As a state and a country, we can and must do more to ensure that everyone who walks through our school doors - educator, student, parent or community member - is safe and free from violence."
Resources for educators and parents are available at FEAweb.org
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The National Education Association is the nation's largest professional employee organization, representing nearly 3 million elementary and secondary teachers, higher education faculty, education support professionals, school administrators, retired educators, and students preparing to become teachers. Learn more at www.nea.org
Staci Maiers, NEA Communications
202-270-5333 cell
RELATED LINKS
- The Stephanie Miller Show | nationally syndicated podcast, NEA Vice President Becky Pringle interview - February 16, 2018
- Should teachers have guns in classroom? DC-area leaders sound off after Fla. shooting | WTOP.com, Washington, DC
- School Shooting And School Safety, How Do We Keep Schools Safe? NEA Vice President Becky Pringle interview | WHUR Howard University Radio, "The Daily Drum", February 15, 2018
- NEA President Lily Eskelsen García interview | WTOP-AM/FM (CBS Radio Network) Washington, DC - February 15, 2018
- “We need to pass common sense gun laws and we need to do it now”: VP, National Education Association, Becky Pringle | Independent Television News (4News) London, England UK - February 16, 2018
- Our struggle to keep our schools the safest place a child could be will continue | Lilysblackboard.com - February 15, 2018
- AFT President Randi Weingarten on the Florida School Shooting - February 15, 2018
- Florida Education Association (FEA) statement on high school shooting in Parkland, Florida Febraury 15, 2018 (PDF, 1pg, 70kb)
- School Shootings and Other Traumatic Events: How To Talk To Students To help students who are continually hearing about senseless gun violence in or near schools and are scared about their safety, we offer advice from the National Association of School Psychologists.
