Dear FHSD Community,

We are shocked and saddened by the news of the horrific school shooting yesterday in Parkland, FL. As a result, today you may notice an increased police presence around our schools. We want to emphasize that FHSD has not received any threats; our local law enforcement agencies are just being extra vigilant and working to help our students and staff feel safe in our schools.

Tragic events such as these can affect the emotional well-being of people everywhere. We have counselors available for students or staff who need to process their emotions; please let your school counselors know if your child needs assistance. This is also an opportunity to talk to your child about the best way to resolve conflicts and appropriate behaviors at school. We want to be proactive and help our students take a calm, rational approach to any situation.

While we don’t anticipate any incidents in Francis Howell, please know that our District and building administrators are always working closely with local law enforcement agencies in order to keep students and staff safe. Each of our schools conducts more than 15 safety drills every year, including surprise intruder drills. Thinking and talking about emergency situations at school can be uncomfortable, but it is work that we gladly do to ensure the safety of all. Thank you for your support and assistance in keeping our students and staff safe.

Sincerely,
Dr. Mary Hendricks-Harris
Superintendent