WDMCS Statement in Response to Atlanta Shooting (03/23/2021)

This past week, a shooting in Atlanta killed eight people, six of them Asian women. West Des Moines Community Schools (WDMCS) stands in support of and solidarity with our Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) students, families, staff, and the broader AAPI community. You are valued members of our district, and it is an integral part of our mission to provide a safe and welcoming learning environment for you.

The rise of hate crimes against the AAPI community is indicative of larger challenges faced in our society. As a district, we remain committed to our six-point plan for equity and inclusion. Through ongoing learning, community dialogue, and self-reflection on our responsibilities and role as a school district, we continue to combat and address these issues. It is imperative that we stand firm in our values and our fight for equity and justice.

Lisa Remy, Ed.D.
Superintendent

Anthony Ferguson, Jr., Ed.D.
Executive Director of Equity, Inclusion, and Diversity

Family and Educator Resources

• Learning for Justice: Speaking Up Against Racism Around the Coronavirus

• from the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP)

• Countering COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Stigma and Racism: Tips for Parents and Caregivers

• Countering Coronavirus Stigma and Racism: Tips for Teachers and Other Educators

• With another mass shooting taking place in Boulder, CO, on March 22, WDMCS also wanted to provide this NASP resource: Talking to Children About Violence: Tips for Parents and Teachers.