Hopewell City Public Schools Uvalde Response Statement

Dear Hopewell City Public Schools’ Community:

It is with a heaviest of hearts that I, your superintendent of schools, address another horrific school shooting in our country. But today, I also respond from an even more important role and lens than your superintendent. I join with you as parents and family members. I am the mother of two adult children and there is nothing I wouldn’t do to protect them from harm. I can only imagine the emotions our families are dealing with as they consider sending their loved ones and babies to school today. And while I know that there are no words in this moment to ease your understanding, pain and fears, I will once again assure you that you can trust us to do everything in our power to protect your children you entrust to us each and every school day.

I told our staff in an email early this morning, there is no sense-making of this event. When you harm children, you reach to the very core of our existence and purpose. The heart of America has been broken once again. I simply cannot imagine processing anything more difficult than our students being the innocent victims of gun violence. But, as we always do, we will “show up” for your babies this morning and for each other in ways we cannot even yet comprehend, because we LOVE. We LOVE first...even before we understand...even before we work through it ourselves...because that's what we do. We will embrace your children today, and every day we are privileged to serve them with the Golden Rule. We will do for them what we would want and do for our own children. We will love them through this. We will protect them as we would our own children. We will put any and all supports in place to keep them safe above all else. And somehow, we will get through this horrible event in our history better and stronger. It seems impossible now…but we have no choice. They are our first priority and you trust us to take care of them. We take that responsibility very seriously.

I have no words yet of comfort, strength or peace. Truth be told, I’m struggling myself to process all of this. These horrific events don't ever get easier. But today, we simply grieve...we support one another and your precious babies. We give ourselves a pass to hurt, process, respond and plan. But above all else, we give you our word and promise that we will do everything in our power to prevent this from happening in Hopewell. Starting now, this means increased visibility and presence of our school security officers together with the Hopewell Police Department and Hopewell Sheriff's Office. It also means that we will be showing our students extra attention, grace, and connection.

Beyond today, we will continue to evaluate and upgrade our safety awareness. We will also deepen our commitment to ensure we are making connections with each of our students so that they feel seen, loved, and heard every day. We feel doing this together is so important for our whole Hopewell community.

I am so very sorry to each of you that this has become our reality. But it is a painful reminder once again, of the importance of our work and the impact for positive change we have.

I love you all and am praying for our city, our commonwealth and our country.

Melody Hackney