ALEXANDRIA, Va., (May 18, 2018)—National PTA President Jim Accomando and Texas PTA President Lisa Holbrook issued the following statement on the shooting at Santa Fe High School in Santa Fe, Texas:“This is the second shooting at a high school in the past week and the second mass shooting at a school this year. We are way beyond ‘enough is enough.’ More must be done immediately to keep our children safe.“It is unconscionable that we fear for the safety of our children every time they leave home for school. There needs to be a greater sense of urgency to improve school safety and protect our children.“Parents, students, teachers, administrators, counselors, law enforcement, community leaders and elected officials must work together to make truly meaningful changes to stop senseless acts like the one in Santa Fe that rob our students of a safe learning environment. Each group provides unique and important knowledge, perspective, insight and information. Partnering is essential to shape policies based on best practices in school safety and climate, student mental health, instructional leadership, teaching and learning.
“The Federal Commission on School Safety has a unique opportunity to bring all stakeholders together to share our working knowledge and ensure our children are able to learn and grow in a safe environment and reach their full potential. National PTA asks the Commission to work urgently to engage stakeholders in the field in a substantive way and to continue its efforts to study, evaluate and make recommendations on how to improve school safety in this time of crisis.“Texas PTA calls on the state legislature to make school safety the number one issue on its agenda. The association urges policymakers to assess current policies to identify students with mental health issues and the methods of intervention being utilized. The association also calls for the state to evaluate all school campuses to ensure full implementation of school safety plan requirements.“It remains a top priority of PTA to promote safety for children and youth and improve education. PTA has a strong history of supporting and advocating for policies in the areas of gun safety and violence prevention, juvenile justice, mental health and students’ overall well-being.“PTA is also committed to supporting students, families, schools and communities in coping with and preventing violence. The association offers a variety of resources that can be downloaded at PTA.org/SchoolSafety.”About National PTANational PTA® comprises millions of families, students, teachers, administrators, and business and community leaders devoted to the educational success of children and the promotion of family engagement in schools. PTA is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit association that prides itself on being a powerful voice for all children, a relevant resource for families and communities, and a strong advocate for public education. Membership in PTA is open to anyone who wants to be involved and make a difference for the education, health and welfare of children and youth. For more information, visit PTA.org.About Texas PTATexas PTA is the largest grassroots organization in Texas with half a million members – parents, teachers and others who have a special interest in children, youth, families and schools. Texas PTA is a noncommercial, nonsectarian-nonpartisan organization that does not endorse any candidate or political party. For more information on Texas PTA, visit www.txpta.orgor contact the state office at 800-TALK-PTA.
