Parents/Guardians,
Like you, I am deeply saddened by today’s news report of another tragic school shooting. This one, at Central Visual and Performing Arts High School in south St. Louis occurred here at home, in our own backyard, taking the lives of three people and injuring several others. The pain and trauma that accompanies an event such as this is felt far and wide. We offer our deepest sympathies and heartfelt prayers to the victims, families and loved ones impacted.
As we process this senseless act of violence and grieve with the families of Central Visual and Performing Arts High School, our school community paused to connect in prayer prior to the end of the school day. Additionally, our Counseling department and Campus Ministry team are ready to provide support, and our Chapel is always open for anyone seeking a silent place to pray and reflect. All teachers, coaches, staff, and administrators are here to provide support to our students as well as our parents/guardians.
Here is the prayer that we shared as a school community:
Let us Remember that we are in the Holy Presence of God.
Dear God, today we are sad, we are angry, we are discouraged, we are afraid… or maybe we feel nothing at all. And yet we know that we are always in your holy presence and in your loving care. As we confront the reality of violence and suffering in our community, we pray first and foremost for the Central Visual & Performing Arts High School community, and especially for those victims who lost their lives. We pray, too, for the recovery of those injured, either physically or emotionally, and we give thanks for the quick actions of teachers, staff, and law enforcement officers in preventing further loss of life. God, you commanded us to love you and to love our neighbor. And so with confidence we seek the healing power of Christ. Help us to remember the loving support of all those who care for us. Inspire us to be brothers and sisters to one another and to witness to our community and to our world that God’s grace is alive and can overcome even the pain of suffering and death. We make this prayer in Jesus’ name. Amen.
The safety and care of our students remains our top priority. CBC has protocols and procedures in place to prevent violence and address situations resulting from violence. As recently as this August, our faculty and staff participated in active shooter training, and we conduct lock down drills each semester. We have a close relationship with Town & Country Police Department and we appreciate their partnership and support.
We share in the social and emotional well-being of our CBC community. We stand ready to assist parents or students in need. If you have questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact Jeff Myer, Dean of Students, at (314) 985-6031 or [email protected].
God bless,
CBC High School President