Dear Students, Parents/Guardians, and Staff members,
No parent ever wants to receive the message that something terrible has happened to their child. During the holiday season, it seems to be even more of an injury to the soul as we are bombarded with images of family unity. Yesterday was defined by both a loss to our local community, as well as the news of another tragic school shooting, this time in Madison, Wisconsin.
North Adams Public Schools was notified that one of our alumni was tragically killed in a car collision while driving on the interstate in Florida. Alison Felix graduated from Drury High School in 2020. She was an active, well-known, and admired student during her high school days, and leaves her sister, a current Drury senior, and many staff and friends who are shocked and saddened by her loss. North Adams Public Schools mourns this young woman and wants to acknowledge this loss for her family and the community members who are impacted.
Across the country, another tragic school shooting took place in Madison, WI, that left two people dead and several others injured. I can recall back to the school shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School twelve years ago, when I was in my first year of superintendency. School shootings unfortunately are still very much part of our concerns and anxiety around school safety today, as much as they were in the immediate aftermath of the tragedy in Sandy Hook.
While there are no words that can truly bring comfort to the families, friends, and students who lost loved ones in both yesterday's car collision and shooting incident, I did want to provide our NAPS community with information about mental health support resources and the district’s emergency operating procedures. Our School Adjustment Counselors, the dedicated mental health professionals in each of our schools who support students, faculty, and staff, can be reached at:
Brayton Elementary School: bes.adjustmentconselors@napsk12.org
Colegrove Park Elementary School: ces.adjustmentcounselors@napsk12.org
Drury High School: dhs.adjustmentcounselors@napsk12.org
As we prepare for the coming December break, North Adams Public Schools wants to extend wishes for a healthy and safe participation in all the traditions and celebrations of the season and renewed hope for a return of light in the New Year.
Sincerely,
Barbara Malkas, Ed.D.