Dear Wildcat Nation,
I want to sincerely thank our staff, students, and families for a safe and successful return to our elementary and middle school buildings today. The smiles and hugs were abundant as we reunited. Our students and staff were enjoying the company of Arctic, Scout, and other therapy dogs across the district. As we continue to grieve and heal after the horrific events of last week, getting back into our educational routines and being together in the schools again is a critical component. Today, attendance was 83% across our buildings, a huge success and statement given what we are going through. Thank you for your trust and support.
I want to personally thank our amazing team and entire school community, including local businesses, for rallying around our safe and soft reopening. Our local law enforcement and our private security firm will maintain a strong presence at our buildings. We owe them and all our first responders a huge debt of gratitude. A special thank you to those servicemen and women from the Selfridge Air Force Base who selflessly volunteered today in our buildings.
Wildcats, being strong means reaching out for help to heal. Counseling services continue to be available for staff, students and others in the community. Oakland Community Health Network has been supporting our district daily since the tragic event occurred by providing trauma-trained clinical professionals to serve our community.
We plan to provide two additional community grief counseling opportunities in the days ahead. These opportunities are intended to respond to immediate needs.
- Sunday, December 12, 2021 at Oxford Elementary School from 12-3 pm
- Wednesday, December 15, 2021 at Oxford Elementary School from 5-7 pm
If you feel you or your child is now in need of long term, ongoing mental health support, you have three options:
- Work with your private insurance to find a provider
- Call the Resource and Crisis Helplines 1.800.231.1127 or MiCal 1.844.446.4225 to set-up support
- Call this non-emergency number 1.248.464.6363 to set up support
Additionally, a mental health needs survey will be sent out to the community soon to help understand future needs. Please be on the lookout for that as your input is important to us.
We so appreciate all of you for making today a success. We have a long journey ahead and we should feel proud we took this important step together today. Please keep the families and victims of last week’s tragedy in your thoughts and prayers.
OxfordStrOng,
Superintendent Throne