regarding shootings at Santana High School

As an educator and a father, I was deeply saddened to hear of the shootings at Santana High School today. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families and friends at this time.

The Department of Education stands ready to assist in any appropriate way as the Santee community examines the circumstances of this terrible tragedy. We can provide resources to help with counseling and other services to help restore teaching and learning at the school.

I urge every parent and every student to listen closely to children who express concern, anger or fear concerning their school, their teachers and their classmates. I urge communities to be involved in the daily effort to keep schools safe. All Americans should be concerned that a tragedy like this can take place. We must all work together to do everything we can to prevent such tragedies from happening in the future.

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