Fayetteville-Manlius CSD Community Members:
It is important that I take a moment to acknowledge the pain, grief, frustration and fear that many of us are experiencing following the horrifying act of terror that recently took place so close to our community.
This past weekend, a self-proclaimed white supremacist drove halfway across New York state to a predominantly Black neighborhood in Buffalo and opened fire at a Tops Friendly Market, killing 10 people and injuring three others. Eleven of the victims were Black, which was not a coincidence.
The mass shooting on Saturday was not the first such event in recent years in which a white gunman, who allegedly published a white supremacist manifesto online, was motivated by racial hatred. As we know, overtly racist gunmen recently targeted a Black church in South Carolina, a synagogue in Pittsburgh, and immigrants at a Walmart in El Paso.
As we mourn yet another devastating and deadly act, we must stand united with one another and work harder than ever to renounce racism, intolerance and hate. Most importantly, we must work together and continue our conversations around racial equity while removing barriers that contribute to systemic inequities.
We recognize that some children react to tragedies such as these right away, while others may show difficulty much later. How children react, including signs of distress, can also vary according to age. If you have questions or concerns about how to best support your child, please reach out to your child’s teacher, school counselor, or building principal.
Our thoughts and prayers remain with those affected by this senseless act of violence.
Warmest regards,
Craig J. Tice
F-M Superintendent of Schools