Like the winter weather, thoughts and conversations have been swirling around us and throughout the country regarding the need for schools to identify and then act when one of our own students is in need.

Some may look to the awful school shooting tragedy in Florida, in which the teenage suspect is reported to have suffered from depression and previously exhibited warning signs, and wonder, "Why didn't someone catch that?"

My message today is not about casting blame or making an example of another school dealing with losses none ever should. Rather, my intention is to point out steps we are taking to improve the lives of our students. I also want to emphasize that we cannot do this ourselves. We rely on your help and are very appreciative for the support that already exists for OneMa1ze. We need to continue to partner with our supporters, local agencies, and community at large to further develop the resources, awareness, and advocacy that we need.

Even in cases when violence or threats to safety are not at play, student needs that go unaddressed can lead to a variety of problems and concerns, including those on the social-emotional scale or even simply preventing a student from finding happiness and achieving his or her full potential.

This is a responsibility that falls to any educator: Do we have students in our care who need help but do not want -- or know how -- to ask? What are we doing to fill those gaps, find those resources, and make lives better? How are we connecting with our students and building meaningful relationships with them?

We can't just teach them. We must reach them.

This is a conversation our district addresses through our Maize Way Character Education program and many nationally award-winning related efforts, including Capturing Kids Hearts, Second Step, and The Leader in Me.

But make no mistake: Maize USD 266 is not resting on our laurels or considering our work done. Earlier this school year, we assembled a OneMa1ze team of counselors, teachers, nurses, and administrators to review how we support our students and to find ways to do an even better job than we already are doing.

We are investing in student support and are looking to hire an interventionist at the elementary level to coordinate and facilitate student support efforts. We are adding counselors in two of our elementary schools where we have identified a need, with plans to expand counseling services at all elementary schools in the future. At the secondary level, we are adding a counselor at Maize South High School to address the growing student population. Additionally, we are in ongoing conversations with professionals and agencies outside of the district, including a social worker, therapist, drug counselor, and health professionals, to provide resources for students and their families.

I thank our parents and community members for your role in supporting our students. Just this month, for example, a local business donated valentines for our elementary school students whose families couldn't afford to purchase them for the Valentine's Day class party exchange. The donor told one of our administrators, "I was the kid who went without. I don't want that to happen to someone else." Many in our community this month have donated dresses, shoes, and other formal wear items to help make some of our students' prom dreams come true.

A recent inquiry into significant needs for a family spurred me to create a network of staff members and patrons who may be called upon when a situation warrants. A family of ours, after being homeless for several months, were able to move into housing but needed everything. One of our amazing principals was able to rally the troops and take care of many of the family's needs. It occurred to me that, with the connected and compassionate staff members, students, and parents in our OneMa1ze family, we can do even better. If you are interested in being a part of this network, which may be called upon to provide food, supplies, clothing, bedding, appliances, or services, please let me know by e-mailing me at [email protected].

As we continue to be aware and seek ways to care for our students, I am confident their futures -- and, in turn, ours -- will become that much brighter.

Sincerely,

Dr. Chad Higgins, Superintendent of Schools