USD 418 Mounts District-Wide Response to Stryker Tragedy
Crisis team met within hours; outside counselors, grief resources and a parents workshop followed
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Sign up freeMCPHERSON, Kan. — McPherson USD 418's crisis team began meeting on the afternoon of Oct. 17, hours after the Stryker soccer tragedy, and continued Oct. 18 to coordinate the district's response, Superintendent Cody Rierson said.
The team includes administrators, social workers, counselors and advocates. Staff met in every building, and parents and guardians received information about available resources.
The district has canceled classes Monday, Oct. 26, the day of Cole Adrian’s funeral, because staffing shortages would have prevented it from operating its buildings safely, Rierson said.
"The decision was straightforward: We would not have had enough staff to operate our buildings adequately and safely," Rierson said. "Many of our schools were extremely close to the situation. This was a time when we needed to ask for grace and support from our parents and community."
Although classes are canceled, after-school activities may still take place.
Prairie View increased its support in district schools and provided grief resources for families. The ESSDACK Consortium Crisis Team initially sent about 10 school employees from other districts to assist USD 418.
McPherson Psychological Associates offered walk-in appointments, sent personnel into schools and scheduled a grieving parents workshop from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday at the Cedars Event Center.
"We are here for you, and we love you," Rierson said. "Our primary focus is taking care of our own: our students, staff, and community. We are all part of the Bullpup family, and we will work through the healing process together."
Teachers and staff are receiving a framework to help students process the tragedy, while counselors, social workers, advocates, administrators and Prairie View remain available to provide guidance. Rierson said educators' relationships with students will be central to the district's response.
"This is going to be a process," Rierson said. "There is still considerable healing ahead of us on many levels. Our crisis team will continue to monitor the needs of our students, employees, and families and expand our response as those needs evolve."
Rierson said the tragedy has devastated students, employees and families across the district, but the community's response has demonstrated its commitment to those affected.
"This tragedy has been devastating to our Bullpup family," Rierson said. "In the wake of so much loss, it has been remarkable to see the outpouring of love and support for our families. The McPherson community has stepped up in a significant way."
"Everyone grieves and heals at different speeds and in different ways," Rierson said. "Our USD 418 staff will meet students and families where they are. Moving forward will require collaboration, trust, grace, and time, and we are prepared to walk together."
Citizen Journal is keeping a live-updated list of community fundraisers for families affected by the Stryker tragedy here.
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