Care for students, staff and community became the top priority last week for Foothills School Division after one of its own was killed at the biggest mass shooting in U.S. history.
Tara Roe, 34, was one of 59 people, including four Canadians, killed when a gunman opened fire on innocent country music fans at the Route 91 Harvest Music Festival in Las Vegas Oct. 1.
“Tara was an educational assistant at Percy Pegler last year and this year at Big Rock,” said Lorriann Salmon, the division’s director of inclusive learning. “We knew the staff at both schools would be impacted.
“We also recognized her children were in our system, so those classrooms at those schools would be impacted.”
Roe had two elementary-school aged children attending Okotoks public schools.
The division’s critical response team was sent to schools to help staff and students.
“Some of the pieces we put in for the staff included information on how do you to talk to kids about it,” Salmon said.
“Obviously the classes that Tara was in and supported were more affected. The kids who were in the same class as Tara’s kids were more impacted as well.
“We provided some extra measures and support for those classes.”
Staff members at Foothills schools were facing an emotional dilemma. Not only did they have to deal with losing a co-worker and friend, but they had to be rock-solid in comforting young students. Substitute teachers were provided for teachers at their respective schools if they were in need of some counselling.
“Our counsellors were available throughout the first day and then school-based counsellors and the rest of our counsellors were on call after that,” Salmon said. “But we always had counsellors in the building (last week) to offer support to staff and students.”
Salmon was proud of the efforts of Foothills staff in responding to the tragedy.
“They have their own emotions most definitely, but they very much had to be supportive of the kids,” Salmon said. “The teachers were able to put their energy into the students’ care… the teachers wanted to be there with their kids and they did an amazing job.”
She said teachers did not hesitate to ask for guidance on how to handle the students’ needs.
“They collaborated with the counsellors. It was a team approach in supporting one another in ensuring the kids were well supported,” she said.
She said teachers made sure that the students felt safe.
“They just gave their time to listen to the students concerns and provide that truly safe-and-caring attitude that is provided in schools,” she said.
The tragedy was further evidence the division’s community is a supportive one.
“We had some parents coming in needing some support as well,” Salmon said.
She added the division has reached out to other support areas to help families.
Additional support is being offered to help families.
Oilers tribute
The Okotoks Oilers will pay tribute to Roe at the Tara Roe Memorial Game on Oct. 13 when they host the Fort McMurray Oil Barons at 7 p.m.
Proceeds from the purple ticket sales will be donated to the Roe family in the wake of Tara Roe’s tragic passing.
To purchase tickets go to the Oilers ticket office or contact Dawn LeMaistre at [email protected] or at 403-998-1657.
Foothills School Division is working with Alberta Health Services to help those impacted by the Las Vegas tragedy.
• Should families or individuals need immediate social-emotional or mental health supports call 403-266-4357 and ask for the Mobile Response Team. • For counseling services or consultation call the Okotoks intake line at 1-877-652-4700. An intake worker will set up an appointment and/or direct you to immediate support if it's needed in the moment.
