The St. Paul Public Schools community is recovering from a fatal stabbing at Harding High School on Friday, but the district is taking steps to keep students and staff safe.
school safety
In a letter to school district families and staff on Monday, SPPS Director of Security and Emergency Management Laura Olson said the district will work with police to increase security at five high schools. Including Harding.
Two St. Paul police officers will be stationed outside Central, Como Park, Harding, Humboldt and Washington high schools “for a short period of time,” Olson said. In addition, a third school support his liaison will join Harding’s existing security team.
The letter said the officers assigned to these schools have a track record of engaging with youth in the community and “may be familiar faces” to some.
“These five schools are currently acquiring these resources, but this is a fluid situation and
The ability to adjust as needed,” writes Olson. “We are working closely with her SPPD to determine what the long-term plan will look like.”
monday night all night
While communities grapple with public and school safety issues, many are mourning the death of 15-year-old Devin Scott, the victim of a fatal stabbing at Harding High School on Friday.
The St. Paul Educators’ Federation held a candlelight rally at the school at 6:00 pm Monday in the wake of Scott’s death. Scott was in the tenth grade, according to the teachers’ union.
Harding High School (KSTP) in St. Paul has a large police force.
RELATED: 15-year-old student stabbed to death at Harding High School.suspect in custody
“[Tonight is about] Being in this space together allows us to grieve in the moment and be with each other,” said Leah Vandason, president of the teachers’ union.
VanDasson believes the best way to address school safety concerns is to improve school resources.
“School safety is about early intervention, a fully staffed mental health support team, and recovery practices,” says VanDasson.
Harding students also attended the rally. Her classmate, Chaske Henry, was frustrated and said she didn’t feel safe at school.
“What happened here was really unfortunate,” Henry said. “Students lost their lives. It’s supposed to be a school environment. It has to be safe.”
Henry added: [school resource] cop and metal detector [at] our entrance. ”
While the community is processing, admins have canceled both Monday and Tuesday classes.
mental health after a violent event
Monday’s focus was on bringing the entire community into balance. Some of the people who teach in the district feel that without the support of the community, things will not improve.
“We do what we can, but we need community, the wider community,” said SPPS middle school teacher Erica Hunt. Get through it together while you can.
District officials say a crisis team of social workers is available for students.
RELATED: Effects of violent weekend linger in St. Paul
One licensed therapist said violence like stabbing can cause mental health conditions in all students there, and schools are often seen as safe places, with crime in the hallways. It states that watching tapes has a negative effect.
“When this happens, it affects my ability to focus and invest in my ability to interact with everyone because every interaction becomes a potential threat. Is this person going to hurt me?” Lamberth Fisher, Therapist at Christian Heart Counseling, says:
Experts say it’s important to address the problem at its root to stop unhealthy reactions before conflict ensues. Additionally, creating a space for children to talk about their feelings and making sure they feel they are being watched can help prevent these unhealthy and violent reactions from occurring.
next step
A spokesman for the Ramsay County Attorney’s Office said a decision to charge the 16-year-old student suspect in custody would not be made until Tuesday at the earliest.
5 EYEWITNESS NEWS will be able to learn more about the relationship of all parties if a formal complaint is filed. They could come on Tuesday.
Watch previous coverage by reporter Brittney Ermon in the video player below.
