Editor:
It is with a heavy heart that I communicate today. The event that occurred at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut is horrific, life-altering and unexplainable. The heartache is unimaginable and loss of life numbing. Your Ridgway Schools are prepared to assist others as we all cope with the grief of this terrible event.
Just as other incidents of senseless violence and murder have impacted our daily routines, this event underscores the need to remain vigilant and alert at all times. The realities of national events are all too close to home. We all get comfortable in the warm embrace a small school provides. It is that comfort that I ask for you to look to in the weeks to come. We do not take your confidences lightly and aim to keep your trust by supporting our students, staff and families through the aftermath of this shocking event.
Ridgway School District and the law enforcement community have plans of action for a variety of tragic events that could occur. Critical Response Plans exist and are reviewed to guide law enforcement, school staff and other local agencies in responding to situations that we hope never occur. We will be reviewing all of these plans in detail over the next several weeks and ensure that staff and teachers are aware of district and local procedures.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families so deeply affected by these killings. This holiday season will be forever altered for the families of those killed. Please don’t hesitate to contact any of our school counselors should you feel your child is experiencing any anxieties about coming to school after this incident. Valene Baskfield, elementary counselor can be reached at 626.5468 ext. 1104. Rick Williams our secondary counselor can be reached at 626.5788 ext. 2303. Superintendent of Schools, Cheryl Gomez can be reached at our district office – 626.4456. We are here to support you, protect our children, and maintain a safe learning environment for children to learn, grow and thrive.
Blessings to you and yours,
- Cheryl A. Gomez
A Message From the Ridgway Superintendent of Schools
Dec 20, 2012 | 679 views | 0 
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SAFETY FIRST – Surrounded by students, Gov. Hickenlooper signed a bill into law at Ouray School on Thursday afternoon that seeks to enhance school safety across Colorado by providing support at the state level to hire more school resource officers. (Photo by Samantha Wright)
RATS’ NEST – A rack of demo bikes at last year’s Ridgway Area Trails (RAT) Festival in Hartwell Park. This year’s 3rd annual will again feature trail building and skills clinics, along with a new Friday beer-and-shorts film night at the Sherbino Theater. (Courtesy photo)
VOLUNTEER Linda Granzow worked twine through spent round casings at the Welcome Home Montrose Warrior Resource Center last week. (Photo by William Woody)
WARRIOR WIND CHIMES – Welcome Home Montrose staff Emily Smith painted ceramic part of wind chimes at the Welcome Home Montrose Warrior Resource Center last week. (Photo by William Woody)
BACK HOME IN TELLURIDE – members of Telluride’s Volunteer Fire Department helped move the Galloping Goose No. 4 back to its home next to the San Miguel County Courthouse on May 16. The railbus spent the last four years in Ridgway while it was refurbished. (Photo by Brett Schreckengost)
ROBERT JUSTIS (Courtesy photo)
