Key Takeaways
- On Thursday, Oct. 15, three students and one educator lost their lives to gun violence in an Oregon public school.
- BEA praises the response of local law enforcement and the Bend-LaPine School District.
- As the local and statewide union, BEA and OEA are here to offer support and resources to members impacted by this devastating tragedy.
The Bend Education Association, representing approximately 1,000 teachers and other certified educators in Bend-La Pine Schools, including at Silver Rail Elementary School, expressed heartbreak and solidarity with all impacted by today’s shooting.
We emphasize the need for privacy and continued support for affected students, families, and staff.
“Every day, families trust us with the people they love most. Our children, our students, are precious,” said Sarah Barclay, BEA President and kindergarten teacher. “What happened at Silver Rail today reaches deeply into our entire community. Our hearts are with everyone affected.”
“When violence happens in one of our schools, it reaches far beyond that building,” Barclay said. “It affects our families, our colleagues, and communities across our country. Every student and every person who works in our schools deserves to be safe.”
Barclay recognized the immediate response from local police and law enforcement agencies across the area, as well as the many Bend-La Pine Schools administrators and District Office staff who assisted at the reunification site.
“In an incredibly frightening moment, people came together to care for our children, families, and colleagues,” Barclay said. “That response reinforced how deeply we all love this community, and I am grateful to work beside these educators.”
BEA asks members of the public and the media to respect the privacy of students, families, and staff and to rely on official District and law enforcement communications for verified information about the incident.
OEA President Enrique Farrera comments from Bend: “We are heartbroken and devastated by the tragic shooting at Silver Rail Elementary in Bend. Our hearts are with the families grieving and those who have been injured. Our union is here to support every student, educator, school employee, and the community who are impacted by this horrific tragedy.”
Farrera continued “Schools should be the safest places in every community. Every student, educator and school employee deserves to learn and work without fear of violence. Our focus is to support the students, educators, and communities reeling from this loss.”
“The people affected will need care and support well beyond today,” Barclay said. “Every student and every person who works in our schools deserves to be safe. Our care for one another must continue in the days and weeks ahead.”
