Gilroy Unified School District offering crisis counseling as school year starts

Classes start Wednesday at the Gilroy Unified School District, and the district is providing support to students as they return after the Gilroy Garlic Festival shooting.

GUSD is providing crisis counselors at all 15 schools from Wednesday, Aug.14, to Friday, Aug.16, as students return. Administrators ask parents to encourage children to take advantage of the services.

“… As we enter the 2019-2020 school year, we realize that different families have spoken to their children about the tragedies in Gilroy, El Paso and Dayton this last week in different ways. Inevitably, these conversations will take place at school sites, in passing conversations, on the playground or during extra-curricular activities and probably in classrooms,” GUSD said in a post on its website.

Administrators are encouraging parents to talk to their children about recent mass shootings and provide information about how GUSD is preparing for emergencies. Administrators say the GUSD team is working to ensure the safety and well-being of staff and students.

“In the days and weeks that come as our community continues through the healing process, we will continue to provide all available resources and support to all who we serve,” the district said.