THEY’RE DOING ALL THEY CAN. GUYS. THAT’S RIGHT. ONE STUDENT DIED BY SUICIDE THIS WEEK HERE AT MUSTANG. AND ANOTHER ATTEMPTED SUICIDE HERE AT THE HIGH SCHOOL. BUT TODAY THE PRINCIPAL TOLD PARENTS THE DISTRICT IS HURTING. BUT HELP IS AVAILABLE. MUSTANG PUBLIC SCHOOLS HAS SENT FIVE LETTERS TO PARENTS IN 48 HOURS EACH, WITH MORE TRAGIC INFORMATION. THE FIRST NEWS OF AN ATTEMPTED SUICIDE ON SCHOOL GROUNDS. ANOTHER EMAIL WENT OUT TO FAMILIES THE FOLLOWING DAY ANNOUNCING THE DEATH OF A STUDENT. OKLAHOMA CITY POLICE CONFIRMED A KOCO. IT WAS A SUICIDE. YET ANOTHER ALERTED PARENTS OF A FAKE THREAT CIRCULATING SOCIAL MEDIA. AND THEN TODAY, MUSTANG HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL DOCTOR KATHY KNOWLES TOLD PARENTS STAFF IS WORKING ON THE PROBLEMS. THEY’RE URGING HOMELAND SECURITY TO STEP IN TO TAKE DOWN A SITE THEY SAY IS SPREADING HATE AND MISINFORMATION. THEY SAY THEY FOUND THE STUDENTS BEHIND THAT SITE AND WILL PUNISH THEM. THEY ALSO PROMISED THEY’RE WORKING ON A PLAN TO EDUCATE STUDENTS ABOUT THE DANGERS OF SOCIAL MEDIA AND CYBER BULLYING. THE DISTRICT SAYS THE FBI AND OSBI DETERMINED NO CREDIBLE THREATS EXISTED IN THE DISTRICT. AND MUSTANG PUBLIC SCHOOLS SAYS THEY HAVE AND WILL CONTINUE TO HAVE RESOURCES AVAILABLE ON SITE FOR STUDENTS AND STAFF. BUT WE ALSO WANT TO REMIND YOU IF YOU OR ANYONE YOU KNOW IS STRUGGLING, WE WANT TO REMIND YOU OF THAT NATIONAL SUICIDE PREVENTION HOTLINE. IT IS 988. YOU CAN TEXT OR CALL IT REPORTIN
Mustang superintendent sends message to school community after traumatic week
On Sunday, Superintendent Charles Bradley of Mustang Public Schools reached out to the school community after one student died by suicide and another attempted suicide at school.
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Updated: 2:35 PM CST Feb 4, 2024
Mustang's superintendent sent a message to the school community after a traumatic week.| RELATED VIDEO ABOVE | Oklahoma school district works to stop cyberbullying after traumatic weekOn Sunday, Superintendent Charles Bradley of Mustang Public Schools reached out to the school community after one student died by suicide and another attempted suicide at school. In the message, Bradley said, "Our hearts continue to be heavy as we process the twin tragedies of last week at Mustang High School and see the aftermath of a grieving school community."The release went on to say, "In that vein, I want to say that as a father and Superintendent, I am very proud of our high school students, staff, administration, and families. Last week, I personally saw the Mustang community rally around our high school and support us as we grieved the injury of one student and the loss of another."Get the latest news stories of interest by clicking here.Additionally, Bradley encouraged parents to have critical conversations with their child or children."I have found that asking open-ended questions such as 'What happened at school today,' 'Did anything negative happen today,' or even 'What was the best/worst part of your day today,' can start to open the lines of communication. Talking does not solve all problems, but we are even more limited in our ability to help without talking," he said. This week, the district will be meeting with the student development department of the Oklahoma State Department of Education to identify resources and plan their next steps while also expanding efforts to help prevent and deal with tragedies. The Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services will be involved after having offered resources and assistance. >> Download the KOCO 5 AppThe district will also be meeting with state lawmakers to evaluate the legal ramifications of acts such as cyberbullying. "As we move through this difficult time, please keep our students, staff, and families in your thoughts and prayers. Our school community is hurting, and we will continue to do all we can to support you — you are loved, appreciated, and you are enough," Bradley said.MPS provided a link to their website dedicated to bullying prevention that can be found here.The district also listed the following resources: National Association of School Psychologists— www.nasponline.org/resources/crisis_safety/index.aspx National Parent Hotline: 1-855-427-2736 Childhelp Hotline: 1-800-4-A-Child 988 211 Behavioral Health Access and Crisis Line: 1-888-724-7240 (Hearing Impaired TTY: 619-641-6992) Professional counselors will answer your call and help you through a crisis. Counselors offer a broad range of services, including crisis and suicide intervention and referrals to appropriate mental health professionals or programs for face-to-face services. Assistance is available in Spanish and other languages, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 800-273-TALK (8255)Top HeadlinesFamilies honor Moore High School runners hit by drunk driver 4 years after deathsUSGS: 5.1-magnitude earthquake recorded near Prague and felt from all over the state'I need to get back to Jersey': Snooki from 'Jersey Shore' reacts to feeling 5.1-magnitude earthquake
MUSTANG, Okla. — Mustang's superintendent sent a message to the school community after a traumatic week.
| RELATED VIDEO ABOVE | Oklahoma school district works to stop cyberbullying after traumatic week
On Sunday, Superintendent Charles Bradley of Mustang Public Schools reached out to the school community after one student died by suicide and another attempted suicide at school. In the message, Bradley said, "Our hearts continue to be heavy as we process the twin tragedies of last week at Mustang High School and see the aftermath of a grieving school community."
The release went on to say, "In that vein, I want to say that as a father and Superintendent, I am very proud of our high school students, staff, administration, and families. Last week, I personally saw the Mustang community rally around our high school and support us as we grieved the injury of one student and the loss of another."
Get the latest news stories of interest by clicking here.
Additionally, Bradley encouraged parents to have critical conversations with their child or children.
"I have found that asking open-ended questions such as 'What happened at school today,' 'Did anything negative happen today,' or even 'What was the best/worst part of your day today,' can start to open the lines of communication. Talking does not solve all problems, but we are even more limited in our ability to help without talking," he said.
This week, the district will be meeting with the student development department of the Oklahoma State Department of Education to identify resources and plan their next steps while also expanding efforts to help prevent and deal with tragedies. The Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services will be involved after having offered resources and assistance.
>> Download the KOCO 5 App
The district will also be meeting with state lawmakers to evaluate the legal ramifications of acts such as cyberbullying.
"As we move through this difficult time, please keep our students, staff, and families in your thoughts and prayers. Our school community is hurting, and we will continue to do all we can to support you — you are loved, appreciated, and you are enough," Bradley said.
MPS provided a link to their website dedicated to bullying prevention that can be found here.
The district also listed the following resources:
- National Association of School Psychologists— www.nasponline.org/resources/crisis_safety/index.aspx
- National Parent Hotline: 1-855-427-2736
- Childhelp Hotline: 1-800-4-A-Child
- 988
- 211
- Behavioral Health Access and Crisis Line: 1-888-724-7240 (Hearing Impaired TTY: 619-641-6992) Professional counselors will answer your call and help you through a crisis. Counselors offer a broad range of services, including crisis and suicide intervention and referrals to appropriate mental health professionals or programs for face-to-face services. Assistance is available in Spanish and other languages, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 800-273-TALK (8255)
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