School Violence Archives - Uvalde Hesperian

Uvalde Shooter’s cousin arrested for alledged threats of gun violence against San Antonio school

admin — Tue, 08 Aug 2023 13:48:05 +0000

Report by Michael Robinson | Uvalde Hesperian

A 17-year-old boy claiming to be the cousin of the Uvalde school shooter was arrested and charged with making terroristic threats against an Edgewood ISD school in San Antonio according to a report on Monday, August 7th by News4 San Antonio

Image credit: Edgewood ISD

A News 4 San Antonio Report stated, “According to court documents, the teen’s mother reported that the suspect was planning to ‘do the same thing’ as his cousin.” “The suspect had made these statements to his sister, who notified their mother, who called the police.”

The report also stated the suspect was on probation and was intoxicated when he was overheard making the threats.

Edgewood ISD is located on the west side of San Antonio.

Texas State Senator Roland Gutierrez issued the following statement:

“When this family saw something, they said something. And law enforcement listened and took this threat seriously. Thankfully, a few individuals prevented a disaster. I’m glad the Uvalde community didn’t see another horror play out in Texas. But it shouldn’t take an overheard conversation or luck. Our laws should protect us, not fortune. That is not safety we can count on. Had this young man been just one year older, he would have been able to purchase an AR-15 anywhere in Texas.”

The post Uvalde Shooter’s cousin arrested for alledged threats of gun violence against San Antonio school appeared first on Uvalde Hesperian.

THOUGHTS & PRAYERS: One Year Later

admin — Tue, 16 May 2023 19:55:19 +0000

Diana Olvedo-Karau

It was early after the Robb School massacre on May 24, 2022 that what can only be characterized as click bait began to appear across social media platforms, on tee shirts, and in political speeches. The words “ THOUGHTS & PRAYERS” with a line across them signifying that the words are meaningless and of no effect.

These kind of pithy slogans will always be used by movements of any sort to grab peoples attention. Slogans that sensationalize, offend, and challenge one’s belief systems. Slogans that are meant to drive a movement and to give it momentum so that the movement will not die.

This particular slogan first appeared on the landscape of Uvalde, Texas during The Unheard Voices March & Rally held in July 10, 2022. The slogan being the brain child of Dr. Roy Guerrero, founder of the Uvalde Strong for Gun Safety Facebook group, and printed on bright orange T-shirts for people to wear during the march. The slogan continues to be used by many, but for some reason Dr. Guerrero has disappeared from the conversation.

In recent months, the slogan has been the subject of many an editorial, spoken from the mouth of many a politician and used as a hashtag on social media. Like many things that have transpired since May 24, 2022 this slogan also causes me to wonder why people of faith would believe that thoughts and prayers sincerely offered would be of no effect.

The first anniversary of this tragic event is upon us and Uvalde continues to be divided. Many people continue to walk on eggshells unsure of what to do or what to say, for fear of offending. Because of this great divide there does not appear to be a coordinated community wide effort to commemorate May 24th, but several smaller and individualized events appear to have been planned. The words “thoughts and prayers” will be at the center of many of these commemorating events, and one side will utter them as a whipping stick, and the other will utter them in the fervent belief that they have the power to heal and strengthen our community.

Our family and many of our friends lift up thoughts and prayers for the victims of May 24th and their families. And we do so knowing that God is still in control and that his plan is perfect. And we thank the Lord for the life of the 21 and pray that God gives us eyes to see his plan and his purpose for their lives and ours.

The post THOUGHTS & PRAYERS: One Year Later appeared first on Uvalde Hesperian.

Uvalde Students demonstrate on Downtown Plaza during National Walk Out against gun violence

admin — Thu, 06 Apr 2023 13:13:12 +0000

Headline Picture Credit: Jennifer Gilliland

Students assemble on town plaza during afternoon Walk Out as part of a nationwide protest against gun violence

Report By Jennifer Gilliland- At approximately noon today several UCISD students participated in a walk out. The event was organized by a group of high school students determined to make changes regarding gun laws as well as more safety measures in our school. The students ‘walked from the high school, junior high, and Uvalde Elementary down Getty to the Plaza where they peacefully protested till 5 PM then walked to Robb.

Report by Michael Robinson: The Uvalde CISD School District sent out a statement to parents early Wednesday morning setting the rules and parameters for allowing students to participate in the larger National Student Walkout Protesting Gun Violence.

According to the statement, the district would allow for its students to demonstrate outside within the confines of the school grounds from Noon to 1 PM. At noon,however, the students started walking off the Morales Jr. High and Uvalde High School campuses and eventually climbed over fences and through the Uvalde High School Tennis court area to take their signs and actually walk beyond school grounds. About 75 to 100 students marched from the campuses towards the Uvalde Downtown area where they assembled on the Uvalde Downtown Plaza at 1 PM.

School District Police Chief Josh Gutierrez and another Uvalde CID Resource officer followed the students. According to Diana Olvedo-Karau who spoke with Gutierrez. She was told by Gutierrez that he followed the students to ensure their safety off campus.

The post Uvalde Students demonstrate on Downtown Plaza during National Walk Out against gun violence appeared first on Uvalde Hesperian.

The Uvalde Foundation For Kids Meets With Newport News, Virginia Public Schools Mental Health Team Following School Shooting- Releases Update

admin — Wed, 25 Jan 2023 14:50:53 +0000

Press Release:

Following An Extensive Meeting Tuesday Morning With Mental Health Staff At Richneck Elementary School & The Newport News Public School District, The Uvalde Foundation For Kids Has Released The Following Statement:

“The Uvalde Foundation For Kids, Is Greatly Encouraged Following Today’s Meeting With NNPS Mental Health Staff & Administrators, Following The Recent Shooting At Richneck Elementary School Of Teacher, Abby Zwerner.

We Are Now Confident In The District’s Awareness Of The Daunting Challenge Their School Community Faces, Following Recent Events; And In Their Overall Focus On Providing Current & Ongoing Mental Health Crisis Support To Students, Staff & Family Members As Well As Ensuring The Safety Of Their Schools.

As A Result Of This Meeting, Our Foundation Is Committed To An Ongoing Collaboration With NNPS In Providing Safety Training Resources, Crisis Response Training & Mental Health Care For Students, Faculty & The Greater School Community. This, In Addition To Current & Developing Internal School Programming, Will Include Ongoing 24 Hour Online & Phone Professional Mental Health Support For Students, Staff & Community Members; As Well As Adjustments To Current School Safety, Student Behavior Response Protocols & Overall Mental Health Provisions.

Specific Programs Are Currently In Place By NNPS; With Additional Resources Being Provided By The Foundation, To Ensure School, Parent, Teacher & Community Concerns Are Addressed & Implemented Immediately In These Processes.

T he Uvalde Foundation For Kids Continues To Extend Its Heartfelt Empathies & Encouragement To The Entire NNPS School Community – As Together, Our Work To End School Violence Continues In Newport News & On Campuses Across The Nation.”

The Uvalde Foundation For Kids

888 685 8464

www.theuvaldefoundation.com

“OUT OF TRAGEDY – HOPE”

The post The Uvalde Foundation For Kids Meets With Newport News, Virginia Public Schools Mental Health Team Following School Shooting- Releases Update appeared first on Uvalde Hesperian.

Run for their Lives Runners from Uvalde complete 300 mile journey from Houston earlier than expected

admin — Sun, 08 Jan 2023 21:34:05 +0000

According to the Travis Manion Website it states: “On January 6-8 2023, Run For Their Lives, a relay team this year (5 runners) will be stepping off at 0600 from VFW Post 8790 Houston, TX to City of Uvalde Town Square in Uvalde, TX to raise PTSD Awareness. The RFTL Team will run 300+ miles, placing a flag every mile along I-10. We will honor a veteran/1st responders who lost their lives due to PTSD and honoring those veterans struggling with PTSD/mental health. We will also honor those lives lost at the UVALDE school shooting.
The 2023 Run For Their Lives team will fundraise to help the Uvalde community. There is a current need to support organizations that assist families that lost a child and are having a hard time coping or children who are suffering with coping with ptsd due to the tragic circumstances that occurred at Robb Elementary.

“We are soaking in the last 21 miles with lots of emotions. So we will still be arriving at town square at 4pm then finishing at American Legion.” Lupita Hernandez said.

The post Run for their Lives Runners from Uvalde complete 300 mile journey from Houston earlier than expected appeared first on Uvalde Hesperian.

San Antonio Educator & Community Leader To Take The Helm Of National Nonprofit – Dedicated To Ending School Violence.

admin — Wed, 23 Nov 2022 14:38:07 +0000

The Uvalde Foundation For Kids, A 501c(3) Nonprofit Charity Organization, Born Out Of The Robb Elementary School Shooting In Uvalde, Texas Earlier This Year; Announced Early Wednesday Morning The Appointment Of Its New President, Dr. Michael “TRAVIS” Stephens. In An Official Statement By Founder, Mr. Daniel “Bodhi,” Chapin; Dr Stevens Will Be Leading The Foundation Into Its Next Stage Of National Program Reach & Development. Chapin, Will Now Serve As National Director. In The Release, Chapin That This New Direction In Leadership Will Allow The Foundation To Meet It’s Increasing National Growth & Demand For Services.

Dr. Stevens, With A Dedicated Heart For Education & Youth, Currently Is In His 12th Year In Education, Working As A Superintendent Of A Private School System. During His Education Tenure, Dr Stevens Has Served As A public high school ELA teacher, an Instructional Coach and at the Adult Education level as a Language Arts Instructor and an Instructional Coach.

Dr. Stevens Currently Holds A Bachelor’s Degree in English, a Master’s degree in Education/Teacher Leadership, a Doctorate Degree in Education/Curriculum and Instruction And Is Both A Certified Teacher & Former Candidate For The Texas State Board Of Education.

Over the past 16 years, Dr. Stevens, Also A Proud Father & Husband, Has Served As A Licensed Minister In The Roles of Youth Pastor, College & Career Pastor, Jr. High Pastor & Lay Minister. Recently elected as the Regional Director of Children’s Ministry, Overseeing The Children’s Ministries of Hundreds of UPC churches across South Texas.

The Uvalde Foundation For Kids

888 685 8464

www.theuvaldefoundation.com

#theuvaldefoundationforkids

The post San Antonio Educator & Community Leader To Take The Helm Of National Nonprofit – Dedicated To Ending School Violence. appeared first on Uvalde Hesperian.

Uvalde Foundation for Kids accepting nominations for 1st Annual Hero Grant Recipient

admin — Tue, 22 Nov 2022 14:34:49 +0000

In August 2022, The Uvalde Foundation For Kids Began Its STUDENT HERO SCHOLARSHIP; granted twice p/calender year for deserving students; selected from across the nation; who have overcome extreme violent hardships or circumstances. We wish to recognize outstanding, “Heroes,” amongst our students and enable them to further their education and their life journeys.

We Continue Accepting Applications For This Special Award! To Be Considered End, Please Send A Brief Story On Your Child Nominee to: admin@theuvaldefoundation.com.

Include In Your Introduction, How & Why You Feel The Child Deserves This Scholarship! Include Fun Details! LIFE Details! HAPPY, HOPEFUL & SAD! We Want To Hear Them All! ALL NOMINEES WILL BE CONTACTED for The Interview Process With The Scholarship Award Vetted By Select Board.

The Uvalde Foundation For Kids
888 685 8464
www.theuvaldefoundation.com

A 501c(3) Nonprofit Organization Dedicated To Ending ALL FORMS of School Violence Across The Nation & Enriching The Future Of Our Students – One Life At A Time.

The acts of violence in our nations schools & amongst our youth is nothing short of a national recurring tragedy! Our mission, as a 501c(3) nonprofit organization – To create in school & community programs to aggressively and creatively address & end such violence.

UNIQUELY, our programs are multi-faceted; addressing & actively preventing; not merely obvious aggressive acts of violence, such as occurred that tragic May 2022 morning in Uvalde, Texas, but also the “Symptoms,’ the Mental & Cultural, not so easy to identify forms of violence, plaguing our kids across school campuses throughout this nation.

The very nature & focus of our work at the Uvalde Foundation For Kids, is to be PROACTIVE as opposed to REACTIVE in addressing the violence disrupting the lives of our Nation’s students & communities. Our Finances are entrusted to us & utilized toward such programs. We Would Rather Utilize Our Financials & Team to PREVENT NOT RESPOND TO VIOLENCE!

HENCE, The Uvalde Foundation For Kids, works to end ALL forms of physical, mental or cultural forms of violence on our nations campus communities! We are developing programs across the nation; at NO COST.

– Seeking to enable stronger on and off site school security measures to protect students; we have developed our, ‘RECOGNIZE, INTERVENE & PREVENT,” school safety training program
– National Team of Motivational Speakers, coupled with our unique, in-school, “Student to Student,” support groups.
– STOPNOW Volunteer School Patrol Teams; throughout the nation, dedicated to stopping potential violence from ever reaching our schools & students.

– “Eden’s Angels,” Internet Watchdog Group Is A Dedicated Team, Operating 24 Hours DAILY; focused on identifying & reporting any potential threats of violence against students/schools as posted on the world wide web. Many of our volunteers are teens themselves with special access to social media and other youth relevant sites.
– 24 HOUR Antiviolence, Crisis & TEEN TALK Line
– EDEN’S CRY Antibullying Program designed to engage students themselves in preventing another form of Violence – Bullying.

Until our students can simply be students again, there is much work for us to do! We would love for you to get involved with The Uvalde Foundation For Kids. We depend on your support and partnership in order to improve lives and make the world a better place for generations to come.

The post Uvalde Foundation for Kids accepting nominations for 1st Annual Hero Grant Recipient appeared first on Uvalde Hesperian.

School Violence Archives - Uvalde Hesperian

Uvalde Shooter’s cousin arrested for alledged threats of gun violence against San Antonio school

The report also stated the suspect was on probation and was intoxicated when he was overheard making the threats.

THOUGHTS & PRAYERS: One Year Later

Commentary by Diana Olvedo-Karau

Uvalde Students demonstrate on Downtown Plaza during National Walk Out against gun violence

The last student Walk Out occurred over 50 years ago in the spring of 1970 over the firing of Hispanic Teacher Josue Garza and protests calling for equal rights for Hispanic community

Uvalde CISD Superintendent Patterson looks on as students protest on the Plaza

The Uvalde Foundation For Kids Meets With Newport News, Virginia Public Schools Mental Health Team Following School Shooting- Releases Update

January 24, 2023 12:06pm(CST)

Run for their Lives Runners from Uvalde complete 300 mile journey from Houston earlier than expected

San Antonio Educator & Community Leader To Take The Helm Of National Nonprofit – Dedicated To Ending School Violence.

For Immediate Release- November 23rd, 2022

Uvalde Foundation for Kids accepting nominations for 1st Annual Hero Grant Recipient

Nominations NOW Being Accepted! The Uvalde Foundation For Kids 1st Annual HERO GRANT RECIPIENT WILL BE ANNOUNCED CHRISTMAS Morning, 2022!

About the Uvalde Foundation for Kids

A 501c(3) Nonprofit Organization Dedicated To Ending ALL FORMS of School Violence Across The Nation & Enriching The Future Of Our Students – One Life At A Time.