Showing of "Sandy Hook Promise" School Shooting PSA in Cranston Schools Stirs Controversy

Showing of "Sandy Hook Promise" School Shooting PSA in Cranston Schools Stirs Controversy

The showing of the Sandy Hook Promise “Back-to-School Essentials” PSA in Cranston Schools has drawn concern from parents.

A number of parents are saying that the graphic nature of the video should have been disclosed ahead of time to students and families.

See Video Below — GRAPHIC CONTENT WARNING

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The school-based training program is run by the Cranston Police Department.

Other parents, meanwhile, have defended the Cranston Police for showing the video, saying the depiction of students trying to protect themselves against an unseen shooter at their school is a reality that students and schools need to face. 

One parent, who requested for confidentiality reasons not to be identified due to her child’s health condition, said the following. 

“None of the parents can get a straight answer from the superintendent or the school department as far as why we weren’t asked to watch the video first and then either give consent or speak to our child about the video or even opting our children out of them watching this video,” she said. “My son suffers from severe anxiety.”

The debate, which has occurred in part on social media in a Cranston parents’ group, is taking place as another school shooting occurred Thursday at Saugus High School in California, in which a 16-year-old girl and a 14-year-old boy were killed. 

Students Mental Health in Question

Sandy Hook Promise, which was established in the wake of the 2012 school shooting in Newtown, Connecticut, says its mission is to “create a culture engaged in preventing shootings, violence, and other harmful acts in schools.”

“Sandy Hook Promise is a moderate, above-the-politics organization that supports sensible program and policy solutions that address the ‘human side’ of gun violence by preventing individuals from ever getting to the point of picking up a firearm to hurt themselves or others,” the group states. “Our words, actions, and impact nationwide are intended to honor all victims of gun violence by turning our tragedy into a moment of transformation.”

The “back-to-school” essentials public service announcement on Sandy Hook’s YouTube page comes with the following disclaimer. 

“Please note that this PSA contains graphic content related to school shootings that may be upsetting to some viewers. If you feel that this subject matter may be too difficult for you, you may choose not to watch this video.”

“It’s back to school time and you know that means. School shootings are preventable when you know the signs,” writes Sandy Hook Promise at the end of the video. 

Parents say that the video was shown at several schools — including for middle schoolers at Park View Middle School  — and that students who have anxiety issues were adversely impacted by seeing the video.

Other parents have questioned how the video would "help with training."

Superintendent Jeannine Nota-Masse did not respond to phone calls or emails on Thursday.

“We Will Issue Disclaimer Moving Forward,” Says Police Chief 

Cranston Police Chief Michael Winquist told GoLocalProv that he hadn’t heard that numerous parents were raising issues about the video. 

The Cranston Police are responsible for the ALICE training — which stands for alert, lockdown, inform, counter, and evacuate — in the schools.

“I heard that one particular person was raising concerns,” said Winquist, who said the Sandy Hook Promise video has been endorsed by education professionals. 

“We showed the video as part of the curriculum of ALICE training. It's probably been shown well over 1,000 times,” said Winquist. 

“It’s dramatic,” said Winquest.  “But it’s meant to be dramatic -- but no more than any other video [depicting the horrors] of texting and driving, or drinking and driving. The student has the ability to step out of the room.”

“We can’t shelter kids. The reality is we have to prepare kids,” said Winquist. “We try not to sugar coat it. It’s scary out there.”

Winquist noted that families have the ability at the beginning of the year to opt of out ALICE training, and that based on recent video feedback, that Cranston police will take extra steps.

“I spoke with [school resource officers] and in the future, we’ve discussed providing a disclaimer that [the PSA] is graphic and students can step out beforehand if they choose,” said Winqust.