To the St. Johns County School Board, Administration, Sheriff's Department and Florida State Legislature:

As concerned members of the community, it has come to our attention that St. John’s County School District (SJCSD) has mandated all students to watch an “Active Shooter” video in response to the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Act. Furthermore, communication from St. Johns County Sheriff's Office (SJSO) and SJCSD administration has indicated that these videos will not be made available for parents to watch nor will parents be notified when these videos will be shown.

The option to be 100% involved in what our children are seeing, reading and learning is essential so that we can, as a parents and guardians of their mental, emotional AND physical health, be aware and prepared with answers, information and support as needed. We understand that these terrifying events are a new reality to all of our daily lives. We are advocates for safety, security and awareness. At the same time, please let it be known that we do not relinquish our ability to make decisions for our children to St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office or St. Johns County School District. 

We object to the decisions made by SJCSD and SJSO for the following reasons:

1. The videos are not a requirement of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Act.
2. Parents must have the opportunity to decide whether the videos are beneficial to their children.
3. It is unacceptable to violate the trust between parent and child. By refusing parents the opportunity to pre-screen the videos you are:
a. Undermining and devaluing the parents’ innate knowledge of their children and ability to choose what is best for them,
b. Fostering a sense of distrust (encouraging the keeping of secrets) between child and parent which is, according to The Redwoods Institute, a grooming tactic for child abuse,
c. Preventing parents from reinforcing important safety protocols at home.
4. We believe that you can accomplish our shared goal of keeping our children safe without the potential impact of these videos.

We request modification to policies on this matter immediately by:
1. Calling for a public hearing to discuss current policies and necessary changes. This meeting must invite parents, teachers, child psychiatrists, child development specialists and concerned members of the community.

2. Providing parents the opportunity to screen the videos prior to showing them to children. 

3. Providing parents the opportunity to opt their child out of viewing videos. 

4. Providing alternative methods of preparation for children. These methods must be approved by parents, teachers, child psychiatrists, child development specialists and concerned members of the community.

Thank you for your prompt attention. As members of the community, tax payers and professionals, it’s important that we remember that we all work together, for each other and for the good of the whole. Decisions regarding our children cannot be made unilaterally and without insight from parents. We request the immediate opportunity to enact change.