After a Deadly Shooting, Stockton Schools Move Quickly to Assist Students

On November 29, a devastating tragedy unfolded at the Monkey Space banquet hall in Stockton, claiming the lives of three children aged 8 to 14 and a 21-year-old during a birthday celebration. Among the victims was 8-year-old Journey Rose Guerrero, a student in the Stockton Unified School District. In light of this profound loss, the district has activated its crisis response team throughout 55 schools. This initiative aims to bolster counseling services by integrating psychologists and mental health professionals who can support students grappling with the effects of this heartbreaking event. Dr. Michelle Rodriguez, the Superintendent of SUSD, extended her heartfelt sympathies to Journey's family and reaffirmed their dedication to community support. Established in 2018, the Mental Health and Behavior Support team focuses on mitigating emotional and behavioral issues through trauma-informed strategies. Furthermore, Stockton Unified has communicated with around 42,000 parents, offering essential resources for discussion and healing. Sharee Wilburn-Mansaray, a concerned parent, called for greater clarity and proactive measures to ensure all students feel safe voicing their emotions.