As you may know, we have experienced the tragic loss of one of our parents, Elizabeth Cook, the mother of a child on each of our campuses. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Cook family and friends as they navigate this difficult situation.
Mrs. Cook’s passion for our school and community was unconditional. Over the past 12 years that her children attended our schools, she supported us in many ways, whether it was leading our Parent/Teacher organizations, serving as a substitute, volunteering for school committees, or just being at events. In our small, close-knit community, her loss is deeply felt.
Ballinger ISD has made the decision to give our students and staff the opportunity to show their respect to the family by attending Mrs. Cooks’ memorial services on Tuesday, February 20, 2024. Due to the number of people this involves we have made the following decisions:
- BISD will not have an official school day on February 20, 2024
- BISD campuses will be open to accept students that need a place to stay for the day. They will report at the start of the day and leave at the end of the day unless signed out by a parent.
- There will be planned activities for students during the day.
- Breakfast and Lunch will be served
- Buses will not run
It is important to note that, in the coming days and weeks, adults and children affected by this tragedy may experience reactions to trauma that are completely normal. These reactions may include difficulty with focus, mood swings, feeling tired, feeling irritable/angry, experiencing worry or fear, having nightmares, and having a need for space. If these reactions last longer than four weeks without improvement, this is the point at which mental health professionals typically recommend seeking help. There are a number of resources available for counseling services. If needed, please reach out to your child’s principal or campus counselor.
We appreciate your support and understanding during this difficult time.
Sincerely,
Caroline Toliver
Superintendent