Everyone Showed Up

On a Friday afternoon in late April, a gunman opened fire from an adjacent apartment building and injured three of our community members. 

In the days, and even hours, after the shooting, our school experienced a profound outpouring of support from around the District. From our neighbors here in Van Ness who opened their doors amid the chaos to our peer schools who offered to send their own counselors to countless family and friends who volunteered time, expertise, and connections.
We have been grateful to partner with and receive support from:

  • Counselors from our peer independent schools created space for Burke faculty and staff to connect and offered additional on-site counseling when students returned.
  • Children's National Hospital provided webinars specifically for Middle and High School families about supporting their children's healing.
  • Families, parents, Trustees, and EBPA volunteers covered the school walls in colorful artwork, and even lined the bridge with lights, to welcome students and teachers back (pictured).
  • Lucy Kernan-Schloss, Ph.D. P'06, our longtime School Counselor (2005-2021) stepped right back in to support the school community.
  • Michele Gay, founder of Safe and Sound Schools and mother of Josephine Grace, consulted with Burke's School Counselor in the immediate aftermath.
  • National Capital Therapy Dogs, and Guiding Eyes for the Blind's wonderful dogs welcomed students during their first week back in the building and were positioned at either ends of the bridge; we even welcomed back Sean Grogan '75 and his dog Jethro (pictured).
  • Numerous counseling centers set aside time for our students, families, and faculty and staff, including the The Center For Family Well-Being and the Sibley Group.
  • One Common Unity, a DC-based nonprofit "that breaks cycles of violence and builds compassionate, healthy communities," provided training on processing trauma for our faculty and staff and met with students in each grade level.
  • Our Upton Street neighbors at the Levine School of Music opened their doors to us.
  • Scott Poland, Ed.D., a professor at a Nova Southeastern University, licensed psychologist, and internationally recognized expert on school safety and crisis prevention, met with our administrators, faculty and staff, and parent communities.
  • Students and families (and even an Ultimate Frisbee team) from DC-area schools, including Barrie School, Georgetown Visitation, The Field School, Washington Latin PCS, and Washington Waldorf, sent kind letters, postcards, and meals.
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Co-ed, progressive, college prep school in Washington, DC featuring a challenging curriculum in an inclusive environment for grades 6-12.