Tragedy at Washington Middle School

Dear Seattle University Community,

As I’m sure you have heard from news reports, Washington Middle School suffered an incredibly tragic loss yesterday when a 12-year-old student was fatally struck by a car while walking to recess. When a parent loses a child, we are all heartbroken and join in grieving. First and foremost, our thoughts and prayers are with the family of the student and all the students, families, teachers, and administrators at the school.

For Seattle University, the tragedy is felt in a particularly profound and painful way. Located just a mile from our campus, Washington Middle School is a longtime partner with our university through the Seattle University Youth Initiative. We have a staff member working at the school as well as work-study students tutoring and mentoring, and the staff member and four of our students were at the school yesterday as the horrific events unfolded. Let us keep them in our thoughts and prayers, as well as our faculty and staff whose children attend the school.

A number of resources are available for members of our university community who are seeking support. Students are encouraged to visit CARE Team for more information. Staff and faculty can visit Resources for Living, our employee assistance program offered through Human Resources, or contact the Center for Jesuit Education at 206-296-6133 and centerforjesuiteducation@seattleu.edu.

As we continue to process yesterday’s tragedy and how we might be a source of comfort and support for our friends at Washington Middle School, I ask that you please join me in praying for all who are impacted.

Respectfully,

Eduardo M. Peñalver
President