BEND, Ore. -- Superintendent Steve Cook joined Governor Tina Kotek, U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley, U.S. Congresswoman Janelle Bynum, and state and local leaders for a situational briefing Wednesday regarding the tragic incident at Silver Rail Elementary School.

"The meeting focused on sharing updates and coordinating assistance across state, federal, and local levels," according to an update posted on the school district's Silver Rail Community Resource Hub.

The rest of the statement:

Bend-La Pine Schools remains committed to fostering environments that ensure physical safety while supporting mental and emotional well-being. Part of that commitment involves ensuring our elected officials fully understand the deep impact this event has had on our students, families, staff, and community.

During the briefing, leaders discussed ongoing recovery support and emphasized the need for continued dialogue on school safety. Superintendent Cook also shared deep gratitude for the extraordinary outpouring of compassion, professionalism, and care from our local businesses, partner agencies, and community members.

For additional information about supports for students, we encourage families to visit our FAQs on the safety webpage. We address common questions about our safety practices and protocols, the support available to students, staff, and families, and considerations for future safety measures.