Santa Rosa’s Montgomery High School to promote healing, resilience on first anniversary of student’s stabbing death

On Friday, Montgomery High School will mark the one year anniversary of the stabbing death of a student on campus with what they are calling “Roots of Resilience.”

For those who need it, there will be counselors on campus. There will rooms set aside for students and staff who need space. At lunch, there will be a tree dedication in front of the school.

And there will be food.

Groups have rallied to bring food and treats to campus.

Donuts donated by the Fresh Start Club in the morning. Lunch for staff provided by New Vintage Church, drinks from Safe Campus Alliance.

And desserts and treats for staff and students from a collection of the Montgomery Education Foundation, Athletic Boosters and alumni.

A call went out a week ago on social media, asking folks to drop off cookies, brownies and candy.

It seemed like an opportunity for those who want to support the Montgomery community but don’t quite know how.

Of course. Bring food.

But I wondered aloud to Principal April Santos if publicizing that call for donations in these pages would in some way minimize what happened a year ago and, frankly, the rough time the Viking community has had since.

No, was Santos’ simple answer.

“Culturally, if you think about it, what do you do when something happens, whether it’s a tragedy or death, we bring food and break bread,” she said. “This is the way I look at this. When we don’t know what to do our say, we bring something.”

There is no doubt that some among us do feel like they know what to do or say.

In the past year those folks have elevated the debate over police officers on campus, about student and staff mental health, about our sense of community and what is causing our fragile connections with one another to fray further still.

That said, many among us still don’t know what to do or say. Don’t know what exactly is needed or what is right.

So to those folks I say bring an offering.

The school will be accepting donations of sweet treats in the main office before 11 a.m. Friday.

If a package of muffins or brownies, or a bag of candy feels too small, I get that.

But Santos reiterated that it’s not about the food. It’s about the offering.

It’s about showing up.

It’s about sending a signal that people care, that we are here for our extended community.

And if it still feels too small, too light. OK.

Then show up at a Santa Rosa City Schools Board meeting. Or at a school site council meeting. Or an English Learner Advisory Committee meeting.

Volunteer for the Montgomery High School Project Graduation party. Or donate to the athletic boosters.

The MHS Alumni Foundation polenta feed is March 23. Go.

Attend a theater production or sporting event. The baseball team plays at home March 5. Softball is at home March 12. Montgomery’s track and field team will compete in the Big Cat meet at Santa Rosa High on Saturday.

Or go see Dana Alexander’s choir students sing Feb. 29 at Church of the Roses next door to campus. The show starts at 7 p.m.

Go. Cheer. Support. Show up.

Yes, it might feel too small, especially when the need feels so great.

But let’s remember the adage “Perfect is the enemy of good.”

It’s about showing up. And Santos welcomes you.

“This is a great place,” Santos said. “It’s a great group of kids. It’s a great staff. I’m really proud to call this place my home.”

You can reach Staff Columnist Kerry Benefield at 707-526-8671 or kerry.benefield@pressdemocrat.com. On Instagram @kerry.benefield.