Cy-Fair ISD Superintendent Mark Henry released a statement Sunday, May 20, in response to the Santa Fe High School shooting that killed 10 people and injured several more on Friday, May 18, just south of Houston.

“This is the time of year when I typically prepare an end-of-year message reflecting on the successes of the school year and the exciting future ahead,” Henry said in the statement. “I had this message queued up for Friday, but could not bring myself to push send. In light of the horrific news out of Santa Fe ISD, the tone felt insensitive.”

Following recruitment efforts throughout the last year, CFISD Police Chief Eric Mendez has confirmed the district’s police force is fully-staffed. Henry said this will help increase police presence at each of the district’s 91 campuses and support facilities as the school year comes to a close.

Henry said he has also communicated with each CFISD principal since Friday’s incident in regards to enforcing dress codes for security reasons. Community Impact Newspaper’s media partner The Texas Tribune reported the 17-year-old student who opened fire in Santa Fe on Friday was wearing a trench coat hiding two firearms.

“Through the end of the school year, we are asking that no students wear trench coats or other heavy clothing that could potentially conceal weapons,” Henry said. “While we want students to dress in clothing that is comfortable in their learning environment, we feel any extra safety measure that assists our officers and administrators should be utilized.”

Following the Feb. 14 school shooting in Parkland, Florida, CFISD officials provided updates on the district's safety and security efforts, which include police training, counseling and student services and security upgrades on each campus. Read more on these updates, which were discussed at a March 5 board of trustees meeting, here.

Active shooter training opportunity

CFISD’s police department is hosting a free event Wednesday, June 6, for members of the community who frequent restaurants, hospitals, theaters, churches, convenience stores and other locations considered vulnerable targets of domestic and international terrorism.

Attendees will learn about the need for constant situational awareness and tactics essential to being an active participant in their own safety, officials said.

The course will also tackle the history of mass casualty incidents and their effect on public safety response in the U.S. Instructors will explain the mindset of those who set out to cause serious injury or death to multiple victims and how awareness can assist the public in recognizing the potential for disaster.

The class is set to take place from 6:30-9 p.m. Wednesday, June 6, at the Berry Center, 8877 Barker Cypress Road, Cypress. The event is free and open to the public, but there will be limited seating. Participants can register online at www.leoseminar.com.