Westlake Shows Support After Chardon Shooting

Following the tragic events at Chardon High School on Monay, students around the country struggled to find ways to show their support for the students and families impacted by the violence. 

At , the Leadership Challenge group set up a paper banner with the words “Dear Chardon HS, We are thinking of you. Love, Westlake HS.”

Over three days, students streamed into the high school Guidance Department to sign the banner and offer their condolences and support for the Chardon students, families, teachers and community.

On Thursday, Westlake High School Resource Officer Scott Fortkamp delivered the banner to Chardon High School to welcome those students back to school Friday morning.

The district has also issued a letter to all parents, reminding them of the schools' security measures and the anonymous School Safety Line at 440-250-1199.

"Monday’s event at Chardon High School is a sobering and unfortunate reminder that we need to remain vigilant in keeping safety as a first priority," wrote Superintendent Dan Keenan. "We are committed to doing so."

and elementary schools are voting sites in the March 6 primary election, and Keenan assured parents that the district has made plans to keep the buildings safe and secure.

"Business Manager Dr. Stan Lipinski worked with the principals in those buildings and contacted Westlake Police last week about adding officers that day to assist in those specific plans," Keenan wrote. "Our administrators, particularly those at our high school, have been in discussions about Monday’s events so that we can continue to work to be at our best."