Once again our nation was rocked by a senseless and devastating school shooting resulting in loss of lives and continued loss of innocence. These events can stir fear, anxiety, and anger in all of us. As educators, we wonder what we would do in this situation. We wonder why such things must shatter the safety our children, schools and communities. We wonder what we can or should do for our students and staffs in the aftermath of another school shooting. Below are some resources to consider for your work.
related article Students Seize Control of Gun Debate, Plan Walkouts and March
related article A "Mass Shooting Generation" Cries out for Change (grades 6-8, 9-12)related article Can High School Students Make a Real Impact on the Problem of Gun Violence in the United States?
How to Respond to School Shootings (from the American School Counselor Association)
• Try and keep routines as normal as possible. Kids gain security from the predictability of routine, including attending school.
• Limit exposure to television and the news.
• Be honest with kids and share with them as much information as they are developmentally able to handle.
• Listen to kids’ fears and concerns.
• Reassure kids that the world is a good place to be, but that there are people who do bad things.
• Parents and adults need to first deal with and assess their own responses to crisis and stress.
• Rebuild and reaffirm attachments and relationships.
• Try and keep routines as normal as possible. Kids gain security from the predictability of routine, including attending school.
• Limit exposure to television and the news.
• Be honest with kids and share with them as much information as they are developmentally able to handle.
• Listen to kids’ fears and concerns.
• Reassure kids that the world is a good place to be, but that there are people who do bad things.
• Parents and adults need to first deal with and assess their own responses to crisis and stress.
• Rebuild and reaffirm attachments and relationships.
Talking to Children About Violence: From the National Association of School Psychologists
Talking with Kids About School Violence and Trauma: this article addresses how to talk to youth about school violence in developmentally appropriate ways
Resources for Talking and Teaching About the School Shooting in Florida: multiple resources for all ages embedded in this article
Continue to take care of yourself and each other!
