Dear Friends,
Given the police activity going on only a few miles down the road from the HWRSD, today certainly was one of those days that causes us to pause and reflect. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family of Ms. Ritzer, to the faculty and staff of the Danvers Public Schools and the entire Danvers Community. Earlier today, I emailed condolences on behalf of the entire HWRSD community to Danvers Superintendent Lisa Dana, and offered any support that she might need. The Danvers Community will undoubtedly need a great deal of support in the months and weeks ahead as they come together to grieve and heal. I will pass along any requests for assistance I receive as appropriate.
I spent today visiting our District schools to check in with the building principals and see how the staff was holding up. We have some staff members who have personal connections to the Danvers Public Schools, and they were understandably affected more deeply than others, but on a day like today, all of us cannot help being a little shaken by the senseless loss of a promising young teacher. In general, though, our staff handled the news this morning with strength, professionalism and a greater sense of concern for how this news might impact their students than themselves.
On days like today we also can’t help but to reflect on and review our own crisis preparations. School safety is an issue that we take very seriously in the HWRSD and it is a regular part of our planning processes. As recently as last Tuesday, our leadership team met with representatives from both the Fire and Police Departments of Hamilton and Wenham to review and update our emergency plans. At this meeting, we also planned a series of “lockdown” drills for each school, the first of which was held at Buker Elementary yesterday morning. The remaining four schools will hold their drills in the coming weeks. Additionally, our building principals have been in contact with their teachers today to remind them of steps we can all take to keep our students and staff safe in their buildings.
The incredible reach of the media into our everyday lives means that the news of this tragedy will undoubtedly reach the ears of our children. The senseless nature of this act may prompt some children to ask questions that we may feel unprepared or unqualified to answer. I’ve provided some resources here from school mental health experts to assist you in discussing these topics with your child if the need arises.
The first resource is from the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) (2006):
Talking to Children About Violence: Tips for Parents and Teachers
High profile acts of violence, particularly in schools, can confuse and frighten children who may feel in danger or worry that their friends or loved-ones are at risk. They will look to adults for information and guidance on how to react. Parents and school personnel can help children feel safe by establishing a sense of normalcy and security and talking with them about their fears.
- Reassure children that they are safe. Emphasize that schools are very safe. Validate their feelings. Explain that all feelings are okay when a tragedy occurs. Let children talk about their feelings, help put them into perspective, and assist them in expressing these feelings appropriately.
- Make time to talk. Let their questions be your guide as to how much information to provide. Be patient. Children and youth do not always talk about their feelings readily. Watch for clues that they may want to talk, such as hovering around while you do the dishes or yard work. Some children prefer writing, playing music, or doing an art project as an outlet. Young children may need concrete activities (such as drawing, looking at picture books, or imaginative play) to help them identify and express their feelings.
- Keep your explanations developmentally appropriate:
- Early elementary school children need brief, simple information that should be balanced with reassurances that their school and homes are safe and that adults are there to protect them. Give simple examples of school safety like reminding children about exterior doors being locked, child monitoring efforts on the playground, and emergency drills practiced during the school day.
- Upper elementary and early middle school children will be more vocal in asking questions about whether they truly are safe and what is being done at their school. They may need assistance separating reality from fantasy. Discuss efforts of school and community leaders to provide safe schools.
- Upper middle school and high school students will have strong and varying opinions about the causes of violence in schools and society. They will share concrete suggestions about how to make school safer and how to prevent tragedies in society. Emphasize the role that students have in maintaining safe schools by following school safety guidelines (e.g. not providing building access to strangers, reporting strangers on campus, reporting threats to the school safety made by students or community members, etc.), communicating any personal safety concerns to school administrators, and accessing support for emotional needs.
4. Review safety procedures. This should include procedures and safeguards at school and at home. Help children identify at least one adult at school and in the community to whom they go if they feel threatened or at risk.
5. Observe children’s emotional state. Some children may not express their concerns verbally. Changes in behavior, appetite, and sleep patterns can indicate a child’s level of anxiety or discomfort. In most children, these symptoms will ease with reassurance and time. However, some children may be at risk for more intense reactions. Children who have had a past traumatic experience or personal loss, suffer from depression or other mental illness, or with special needs may be at greater risk for severe reactions than others. Seek the help of mental health professional if you are at all concerned.
6. Limit television viewing of these events. Limit television viewing and be aware if the television is on in common areas. Developmentally inappropriate information can cause anxiety or confusion, particularly in young children. Adults also need to be mindful of the content of conversations that they have with each other in front of children, even teenagers, and limit their exposure to vengeful, hateful, and angry comments that might be misunderstood.
7. Maintain a normal routine. Keeping to a regular schedule can be reassuring and promote physical health. Ensure that children get plenty of sleep, regular meals, and exercise. Encourage them to keep up with their schoolwork and extracurricular activities but don’t push them if they seem overwhelmed.
Suggested Points to Emphasize When Talking to Children
- Schools are safe places. School staff work with parents and public safety providers (local police and fire departments, emergency responders, hospitals, etc.) to keep you safe.
- The school building is safe because … (cite specific school procedures).
- We all play a role in the school safety. Be observant and let an adult know if you see or hear something that makes you feel uncomfortable, nervous or frightened.
- There is a difference between reporting, tattling or gossiping. You can provide important information that may prevent harm either directly or anonymously by telling a trusted adult what you know or hear.
- Don’t dwell on the worst possibilities. Although there is no absolute guarantee that something bad will never happen, it is important to understand the difference between the possibility of something happening and the probability that it will affect our school.
- Senseless violence is hard for everyone to understand. Doing things that you enjoy, sticking to your normal routine, and being with friends and family help make us feel better and keep us from worrying about the event.
- Sometimes people do bad things that hurt others. They may be unable to handle their anger, under the influence of drugs or alcohol, or suffering from mental illness. Adults (parents, teachers, police officers, doctors, faith leaders) work very hard to get those people help and keep them from hurting others. It is important for all of us to know how to get help if we feel really upset or angry and to stay away from drugs and alcohol.
- Stay away from guns and other weapons. Tell an adult if you know someone has a gun. Access to guns is one of the leading risk factors for deadly violence.
- Violence is never a solution to personal problems. Students can be part of the positive solution by participating in anti-violence programs at school, learning conflict mediation skills, and seeking help from an adult if they or a peer is struggling with anger, depression, or other emotions they cannot control.
NASP has additional information for parents and educators on school safety, violence prevention, children’s trauma reactions, and crisis response at www.nasponline.org. ©2006, National Association of School Psychologists, 4340 East West Highway #402, Bethesda, MD 20814
The second resource also from the NASP (2002) can be accessed though the link below:
http://www.nasponline.org/resources/crisis_safety/terror_general.aspx
The third resource is an excellent five minute video for parents to use when preparing to talk with our children
Sincerely,
Mike Harvey
Superintendent
Hwschoolssuper 