MinnSPRA members – this document contains a number of responses / messages / documents being shared across the country. In addition, know that NSPRA is developing a blog for such activity to be captured.
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We at the Jefferson City Public Schools are deeply saddened to hear of the news of the elementary school shooting in Connecticut. Our thoughts and prayers are with those families and that community. Safety is our first priority, and we are proactive in taking measures to keep children safe. If you have questions or concerns, please contact your child’s school principal.
David Luther
Assistant to the Superintendent, School-Community Relations
Jefferson City Public Schools
Jefferson City, Missouri
573.659.3018
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Letter via Anoka-Hennepin School District:
December 14, 2012
Dear Parents and Guardians,
By now you may be heard about the tragic school shooting that occurred today at an elementary school in Connecticut. No doubt there will be extensive coverage of this on the news and much discussion about it in our communities in the coming days.
I want to assure you that safety of our students is our top priority and that our school has a comprehensive crisis plan in place to help avoid tragedies such as this. The plan is reviewed and updated annually.
I also want to share with you some tips from the National Association of School Psychologists for helping your children cope with news such as this.
What Parents Can Do:
- Focus on your children over the week following the tragedy. Tell them you love them and everything will be okay. Try to help them understand what has happened, keeping in mind their developmental level.
- Make time to talk with your children. Remember if you do not talk to your children about this incident someone else will. Take some time and determine what you wish to say.
- Stay close to your children. Your physical presence will reassure them and give you the opportunity to monitor their reaction. Many children will want actual physical contact. Give plenty of hugs. Let them sit close to you, and make sure to take extra time at bedtime to cuddle and to reassure them that they are loved and safe.
- Limit your child’s television viewing of these events. If they must watch, watch with them for a brief time; then turn the set off. Don’t sit mesmerized re-watching the same events over and over again.
- Maintain a “normal” routine. To the extent possible stick to your family’s normal routine for dinner, homework, chores, bedtime, etc., but don’t be inflexible. Children may have a hard time concentrating on schoolwork or falling asleep at night.
- Spend extra time reading or playing quiet games with your children before bed. These activities are calming, foster a sense of closeness and security, and reinforce a sense of normalcy. Spend more time tucking them in. Let them sleep with a light on if they ask for it.
- Safeguard your children’s physical health. Stress can take a physical toll on children as well as adults. Make sure your children get appropriate sleep, exercise, and nutrition.
- Consider praying or thinking hopeful thoughts for the victims and their families. It may be a good time to take your children to your place of worship, write a poem, or draw a picture to help your child express their feelings and feel that they are somehow supporting the victims and their families.
- Find out what resources your school has in place to help children cope. Most schools are likely to be open and often are a good place for children to regain a sense of normalcy. Being with their friends and teachers can help. Schools should also have a plan for making counseling available to children and adults who need it.
If you have concerns about your child’s reaction to this news, please contact ______(add name(s) of the most appropriate persons in your school.
Sincerely,
Little Elm ISD – Julie Zwahr - Texas
Superintendent’s Email to Staff
12.14.2012
Tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary
This morning we received word that a terrible shooting has occurred at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newton, Conn. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the all of victim’s families and the many educators who have been devastated this morning by the loss of their children and colleagues. As of this report, there are accounts of more than 20-25 fatalities, many of which are elementary students. The shooter is also reported to be dead.
All indications are that this is an isolated incident very far from our schools, however we want to remain sensitive to our students and parents that may raise questions and concerns about our own processes and plans.
Anytime a tragedy like this happens it reminds us of how precious life is and how fortunate we are to work with our community’s young people. It falls to each of us today to reassure our students and colleagues that we will continue on and stay ever diligent to keeping our schools safe.
Again, please keep all those involved in your thoughts in prayers today and in future days.
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Julie Thannum, APR
Executive Director of Communications & Marketing
Carroll ISD
3051 Dove Road
Grapevine, TX 76051
Website: http://www.southlakecarroll.edu
News Portal: http://www.MySouthlakeNews.com
Parents,
We are deeply troubled to hear this morning about a shooting at a Connecticut elementary school. Sadly, the number of those who lost their lives has increased throughout the morning at Sandy Hook Elementary in Newtown, Connecticut. As of this report, there are accounts of more than 25 dead, many of which are elementary-age-students. The shooter is also reported to be dead, but additional suspects are being detained according to news agencies.
This is a stark reminder of the importance of our safety procedures and our check-in and screening processes for all visitors to campuses. While there is no indication that this is anything but an isolated incident in a state far from Texas, we do want to take this opportunity to remind all of our Dragon families that we conduct regular drills, including those for a building lockdown, and that we have the Raptor screening check-in process for all visitors to the campus.
It isimperativethat you assist us as parents in following our front office procedures when arriving on campus. Use front entrances only when visiting school and check into the office immediately upon arrival; don't forget also to let us know when you are leaving. The new security entrances added as part of our 2009 Bond Program have increased our visibility and awareness greatly.
We require media, vendors, and delivery drivers to check in as well. Minor exits and entrances are locked throughout the day and should not be propped open by staff or parents for any reason. These are just a few of the procedures we must enforce to help ensure we know who is on campus at all times. Certainly in this day and age we can never be absolutely protected against all circumstances, but we do train our staff and rely on our parents to helps us ensure we enforce our own procedures. We also conduct safety drills and debriefings with local first responders regularly.
Consider CISD in a precautionary and reflective mode regarding our own buildings, students and staff safety. Please continue to help us by being our eyes and ears on campus and reporting any safety concerns you notice.
As the parent of elementary-age school children, I am heavy-hearted by the story unfolding. Please keep the families of those involved in this terrible situation in your prayers. We will learn more details in the hours and days ahead, and will discuss and debrief with administrators and staff, accordingly.
David Faltys
Superintendent
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St. Paul Public Schools Web Site
SPPS is shocked and saddened by the shooting that took place in Connecticut today
Friday, December 14, 2012 1:20 PM
Our thoughts go out to all involved. We want to assure our families and the community that student safety is of paramount importance in our district. We take every precaution, every day. Our own security officers and uniformed Saint Paul Police officers patrol our schools daily. Our Security and Emergency Management Department is in constant communication with local law enforcement and public safety partners. More information on safety in Saint Paul Public Schools is available at safety.spps.org.
If you would like information on talking with your child about the Connecticut incident or school safety in general, please contact your school counselor or administrator. In addition, crisis support for children and families is available 24/7 from Children’s Crisis Response, 651-774-7000, or Crisis Connection, 612-379-6363.
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MPS Superintendent Barbara W. Thompson’s statement concerning the shooting in Connecticut:
“The thoughts and prayers of all of the MPS family are with the parents and family members of the horrible tragedy in Newton, Connecticut. Montgomery Public Schools work closely with the Montgomery Police Department, Montgomery Sheriff’s Office, and our own security team to help provide a safe learning environment for our students.”
Tom Salter
Senior Communication Officer
Montgomery Public Schools (Alabama)
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NSPRA Colleagues,
I'm sure others have more polished info, but the following is what we just sent to our principals via our Director of Security. Parents have been calling to see if we were going to let school out early today... and to make sure we were alert and aware of the tragedy.
P.S. We received (and supt. declined) several media interviews on school safety.
Mary Jo M. Burton, APR
Communications Director
North Kansas City Schools
Office: 816/413-5050
Mobile: 816/520-5555
Be extraordinary!
Principals,
Several schools have received calls from parents regarding today’s school tragedy in Connecticut. They are concerned about our own school security. In conjunction with the Communications Office, we have prepared the following key messages for you. Please feel free to share them as you deem appropriate for your school family.
• Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families impacted by this senseless tragedy, and our schools remain open to serve our students today.
• We want to reassure our parents that safety and security are a priority in all our schools. Our security plans were developed in accordance with state and federal best practices and in partnership with local public safety professionals.
• We have controlled access to all our buildings, and we have a School Resource Officer or Deputy assigned to each one. They are available or on call throughout the school day.
• In light of today’s tragedy, we will be reviewing our safety and security practices to determine if they need to be adapted or strengthened.
Respectfully,
Jon Brady
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Another thing we are working on – which I will share on that site- is talking points for our principals, who are going to invite staff to a meeting before school on Monday to
1. Address the concerns and fears of staff
2. Give staff some tools to deal with students who may be talking about it at school on Monday.
Terri McHugh, APR
Community Relations Director
School District 54
524 E. Schaumburg Road
Schaumburg, IL 60194
847-357-5028
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Debriefing:
Taking your pulse after another’s crisis can
improve the health of your school district
Violent incidents can happen virtually anywhere, at any time. While we know our schools are safe, no school is above scrutiny when a shooting or horrible student injury occurs anywhere in the nation.
“What if it had been my child,” is the first reaction of most every parent when they hear of a shooting at a school. When they see their child at the end of the school day, they will give him or her a hug and say “Thank goodness you’re safe,” all the while wondering if it could happen in their school district.
One positive action staff at any school district can take following an act of violence at another district is to debrief; to respond to the fears of their students, parents and staff; and to examine their own emergency procedures.
One debriefing activity is to hold a mock emergency exercise to learn how the district’s crisis plan will hold up under similar circumstances. Another is a real-life communications debriefing to reinforce the positive steps your district is taking to ensure the safety of students and staff.
Here are some simple steps your district can take to implement a communications debriefing after a critical incident.
Ask the following questions:
· What are students’ fears or concerns?
· What are parents’ fears or concerns?
· What are the fears and concerns of staff?
· What would we do if it happened here?
· Will reporters seek a local reaction?
· Will local, state or national lawmakers respond?
Address each group with a response geared toward their particular concerns.
· To address the concerns of students, develop age-appropriate discussion points that will give teachers the opportunity to help students appreciate diversity, non-violent conflict resolution, etc. Reassure students that caring adults are looking out for their safety, help them understand and cope with any anxiety they may be feeling, encourage them to talk, write or draw pictures to express their fears, and watch for signs of overreaction.