• Like others around the area and nation, our school community is mourning the unthinkable, tragic events that take took place at the Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut last Friday.

     

    Words cannot adequately express our condolences to all the families whose children, friends, or family members were needlessly taken from them.  The profound feelings of loss must be overwhelming.

     

    Yet we cannot help but be reminded of how very precious are the lives of our children, family members, coworkers, neighbors, friends and community members.  Now is the time for us to pull together, show others how much we care, and remind our children that they are safe in school.

     

    As your children ask questions about what happened at the Sandy Hook Elementary School, we’d like to suggest looking at recommendations experts have published for parents and

    families on various websites like these from the Mental Health America website at: http://

    www.nmha.org/index.cfm?objectid=CA866E4C-1372-4D20-C8D796080B7D2F96

     

    Some of their suggestions: 

     

    “Talking To Kids About School Safety”

    School violence and the resulting intense media coverage bring school safety issues to the forefront for all of us. However, children, in particular, may experience anxiety, fear, and a sense of personal risk. Knowing how to talk with your child about school safety issues could be critical in recognizing and preventing acts of violence, and will play an important role in easing fear and anxieties about their personal safety. 

     

    To guide parents through discussions about school violence, Mental Health America offers the following suggestions:

     

    Encourage children to talk about their concerns and to express their feelings. Some

    children may be hesitant to initiate such conversation, so you may want to prompt them by asking if they feel safe at school. When talking with younger children remember to talk on their level. For example, they may not understand the term “violence” but can talk to you about being afraid or a classmate who is mean to them.

    Talk honestly about your own feelings regarding school violence. It is important for children

    to recognize they are not dealing with their fears alone.

    Validate the child’s feelings. Do not minimize a child’s concerns. Let him/her know that serious school violence is not common, which is why incidents such as Columbine and Conyers, Georgia, attract so much media attention. Stress that schools are safe places. In fact, recent studies have shown that schools are more secure now than ever before.

    Empower children to take action regarding school safety. Encourage them to report specific

    incidents (such as bullying, threats or talk of suicide) and to develop problem solving and conflict resolution skills. Encourage older children to actively participate in student-run anti-violence programs.

    Discuss the safety procedures that are in place at your child’s school. Explain why visitors

    sign in at the principal’s office or certain doors remain locked during the school day. Help your child understand that such precautions are in place to ensure his or her safety and stress the importance of adhering to school rules and policies.

    Create safety plans with your child. Help identify which adults (a friendly secretary, trusted teacher or approachable administrator) your child can talk to if they feel threatened at school. Also ensure that your child knows how to reach you (or another family member or friend) in case of crisis during the school day. Remind your child that they can talk to you anytime they feel threatened.

    Recognize behavior that may indicate your child is concerned about returning to school.

    Younger children may react to school violence by not wanting to attend school or participate in school-based activities. Teens and adolescents may minimize their concerns outwardly, but may become argumentative, withdrawn, or allow their school performance to decline.

    Keep the dialogue going and make school safety a common topic in family discussions rather than just a response to an immediate crisis. Open dialogue will encourage children to share their concerns.

    Seek help when necessary. If you are worried about a child’s reaction or have ongoing concerns about his/her behavior or emotions, contact a mental health professional at school 585-262-8888.

     

     

    Please do not hesitate to reach out with questions, concerns, or if you just need to talk.