ScenarioYou are the H.S. Director and a teacher calls you
from the hospital to say that one of the school students has just been pronounced dead as a result of a scooter accident witnessed by several of his friends.
Students gathered at the hospital have been told to leave as they are creating chaos. It is the first day of holiday vacation. What do you recommend?
THINK PREVENTIONKnow the leading causes of death for children and
create prevention programsKnow the protective factors for children and increase
the circle of care and supervisionCreate school prevention task forces and include
studentsKeep up with current trends and best practices in
prevention
Theoretical OrientationTheoretical OrientationGerald CaplanGerald Caplan
Primary prevention--- activities to prevent Primary prevention--- activities to prevent crisescrises
Secondary intervention--- implement short Secondary intervention--- implement short term activities to manage and minimize crisisterm activities to manage and minimize crisis
Tertiary intervention long term--- assistance Tertiary intervention long term--- assistance for those most affected for those most affected
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If A Death Occurs: Have Correct Information
Verify details with the police or the affected family and do not delay finding out what has happened as rumors spread quickly with today's’ technology.
Notify faculty before students and prepare faculty to assist students. Tell the truth and model coping.
What if you are unsure if the death was a suicide?What if the death was verified as a suicide? After a
suicide: Toolkit for schools www.afsp.org
Crisis TeamMake decisions as a group. Experience has found that the wisest crisis
response decisions are made in a group. Review crisis plan together.Assign responsibilitiesAdministrator or crisis leader should empower
crisis team members and check in with them frequently.
Every school crisis response needs to be evaluated for lessons learned
In a CrisisAvoid an underestimateHold your emotions exampleSupport from the top is importantGet involved quickly—cell phone numbers
and calling treeCrisis team members must know their roles
and have crisis materials ready and accessible
How to Intervene
Facts, Plan and Pep talk before school for faculty
Helping the teachers firstExamples of entering classroomsDevelopmental issuesDesk in a circleAvoid talking at students instead of talking
with them
Key questions to determine degree of trauma when a death affects the
school community:
• Who was the person?• What happened to them?• Where did the death occur?• What else has impacted the school
community?• Who was the perpetrator?
Administrators Role in a CrisisGet input from crisis teamInform central administrationActivate calling tree but if school is in session then
what? Notify faculty by memo or PA systemConduct a faculty meeting asap (examples)Verify the facts and tell the truthBe visible and availableDon’t be afraid to show emotionRecognize that after school shootings and multiple
causality incidents there is a need to increase suicide prevention efforts
Know the real statistics about school violence
Administrator ContinuedContact the family of deceasedEmpower staff and studentsKnow local resources and accept outside help
when neededRecognize the short and long term impact
(Brazil example) 60-20-20 rule estimateKeep everyone updatedManage the media and protect staff and
studentsKeep school open or reopen as soon as possiblePlan a Parent meeting or Open House
Administrator ContinuedSet aside other duties and focus on crisis Help staff understand the crisis becomes the
curriculumGive permission for a range of religious
beliefsExamples of effective and non effective
responsesKeep checking in with and supporting the
crisis team
Roles for Support PersonnelAdvise the administratorGive permission for range of emotionsHelp faculty firstRecognize individual crisis history of each
personThink positively about your abilities and skills
to help othersFollow schedule of deceased
Support Role ContinuedMost students will get help they need in
classroomDon’t hesitate to call parentsLocate additional helpKeep records of who was seen and concerns Ensure those most affected receive ongoing
services
Teachers’ RolePut desks in a circle and sit downProvide factual informationStop rumorsModel expression of emotionsGive permission for a range of emotions and religious
beliefsKnow students well and their crisis history and
identify students who need counseling helpProvide activities such as writing and drawing
especially for younger students
Teacher ContinuedProvide activities such as ceremoniesHelp students communicate to victim’s family Emphasize that with many crisis situations no
one is to blame and is often it is a long time before much information is available
Focus on your students and the loss and not all the why questions
Be familiar with developmental stages of death (Piaget)
Prepare students for funerals
Geographical Proximity
Outside the disaster areaOutside the disaster area
Within hearing distanceWithin hearing distance Near the disaster areaNear the disaster area
Direct exposureDirect exposure
Population at Risk Oversensitive Oversensitive
Difficult personal or social Difficult personal or social crisiscrisis
Significant loss in the past Significant loss in the past yearyear
Recent or similar trauma Recent or similar trauma
Psychosocial Proximity
Identification with or Identification with or similaritysimilarity
to victimsto victimsAcquaintanceAcquaintance
Immediate family Immediate family Near family or close friendNear family or close friend
Circles of VulnerabilityGeographical Geographical
ProximityProximity
Population at RiskPopulation at Risk Psychosocial ProximityPsychosocial Proximity
FuneralsParents need to accompany childrenFuneral should be after school hoursFunerals should not take place at schoolStudents should be prepared “Where are the parents as school personnel
try to comfort many grieving students?” School Counselor
Typical Childhood Reactions to a Crisis
* Fear of the future* Behavioral regression* Academic regression
* Nightmares
All adults need information about thesereactions and how to assist children.
PTSD Diagnosis ChildrenExposed to trauma that involved actual or threatened
death and serious injuryChild’s response involved intense fear, helplessness or
horrorSymptoms persist over several months such as
reexperiencing the trauma, avoidance of reminders and emotional numbness and increased arousal symptoms (startle response, agitation, sleeping problems, irritability)
School personnel and especially teachers need to be able to recognize what is more than a typical reaction
Primary Resiliency Factors:Caring and support of othersPositive view of selfSkills in communication, planning, and
problem solvingCapacity to manage strong emotions
In ConclusionHelp is available.Work as a team.Take care of yourself.Think prevention and preparation.www.scottpoland.comMany of my articles are posted at
www.districtadministration.com