School Safety - Sandy Hook

Resources for schools and families

Friday’s tragedy in Newtown, Conn., has shocked and saddened us beyond words. Governor LePage and I have both expressed our condolences and send our thoughts and prayers. As schools and families look to next steps, here are some helpful resources we’ve begun to collect. – Stephen Bowen

Messages and general information

• Governor LePage Announces Moment of Silence on Friday, Dec. 21 in Memory of the Victims in Newtown, Conn.
• Questions and Answers about school safety and preparedness in Maine.
• Request, resources, and info in the aftermath of Sandy Hook - Memo from Maine Commissioner of Education Stephen Bowen, including links to key resources on emergency preparedness and talking with children about Sandy Hook.
• Resources for schools to prepare for and recover from crisis - A message from U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan following the tragic events in Newtown, Connecticut.

Talking with students about the events at Sandy Hook (From the Crisis Management Institute)

• Talking with Children (PDF, 85KB)
• Guidelines for Teachers and Administrators (PDF, 187KB)

Emergency planning and preparedness for schools

• Maine Prepares (Maine Emergency Management Agency)
• Maine DOE Emergency School Planning
• Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan requirements in law

General resources - School Emergency Management, Distress and Grief Advice

• Disaster Distress Helpline (Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Administration)
• Helping your children manage distress in the aftermath of a shooting (American Psychological Association)
• Managing your distress in the aftermath of a shooting (American Psychological Association)
• Five Questions on the Tucson, Ariz., Shootings for Psychologist Joel Dvoskin, PhD   **please see # 3 question and response (American Psychological Association)
• Helpful Hints for School Emergency Management - Psychological first aid (PFA) for students and teachers: Listen, Protect, Connect – Model & Teach (U.S. Department of Education, Readiness and Emergency Management for Schools (REMS) Technical Assistance Center)
• Listen, Protect, Connect – Model and Teach - Psychological first aid for teachers and students (Federal Emergency Management Agency, U.S. Department of Homeland Security)
• After a Loved One Dies – How children grieve and how parents and other adults can support them. (David Schonfeld, MD, and Marcia Quackenbush, MS, MFT, CHES)
• School Crisis Guide - Help and healing in a time of crisis. (National Education Association)
• SAMHSA's Tips for Talking to Children and Youth After Traumatic Events: A Guide for Parents and Educators (US Department of Health and Human Services)
• SAMHSA's Coping with Violence and Traumatic Events Web site (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration)
• Talking to Children About Violence: Tips for Parents and Teachers (National Association of School Psychologists)
• Coping With Crisis: Tips for Parents and Educators (National Association of School Psychologists)
• Coping with Crisis—Helping Children With Special Needs (National Association of School Psychologists)
• Dealing with a Death in School (National Association of School Psychologists)
• A Practical Guide for Crisis Response in Our Schools (National Center for Crisis Management)
• School crisis guide: Helping and healing in a time of crisis (National Education Association)

 

12/19/12