Our school district (North Penn) sent home this email following the horrific shootings in Connecticut today:

As you may now have seen or heard, the Sandy Hook Elementary in Connecticut experienced an awful tragedy.  Our thoughts are with this community during such a troubling time.  In times like these, it is difficult to understand and explain such actions to adults and even more difficult to explain to a child.  We feel it is the parents’ decision on how they are going to share the news of such events with their children. To help with this difficult conversation, we have attached a guide and advice from the National Mental Health Institute.  

Sincerely,
Curtis R. Dietrich

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AP photo

Here are some things that can be helpful while discussing school violence:

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 these incidents 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 or at your community mental health center.

In addition, there are many resources that North Penn School District Counselors can provide to you: books, articles, names of grief counselors and therapists as well as organizations that provide support to families. School counselors will be available on Monday to assist student who need help understanding this tragedy.

Other resources about talking with children about death.
http://www.pbs.org/parents/talkingwithkids/news/talking.html?utm_source=Twitter&utm_medium=channel&utm_campaign=PBS