Crime & Safety

Newtown School Shooting: Resources for Parents via Principal of Woodbury's Bailey Elementary

Candy Hofstad sent out a note to parents Sunday.

In the wake of the shooting at an elementary school in Connecticut, the principal of Bailey Elementary in Woodbury on Sunday sent out the following statement:

As you are aware, there was a tragic shooting at a school in Connecticut on Friday, December 14, 2012. Because the incident happened in a school setting this comes of concern to students and their families locally.

At Bailey Elementary School, our staff will support all of our students as needed in the days ahead. In addition, we will pay close attention to our security steps/routines as well as review the school wide crisis plan. Although nothing truly prepares us for the tragic event of Sandy Hook Elementary School, the strength of our own school community and our commitment to our students will assist us in the constant preparation and continued planning of keeping our staff and students safe during their days here at school.  

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Below are some suggestions for you as you help your children and youth cope during with this stressful and tragic event as needed. 

If you have any questions or concerns please feel free to contact the front office at any time. 

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Sincerely yours,

Candy Hofstad, Principal

Suggestions for you as you help your children and youth cope with this stressful and tragic school event. 

Adult’s Role: Try to be calm, reassuring, and focused for the children. Parents and guardians need to get the support they need from other adults so they are able to effectively guide the children. Talk about family and community values, communication, and treating each other in a caring way. 

Talk and Listen: Find out what the children’s fears and concerns are and address them as directly and calmly as possible. Reassure them that you, extended family members, and other adults are here to help and protect. Give children time to talk, follow their lead — when they are ready to return to their regular routine, let them. If they have further concerns, they will probably come back to talk.  Let them know they can talk at any time. 

Create a Safe Home Environment: Turn off the TV. Constant images, strong emotions, and reports of the shooting are not helpful at this time. If you need to watch the news, do so after the children have gone to bed. If teenage children want to watch the news, make sure that you are with them to help process the information and images. 

Keep to bedtime routine: A good antidote to stress is sleep. Children need reassurance at bedtime. Read to them, keep family faith traditions, and allow nightlights and hall lights to stay on. Some children may want extra assurance.  Lying down with children, especially young ones, or sitting in a youth’s room until they fall asleep may be helpful. 

Use Your Resources: Community resources are available to you and your families to help you talk to children include counselors, members of the faith community, public health and sexual assault and domestic abuse programs. 

Start the Discussion: Here are some remarks that might help you start a discussion with your children about this tragic event. Use whatever is comfortable for you. 

“What has happened is horrifying, and our hearts and brains are having a hard time taking it all in.  What we know at this point is: (give facts, as you know them.)”

“When scary things happen, it is important to take a big breath or whatever it is you do to help calm down.  Pay attention to the facts.  Be careful not to spread rumors.” 

Be careful to avoid dramatizing the drama — try to calm yourself and others instead of fanning the excitement.

“It is still important for you and me to be able to express our feelings and share our thoughts and concerns.  Do you want to talk about what has happened?  We can talk whenever you want.”

Possible Discussion Questions:

  • What have you heard about the shootings?
  • How are you feeling about what happened?
  • Is anyone you know worried about this happening at your school?  How can we help that person?
  • How did what you heard or saw affect you?
  • Who are your friends, supporters and resources for help?
  • How can you be a friend or peacemaker to other students and adults in this family, neighborhood, or school?
Other Coverage

Connecticut School Shooting: District 833 to Review Safety and Security Practices

Newtown School Shooting: McCollum Urges Immediate Congressional Action to End 'Epidemic of Gun Violence'

How to Talk to Children About Violence in Wake of Newtown School Shooting (blog post)

(blog post)

 


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