1. All The Information We Hope You Never Need
Tammy Bunch, Ed.D., Topping Elementary, North Kansas City School District
Glenda Fine, Winnwood Elementary, North Kansas City School District

2. Objectives
Explain our experience with providing support to staff, students, and families affected by an anticipated or unanticipated loss.
Explain purpose of crisis response
Provide ideas for student, parent, and staff support
Provide grief resources

3. Crisis Response Reduce Fear Facilitate Grieving Promote Education
Provide background

4. Types of Grief Response
Anticipated Death
Unanticipated Death

5. Leveled Support Situational School
Some situations require more support than others

6. Grief is Unique
Each child's grief is as unique to him or her as was their relationship with the deceased. Because of this, the way children experience and express their grief will vary for each person. Some children have a need to talk about the person who died and their feelings about it; others might not talk about the person at all; and even others, might express their grief through art, play, music or writing. In whatever way children might experience and respond to their grief, these expressions are how they are adapting to life without the physical presence of that person and adjusting to one of memories. It is important not to assume what children might be feeling about a person's death. Reactions vary from sadness, anger, fear, guilt and even relief. It is important to listen to children, meet them on their terms and come to understand their unique grief reactions. ~National Alliance for Grieving Children
Provide background as to how grief counseling in the district started. Use example of Fox Hill.

7. Unanticipated Death Depends on situation and school
Preparation support to principal and counselor
Staff support
Student Support
Parent/family support

8. Preparation Support Template for letters to parents
Template for phone call/ to parents
Template for morning announcement
Checklist for things to think about
Make sure you remove the affected family from any phone call or list that is used.

9. Check List Are there siblings in your building?
Are there younger or older siblings in another building?
Are there cousins or other relatives?
Are there students who have suffered a recent loss?
Are there staff members who have suffered a recent loss?
Who are former classroom teachers, coaches, music teachers, etc. of the student?
Cultural Considerations?
Ways of grieving
Funerals
Family-many “cousins”

10. Staff Support Provide support to building counselor
Provide support to building administration
Provide support to building staff

11. Staff Meeting Happens before or after school
Provide details of death to all staff
Explain plan for grief services for classrooms and individual students
Discuss importance of staff self care
Provide time after the first school day for staff to voluntarily come together to debrief
Talking Points
Taking Care of YOU

12. Student Support Counseling support in classrooms affected by loss
Sometimes this is all classrooms
Could be a specific grade level
Classroom teacher makes decision as to if they or the support counselor will take the lead
Initial discussion is minutes
Individual students who are struggling are sent to a common location for extra support
List of students affected by recent loss
In thinking about which classrooms might need additional counselor support – consider other recent losses – death of grandparents / ill family members / etc.

13. Student Support
Draw a picture
Make a card
Talk
Write a letter
Art

14. Student Support Sentence Starters… I remember a time when we..
It was fun when we...
I wish we...
I feel…
I hope…
Thank You for…

15. Parent/Family Support
After school or evening parent meeting
Provide information to parents about the grief process for kids

16. Anticipated Death Use framework of support
How do we support our student?
Facebook pages :
Super hero
Fan club
T-Shirts – jeans day - $ to families
Hospital Staff – talk to staff and classroom
Informed staff of what to expect
safe place to ask questions
Pros – child/family receive lots of widespread support
One place for information / updates to be posted
Involvement of community / make-a-wish / etc.
Cons – can become all-consuming of your time

17. Anticipated Death Making pillows with siblings
Providing Meals / gift cards for family
Scentsy Buddies

18. Anticipated Death How do we support the family? Make a Wish
Dream Factory
Family Photos
Planting of Tree
Buddy Bench

19. After Care and Follow Up
Trigger Dates
Remembering vs. Remaining

20. Conclusion
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Support this year’s Annual Project through raffles, Monday reserved seating, poker run, project walk, and service project.
Make plans to participate in evening activities:
Hospitalities & Poker Run from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.
Service Project Activity beginning at 7:00 p.m.
Trivia Night beginning at 7:00 p.m.
Project Walk beginning at 9:00 p.m.
Evening Social & Live Music beginning at 10:00 p.m.
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