Tragic Events Response

Rationale

"Death is a part of our life experience. It is inevitable that a school community will face this experience at some time. The effect of a death of a student or staff member can be a traumatic event. An established response plan to such an event can be a support to the school staff and students.

The educational system, as well as the family, provide models or standards of behaviour at the time of a tragic event. In the case of a death, school personnel have the opportunity to demonstrate appropriate bereavement responses. The focus of the bereavement response should be a demonstration of the ability to cope with the death while recognizing that life will and must go on."

Establishment of a Tragic Events Response Team

Each school should establish a Tragic Events Response Team early in the school year. While following procedures outlined in The Procedures and Guidelines for School Response to a Tragic Event, staff should be sensitive to the needs of the particular school community. The Tragic Events Response Team should be chaired by the principal and include the following personnel:

Assistant Superintendent, or Director, as applicable

Social workers and educational psychologists

Guidance Counsellor

Others as designated by the principal

 

Letter Regarding a Tragic Event

You may decide that it is appropriate to send a letter to parents of other students informing them of a tragic event. The letter may be directed to all parents, parents of students at the deceased's grade level or parents of classmates.

In the event of a serious accident involving students, a similar letter with modifications would be appropriate.

This letter should be brief and include:

• expressions of sympathy to the parents/guardians of the deceased;
  
  
• explanation of the facts surrounding the death, funeral arrangements and how the school will be handling attendance at the funeral (You may wish to request written parental permission for students to attend the funeral.);
  
  
• some details on the deceased person's background; and
  
  
• concluding comments which focus on support for the family.