Community Involvement/Support

Parents - Ask your children the following questions and listen:

• Are you fearful to return to school? Why?
• Do you feel school is unsafe? Why?
• What needs to happen to make your school safe?
• What would you be willing to do?

(If bullying and harassment comments surface, refer to bullying/harassment questions from Tip 1)

Children ask your parents the following questions:

• Do you think the school is safe?
• How did you handle being picked on or harassed?
• What are some ways that I can handle it?
• Can you help me make my school safer? (What will you do?)

Suggestions that parents/students can do to help make the school safer:

• Become a volunteer as part of your school safety plan
• Develop a school safety campaign (poster contest, poetry, etc.)
• Develop a "when not to keep the secret" campaign - emphasizing the importance of reporting all comments of potential violent acts to an adult
• Develop a school safety team with students, parents, staff
• Develop an assistance program for victims of harassment

Coping Skills for Youth:

• Journal writing
• Drawing
• Listening to music
• Prayer
• Quiet time close to nature
• Access resources in your community
• Talk to a friend/mentor/parent/clergy
• Sports, dance, walking — physical activity
• Express feelings of sadness, pain, confusion, anger, stress
• Add your own

We hope this information will assist you and your children establish a meaningful level of dialogue — expressing and addressing concerns and fears relating to the recent incident in Santana High School.

If you need additional assistance dealing with this issue, please contact your local school or your community health professional.