Response to a Tragic Event
When a tragic event occurs on a school campus, students and adults will go through the five stages of grief – each in their own way. In a time of tragedy, it is important for your school community to pull together, foster dialogue designed to help process the event, and create organized support systems.
The following resources have been used by schools in response to a tragic event: death of a school community member, campus violence, natural disaster devastation, and substance abuse issues, amongst other things. We strongly recommend you contact local agencies and licensed professionals who specialize in the specific area of your response needs.
Featured Resources
The resources below are available to all schools without logging in.
Exclusive Resources for Dealing with a Tragic Event
LEADERSHIP CURRICULUM
Coping Strategies – A classroom lesson plan utilizing gamification activities to introduce various forms of coping strategies for varying types of stressors.
Navigating Difficult Conversations – A classroom lesson plan assisting in preparation for navigating delicate communications.
VIDEOS
Jostens Renaissance Virtual Conference Breakout – Leading in Times of Turmoil – Video on Demand coaching school leaders on preparing for and responding to moments of crisis.
Jostens Renaissance Virtual Conference Breakout – Mental Health – Video on Demand discussing how mental health can manifest in young men through a personal testimony by a high school administrator from Oregon.
Jostens Renaissance Virtual Conference Breakout – Therapy Dogs – Video on Demand of a Colorado Superintendent of Schools sharing his history with the use of therapy dogs in his schools.
IDEA EXCHANGE
Just Checking In Cards – Best practice for creating an organized system for students to support one another.
Paper Cranes – Help students process their grief or other large feelings by creating origami cranes of peace, based on the story of Sadako Sasaki – a survivor of the Japanese bombings who folded over 1,000 paper cranes.
PRODUCTS
Can We Talk Cards – Use these cards to create a fun and private way for students to let you know they need a conversation.
THE HARBOR
S.A.V.E. – Video-based lesson with discussion prompts showing members of the Suicide Awareness Voices of Education share warning signs of suicide. Contains dialogue related to suicide.
Kyler Erickson – This video-based lesson with discussion prompts features the survivor of a school shooting, Kyler Erickson. He shares how he felt, coped, and sought help following an act of violence on his school campus. Contains dialogue related to gun violence.
Substance Abuse – Video-based lesson with discussion prompts exploring the reasons why people use substances to cope. Contains dialogue related to gun violence, school shooting, suicidal ideations, and substance abuse.
Darius Glover – Video-based lesson with discussion prompts focused on finding inner strength to overcome personal loss and physical disability.
Consent – Video-based lesson with discussion prompts utilizing slam poetry to explore the topic of consent and its complexities. Contains dialogue related to consensual contact.
Austin Eubanks – Video-based lesson with discussion prompts featuring a survivor of the Columbine High School shooting, sharing his personal journey with substance addiction following the trauma of school violence. Contains dialogue related to gun violence, school shooting, suicidal ideations, and substance abuse.
COURAGEOUS CONVERSATIONS VIDEO SERIES
Mental Health – Watch this episode for insights and tips for making mental health an intentional priority every day.
Physical Fitness & Wellbeing – In this episode of Courageous Conversations, Dwight shares his wellbeing journey and shows us the connection between physical and mental wellness.
Self Care – In this episode of Courageous Conversations, Sara shares simple, yet impactful, tips for making our wellbeing a priority.
Mental Wellness – In this episode of Courageous Conversations, a few brave young people offer a peak inside their own mental wellness struggles and coping strategies.
Preparing for Life’s Transitions – In this episode of Courageous Conversations, a handful of young adults discuss their emotions and mindset as they face some big life transitions on the horizon.