Seriously!

[Jodi]

I teach in what is considered an inner city school in Canada. Recently, there was a shooting (not on a school day) on our property. 2 men were killed and when students, parents and staff were coming to school today, the road was still blocked off by police and investigators. We needed to park far away from the school and then walk in. This, in itself, was very jarring, to say the least. I am frustrated by the fact that our administration came on the PA that morning and told the students that they would be seeing police cars and police in the building, but it was business as usual. Huh?! Seriously! I was shocked and so were many colleagues that he did not take the time to speak to staff members at all during the day, nor did he address the students about what had happened. I find this a little disturbing, but not surprising based on his past behaviour. Anyone else have this happen to them? What do you say to the kids? One student said as we were walking in the school, "Ah, man. I'm freaked out. I'm scare to be here!" Ah, yeah, kid-me too!

 

[Miss C]

Eek!

Sounds like it was definitely handled poorly. Are there a lot of grades in your building? Maybe administration wasn't sure how to address it so that it was appropriate for all of the age groups represented. Anyway, I would tell the students exactly what happened and then tell them that the police are around just to make sure that the school is safe and that there won't be any problems. Hopefully that will make them feel better. Keep us posted!

 

[javamomma]

poorly handled

I agree it was poorly handled.

 

[musicbug]

Unreal!!!

If you don't have enough information, just state there was an incident. The police will be on campus. Avoid the areas where the officers are working if possible. Please, tell your staff first so that everyone is on the same page. Never leave your staff flying. We're the ones the kids ask not the admin.I'm sorry for all the confusion and hassle you put up with today.

 

[Marmie]

Hey Jodi,
I don't know if you are in Toronto or another city. What a scary day for you and the kids. I used to teach in inner city T.O years ago, but it was never the way it is now. So much violence! I think Admin should have at least talked to staff during the day. How can you calm the children's anxieties if you have no info to go on?
I'm sure the students were very curious about the police presence.
No help, sorry. Just a friendly ((hug.))
Take Care, Marmie

 

[Jodi]

Thought of That

The school is a k-8 school-usually whenever there is any type of assembly, it is done first with k-5 and then 6-8. So, I think that he could have done the same thing for this situation. From what I understand, the school board chose the business as usual and there were apparently grief counsellors/social workers available-really?! That would have been nice to know, since I was scared out of my wits about being in the neighbourhood. I did speak to students and actually read them one of the brief articles so they could do a reflection in their journals. It was interesting to hear some of the stuff that they had gone through over the 2 days that the road was blocked off (ie. house searches, cops around all the time looking for evidence, seeing the cover over the body etc.).

 

[Jodi]

Thanks

Just a brief "Thanks"-I needed that! (Yes, I am in Toronto)