Dear Parents and Guardians:
This past Friday, we were all deeply saddened by the events that took place in Connecticut. This senseless act resulted in unimaginable loss for many people. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Newtown, Conn., community and Sandy Hook Elementary School.
The safety of your children is our highest priority in Pea Ridge School District. We are currently reviewing our safety procedures so that we can be proactive and responsive in our own community. We are also working closely with our School Resource Officer (SRO), the Pea Ridge Police Department and a consultant to ensure we are doing everything we possibly can to ensure the safety of your child. Please know that our administrators, faculty and staff are committed to ensuring the safety of our students and staff by reviewing, updating and implementing our district’s Crisis Management Plan.
We would also like to share some tips/ideas for parents who may be working through fears your children may be having.
◊Focus on your children over the week followingthe tragedy. Tell them you love them and everything will be okay. Try to help them understand what has happened, keeping in mind their developmental level.
◊Make time to talk with your children. Remember, if you do not talk to your children about this incident someone else will. Take some time and determine what you wish to say.
◊Stay close to your children. Your physical presence will reassure them and give you the opportunity to monitor their reaction. Many children will want actual physical contact. Give plenty of hugs.
Let them sit close to you, and make sure to take extra time at bedtime to cuddle and to reassure them that they are loved and safe.
◊Limit your child’s television viewing of these events. If they must watch, watch with them for a brief time; then turn the set off.
Don’t sit mesmerized rewatching the same events over and over again.
◊Maintain a “normal” routine. To the extent possible stick to your family’s normal routine for dinner, homework, chores, bedtime, etc., but don’t be inflexible. Children may have a hard time concentrating on schoolwork or falling asleep at night.
◊Spend extra time reading or playing quiet games with your children before bed. These activities are calming, foster a sense of closeness and security, and reinforce a sense of normalcy. Spend more time tucking them in. Let them sleep with a light on if they ask for it.
◊Safeguard your children’s physical health.
Stress can take a physical toll on children as well as adults. Make sure your children get appropriate sleep, exercise and nutrition.
◊Consider praying or thinking hopeful thoughts for the victims and their families. It may be a good time to take your children to your place of worship, write a poem, or draw a picture to help your child express their feelings and feel that they are somehow supporting the victims and their families.
If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us.
SINCERELY,
Pea Ridge School District
School, Pages 6 on 12/19/2012