NCJ Number
110003
Journal
Journal of Counseling and Development Volume: 65 Issue: 7 Dated: (March 1987) Pages: 389-390
Date Published
1987
Length
2 pages
Annotation
Five pupil service personnel in a small, midwestern school system combined their efforts in responding to student, teacher, and parent needs after a 14-year-old boy killed the principal and wounded two teachers and a student in a shooting spree.
Abstract
The pupil service team -- the counselor from each level (elementary, junior high, and senior high), the school nurse, and the school psychologist -- adopted a plan for helping students, faculty, and parents cope with the tragedy. The team members planned their schedules so that one member would always be available for students. The team identified the students and teachers most likely to need help; friends of persons involved in the shooting, children of the slain principal, and withdrawn students. Teachers were provided with information and consultation on how to talk to students about the incident. The team identified resource materials in the library and made them available to parents. The team met regularly to discuss members' own reactions to events associated with the tragedy. Schools should develop tactical plans for various kinds of crises that might impact a school, e.g., shootings, violent storms, suicides, and teacher and student deaths. 12 references.