Responding to Traumatic Events

When a traumatic event occurs in our schools, the building administrator and Building Emergency Response Team (BERT) team will assess the situation and, if necessary, call in the Mobile Response Team, consisting of trained professionals, for additional support. 

The BERT team, and Mobile Response Team as needed, will follow a structured response plan. The team helps provide compassionate, organized support to staff, students, and families, addressing the varied emotional impacts while ensuring that those in need receive appropriate care. This approach allows the school community to begin healing in a supportive environment, with referrals made for ongoing care outside of the school as needed.

The response plan has been outlined in the: Responding to Traumatic Events Checklist 

• Mobile Response Team Buddy Schools 

Some documents to support students include: 

• Grounding Activities  

• Coping with Death

• Coping with Trauma

• Create Sympathy Cards

• Grief Coloring Pages and Art Ideas

• Journaling 

• Links to Online Books

• Positive Affirmations: Dealing with Death or Trauma 

• Sentence Starters: Help Express Feelings  

Additoinal resouces included: 

• Community Agencies and Trauma/Crisis Resources

• Cultural Considerations

• Guidelines for Helping Students and Staff Deal with a Death or Traumatic Event

• Utilizing District Educational Equity Specialists    

• If Someone You Know is Suicidal

• Homicide Resource 

• Commemorate the Life of a Deceased Student / Staff Member