Yesterday there was a tragic shooting event in Lewiston, Maine, resulting in the loss of lives. As members of the Maple Run community, we are deeply saddened by the incident. We have members of our community who have close ties to the Lewiston area. Your child may mention this incident to you, it is important for us all to be prepared to support them as they may feel anxious over this traumatic event.
If your child mentions the incident here are some important points to touch upon:
Be available to talk to them
Validate feelings for example: “Yes, that was scary.” or “I can understand if you feel worried about what happened.” Avoid using invalidating statements such as: “Don’t worry about it.” or “Everything is fine.”
Reinforce that we are safe right now. There are always people who are ready, trained, and prepared to help in situations like this (police, firefighters)
Limit media viewing of this event
Maintain a normal routine
Utilize talking points from the National Association of School Psychologists: “Talking to Children About Violence: Tips for Parents and Teachers”
We encourage parents/caregivers and staff to reach out to their school counselors or Northwestern Counseling and Support Services (24/7 Crisis Line 802-524-6554) for any additional support.
I want to assure you that our Maple Run Safety Team is committed to providing a safe learning environment for all of our students and staff throughout our buildings. Please know that the safety and security of students, staff, and visitors to all Maple Run Schools is a top priority.
Take care of yourselves, hug your children, and think about how we can support others as they are going through traumatic times.
Thinking of our children, families, and staff.
Bill Kimball