Dear Colleagues,

We’ve had a couple of questions about how or whether schools should acknowledge the terrorist attacks in Paris this weekend. Of course, we are all saddened by this horrible incident, the lives that were lost, and the negative impact it will have on our world, especially our children.

As a public school system, we will abide by directions from our governmental leaders at the State and Federal levels as to formal acknowledgement of Paris. President Obama has ordered that American flags fly at half-staff at buildings and grounds across the country in a show of mourning and solidarity until sunset on November 19.

Many of your students who are more cognizant about the attacks will have reactions to it. If students have dealt with trauma in the past, they often have feelings awakened by the 24-hour media coverage of such an event. I’m sure your school counselors are already prepared to help when this happens, and I suggest a quick conversation about it with your counselor(s).

With regard to classroom conversations, it is important to be sensitive and factual in your discussion of the terrorist attacks, particularly why they happened. It is also important to be sensitive to the diversity of student backgrounds related to the international participants (aggressors and victims) in the attacks in our classrooms and schools.

Pretty much all of elementary and middle schools have time built in for conversations with students about what is on their minds. My recommendation is not to initiate discussions with younger students about the incident. If a child brings it up, I suggest the following tips. These pointers will also come in handy for conversations with older students.

• Ask students what they already know. This will give you a good gauge for how to approach the discussion and what your students may or may not be ready to hear. Additionally, factor in your knowledge and experience with this particular group of students, as far as their maturity levels.
• Stick to the basic facts. Don’t embellish, politicize, or get emotional when describing the situation to your students. State the facts and explain what makes this situation sad.
• Focus on small positives. Emphasize how some of the events as part of the incident inspired you (and many citizens) to love one another more and appreciate life more. Talk about the acts of altruism and heroism that arose as a result of the tragic events.
• Refer them back to their parents. Similar to when you’re discussing tragic current events with your students (the tips at this link are excellent), you should try to leave the bulk of the interpretation and context to your students’ parents. Tell the children that if they have any further questions, they should ask their mom or dad when they get home from school.

The events in Paris may inspire some of your students to want to take action to show support or to help. This is natural, and it is a possible positive outcome of what is an awful experience. Student-initiated efforts that are facilitated by school teachers and leadership can be very powerful. Use the guidance provided above, as well as School Board Policy INB, Teaching About Controversial Issues, as your guide, and please discuss ideas that your students have with your principal or department leader.

I hope this information helps,

Matt

Matthew S. Haas, Ed.D.
Assistant Superintendent