School Safety for Families

In an Emergency

Call 911 and request a Crisis Intervention Trained (C.I.T.) response or go to the closest emergency room. If you have a non-emergency concern about school safety, call and/or email your school administration. Additional resources include:

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
English: 1-800-273-8255
Español: 888-628-9454
TTYY: 800-799-4889
Online chat: suicidepreventionlifeline.org

Crisis Text Hotline
 Text “Hello” or “Home” to 741741

StarVista Crisis Hotline
1-650-579-0350

National Domestic Violence Hotline
1-800-799-7233
www.thehotline.org

Trevor Lifeline LGBTQQ+ Crisis Support
1-866-488-7386 

Parent Resources

The TALK Line
415-441-KIDS

StarVista Parent Support Line
888-220-7575 

• Going Back to School After a Tragedy (Child Mind Institute)
• Caring for Kids After a School Shooting (Child Mind Institute)
• Helping Your Children Manage Distress in the Aftermath of a Shooting (American Psychological Association)
• Coping in the Aftermath of a Shooting (American Counseling Association)
• Helping Youth After Community Trauma: Tips for Educators  (The National Child Traumatic Stress Network)
• Talking to Children about the Shooting (The National Child Traumatic Stress Network) (The National Child Traumatic Stress Network)
• Trauma and Disaster Mental Health (American Counseling Association) (American Counseling Association)
• Managing your distress in the aftermath of a shooting (American Psychological Association) (American Psychological Association)
• Talking to Children About Violence: Tips for Parents and Teachers (Resources in multiple languages) (National Association of School Psychologists)

Caregivers and educators can help children and youth feel safe during international conflicts by helping them understand what is going on factually, how events do or do not affect their lives, and how to manage their emotional reactions.

Provide Developmentally Appropriate Explanations

The National Association of School Psychologists  shares the following tips to provide developmentally appropriate explanations:

Elementary

• Let children's questions tell you what information they need. Don't assume they are concerned about the same things you are.
• Avoid offering unnecessary frightening details.
• Provide brief, simple information with reassurance. One way to do this is with the use of a broadening technique for responding to questions (e.g., "It sounds like you have some concerns about what's next. Let's talk about how our school/community/country is striving to keep us safe.").
• Clarify misconceptions or misinformation.

Upper Elementary and Early Middle School

• Answer questions and assist in separating reality from fantasy.
• Specify the protective actions of adults.

Upper Middle and High School

• Emphasize youth's role in safety at home and at school and how to access support.
• Validate feelings and thoughts, and provide the facts needed to appraise the degree of personal threat. The NASP document "Responding to Civil Unrest in Schools" may be a helpful reference resource.
• Should youth request it, allow for conversations about political dimensions of the conflict.

Additional Considerations

The degree to which individuals are affected by the international conflict will vary. During conflicts like these, it is important to protect children and youth from bullying and harassment caused by misdirected anger. Promoting and modeling compassion and acceptance can help prevent a tragic situation from becoming worse.

Possible Emotional Responses

Emotional responses to unsettling circumstances vary in nature and severity from individual to individual. Nonetheless, there are some common reactions that individuals feel when their lives are affected by violence related to international conflict:

• Fear: Fear may be the predominant reaction. This can include fear for the safety for themselves, their families, friends, and the population at large.
• Loss of control: The current world events are something over which people have little control. Lack of control can be overwhelming and confusing. Youth may grasp at any control that they have, including refusing to cooperate, go to school, part with favorite toys, or leave their caregivers.
• Anger: Anger is a common reaction. Unfortunately, anger is often expressed at those to whom youth are closest. Youth may direct anger toward classmates, caregivers, and neighbors. Anger often masks other emotions so adults can help youth identify and manage their underlying feelings.
• Loss of stability: Youth can feel insecure when their usual schedules and activities are disrupted, increasing their level of stress and need for reassurance.
• Isolation: Youth may feel isolated, or as if they're the only one having the feelings they do.
• Confusion: Youth may feel confused about the current conflict, what further dangers might arise, and when the violence will stop. Youth may have trouble understanding the difference between violence as entertainment or in video games and the real events taking place on the news. Some of the modern media violence is unnervingly real. Youth may have difficulty separating reality from fantasy, cartoon heroes and villains from the government soldiers. Separating the realities from media fantasy may require adult help.
• Hypervigilance: Some youth and families may feel desperate to get information about the status of family and other connections. This may cause preoccupation in thoughts, worry, and a desire to constantly scan news sources for any information about the events in the region. This may result in difficulties focusing, sleeping, and being emotionally available for school.

Is your family prepared for an earthquake? Make sure your home is ready by securing moveable items and by having an earthquake kit prepared. Totally Unprepared shares what should be included in an earthquake kit and the American Red Cross encourages families to create a Family Disaster Plan. Learn about the natural hazards that exist in your neighborhood on the Cal EMA "MyHazards" website.

Seven Steps to Earthquake Safety (Earthquake Country Alliance)

USGS Earthquake Handbook for the San Francisco Bay Region

USGS Protecting Your Family From Earthquakes - The Seven Steps to Earthquake Safety

Earthquake Preparedness Infographic

Homeowner's Guide to Earthquake Safety

The Great California ShakeOut

Recommended Earthquake Safety Actions For Parents and Care Providers of Young Children & Infants

Preparing Children for Earthquakes

Cal OES - Earthquake Preparedness

Earthquake Safety Guide