E035 After A Death - 5 Tips For Schools
Apr 25th, 2016 | Episode 35
Dougy Center staff member, Joan Schweizer Hoff, joins Jana to talk about the top 5 things school administrators will want to consider when a student, teacher, or staff member dies.
Top 5 Things:
- Delivering the news - How do you let the community know? What do you say/not say?
- The first days back at school - Suggestions for supportive activities.
- Memorial activities - What types of memorials do schools consider? Is it better to do something temporary or permanent?
- Identifying students who need additional help - Why it’s important to pay attention to all students, not just those close to the person who died.
- Ongoing support - What can your school do in the short and long-term to be helpful to students and staff?
Additional resources:
Supporting the Grieving Student - DVD -
For samples of letters to send to staff/families and a school crisis response plan:
When Death Impacts Your School - A guide for school administrators
Tangible suggestions for teachers:
Helping the Grieving Student - a Guide for Teachers

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Grief Out Loud is supported in part by the Chester Stephan Endowment Fund in loving memory by the estate of Theodore R. Stephan.