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School Safety and Gun Violence

Thursday, December 1, 2022

6-7:30 pm

BSD Office of Equity Virtual Workshop Series 2022-23

Welcome! As you arrive take a moment to introduce yourself in the chat and share something that gives you joy.

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BSD 2022-23 Equity Virtual Community Workshop Series

Addressing the Elephant in the Classroom; Mental Health

Wednesday, January 11, 2023 6-7:00 pm

Celebrating Student Leadership @ BSD

Wednesday, April 19, 2023 6-7 pm

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NEW this year!

Office of Equity offers in Person LGBTQ+ Workshops Series

LGBTQIA+ 101 WORKSHOPS: *Offered once a month starting in January Times and Dates TBC
LGBTQIA+ Words Matter! Wed 1/18/23 5:30-6:30 pm
LGBTQ+ in Schools Tues 2/7/23 5:30-6:30 pm
Let’s Talk about Gender and Pronouns Wed 3/8/23 5:30-6:30 pm

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Agenda

Introduction
Things to Note and Goals
Why is this important?
Connections with Equity
See Something, Say Something
Options-based responses per AOE *Agency of Education
Howard Center - How to talk about Gun Violence with Young People
Restorative Circle

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Things to Note:

This is an important but challenging topic. Some of the information shared may be troubling. We invite you to take care of your needs.
Please mute your mics.
This is a non-partisan conversation focusing on school safety. This is not a space to discuss politics.
Add any comments or questions to the chat.
The end of the virtual workshop will be a participatory conversation in a breakout room. Please be prepared to engage in discussion.

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Goals for tonight’s conversation:

Acknowledge concerns and validate feelings
Reassure community about school safety
Review school safety procedures
Share resources
Make the time to talk about fears and impact

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Why is this important?

National Data

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Why is this important?

Increase in Gun Violence in Burlington

Since 2012, there have been 64 gunfire incidents in Burlington.
The majority - 23 gunfire incidents -- have happened since January 2022.
From 2012-2019, there was an average of 2 gunfire incidents per year.
From 2012-2020, there was an average of 1 homicide per year
There have been 4 homicides in 2022

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How does this topic connect with “Equity”?

Black people are a little more that 1% of state population, but make up 8.5% of Vermont’s incarcerated population

Some gun violence in BTV has had direct connections to BSD youth and New American community

Warning Shots: Burlington's Immigrant Community Seeks Solutions to the Gun Violence That Is Claiming Youths | Crime | Seven Days | Vermont's Independent Voice

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Data on School Threats at BSD

Examples:

Posting on social media with a firearm
Verbally threatening to harm self or others
Bringing a toy gun to school

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See Something, Say Something

In BSD we teach the students that if they See Something, Say Something
Who should you report an incident to?
AOE recommends that schools use Threat Assessments to follow up on concerning info shared to a staff member
There is evidence that reported info has helped stop active threats in schools.

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Emergency Response Procedures in BSD

Each building has a Safety Team
District Safety Team meetings are monthly
District is creating a Crisis Response team
In addition to our Emergency procedures, outlined on the BSD website, the District is using an Options Based Response to a crisis or emergency situation per guidance from the AOE

(These can be found on www.bsdvt.org - choose any school, Resources, Emergency Procedures)

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Post-vention Responsive Work

Sample

*Responding to School Shootings Circle

Purpose: To hold space for processing the school shooting in Uvalde Texas. The disbelief and grief over the horrific tragedy at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas is enormous. We hold the families of the victims, the school staff, and their community in our hearts. You are safe and this event happened very far away. Whatever you are feeling is normal. If you feel anxious or worried, tell your teacher. We are here for you so let us know if you need to speak with someone. We are here to help.

Round 1: What are your feelings about what happened?

Round 2: What do you need to feel safe and supported?

Round 3: What can you do to support your peers who might be struggling with this news?

Crisis Response

Learning Pathways

Partnership with School Counselors and Howard Center

Each building has a School Safety Team

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Taking care of ourselves during times of stress

Taking care of ourselves allows us to process our feelings and thoughts related to traumatic events which in turn enables us to show up in a regulated and calm way for our kids.
Put on your oxygen mask first!
You don’t have to be perfect or have all the answers. Making an effort to have the conversation shows children that you have the capacity to handle their big feelings and emotions around difficult topics.

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General Tips for Hard Conversations

Take time to respond to children when their worries arise – encourage kids to share what they are thinking and how they are feeling.
Help kids know what to expect and give them some choices. Feeling that you have control over a situation helps to reduce worries and fears.
Share age appropriate information. One way to move past a fear is to get more information about it.
Monitor scary media coverage. Images and stories that are meant for adult consumers should be monitored.

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Strategies for having developmentally-appropriate conversations

Prek-K/Kindergarten:

Keep it concise and simple. For example, someone might say, “Someone with a serious illness felt angry and hurt people.” It can be helpful to focus on the “helpers” with any age group (i.e. the first responders, the “heroes”)
Assure the child that grown ups are working hard to keep everyone safe and that there are lots of helpers in the world.
Make sure to carve out time to play and spend time together.

Elementary School:

Identify a “takeaway” message. Children in this age group may ask more questions. It’s ok to say that you don’t know. Limit the news (t.v, radio, etc), social media and pictures of the event.
Make time to connect, engage in play & spend time together.

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Middle School:

Ask if your child has heard about what happened, what they know and if they have any questions. Listen to their feelings and be available to them to help them process their emotions.
Make time to connect (play a game, go to a store, go for a walk, make a gratitude journal together) and spend time with one another.

High School/Teenagers:

Ask what your teen knows about the event and how they are feeling. Teenagers are more likely to want action and solutions. Support them in identifying ways in which to do this. Teaching teenagers how to work towards change will support them in being resilient.
Make time to connect and spend time with one another. Carve out time throughout the week to check in.

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Additional Information

*Sometimes it’s hard for kids to hear certain things from their parents but having other adults share the same message can be impactful. Don’t hesitate to reach out to your child’s school team (school counselor, school social worker, multilingual liaisons), medical team and/or community leaders if you feel your child needs more support.

Local community mental health resources for additional help:

Howard Center Access and Intake Line- 802-488-6000
First Call for Chittenden County- 802-488-7777
211 for information and referrals to community supports

Links for more information for supporting kids around community violence:

https://sesamestreetincommunities.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/ResourcesForProviders.pdf

https://www.pbs.org/newshour/health/how-to-help-kids-cope-with-the-violence-they-hear-about-on-the-news

https://www.sandyhookpromise.org/blog/community-resources/how-to-help-children-cope-with-a-gun-violence-tragedy/

https://sesamestreetincommunities.org/subtopics/community-gun-violence/

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Restorative Circle

Share your name, your relationship to Burlington School District, and how are you doing after hearing tonight’s presentation?
What impact do you think gun violence is having on our schools and community?
What safety concerns do you have?
What else do you think schools should be doing to help keep students safe?

Circle Script for tonight’s script