As a high school assistant principal, I was called into a neighboring high school the morning that a 17-year-old student entered the school cafeteria prior to school and shot 27 students. The initial crisis was severe, and the lives of students and faculty were changed forever.
After the crisis, it became apparent that the trauma, grieving, anxiety, depression, survivors’ guilt and suicide were long-lasting. The school needed a long-term crisis plan to address the severity of the unfortunate situation. Counselors, social workers, nurses and community caregivers were added to school staff in order to assist students and staff for years.
A school shooting affects those involved significantly. After the television stories have moved on from the school, please remember that it still suffers. Please do what you can to support.