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Dear friends in Christ,
On April 20, 1999, the school massacre in Littleton, Colorado left the
entire country in grief, mourning, soul-searching and self-examination.
Now, schools are about to reopen for the fall term. Parents, educators,
and other adults once again face the challenge of establishing a sense of
security and peace for children being reared in a violent society.
I have asked Anna E. Eissfeldt (Licensed School Psychologist) and Carrie
Weiss (Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist) to write a brief resource
that would assist - from a Christian perspective - adults in this task.
They have produced this three-page article, "Perspectives on Violence,"
which I am pleased to offer to you.
May God provide wisdom and blessings as we enter the new school year.
In Christ,
Gil Furst
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PERSPECTIVES ON VIOLENCE
LOSS, SUFFERING, HEALING, GROWING...TURNING POINTS...
As the new school year begins, we look back to our experiences of
Columbine, Conyers, GA and the many "copycat" incidents throughout the
country. The shift in American society to unrest, anger, and unstable
family life has led to more and more violence in our schools. This shift
has many victims-chief of whom are our children. Nearly three million
crimes occur on or near schools every year (Southeastern Regional Vision
Center, 1992). One hundred thousand students are reported to carry guns
to school. (National Education Association 1993) and one million, two
hundred thousand latchkey children arrive at home where there are guns
(Children Defense Fund). We often, like Job, feel like saying: "Behold I
cry out, Violence! But I am not answered. I call aloud, but there is no
justice." (Job 19:7)
When trauma happens to children, or is witnessed by children, their natural
reaction is fear. That fear is not merely for themselves, but becomes
generalized to others for whom they care and are attached. The world, all
at once, becomes a place that is frightening and full of harm. Parents,
teachers, and other adults are primary to children re-establishing a sense
of security and peace.
The Christian parent and the Christian educator must be prepared for
troubling times. Translating the Lord's love and peace to children is a
step in changing a violent society. We can teach our children that they
can talk out, rather than fight out, their anger. We can shelter them from
the storm of violence when possible; and when that is not possible. We
have the faith resources to walk with them through the aftermath. Jesus
said, "Peace I leave you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the
world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."
(John 14:27)
WAYS PARENTS CAN HELP THEIR CHILDREN IN VIOLENT TIMES
* Spend time with your child. Just being with them denotes protection,
love, and security. It says "I care for you, I'm here."
* Listen to and observe your child's thoughts and emotions. For young
children, help them label their feelings, such as mad feelings, sad
feelings, glad feelings, and scared feelings. Perhaps use pictures to help
them tell how they feel. For teenagers, share with them what you might
have been feeling in the situation ... or that many people would have
similar feelings in that situation.
* As adults, we may also have strong feelings about a traumatic event.
Because of our bond with our children, it is often hard for us to listen
and share when we also are hurting.
* Together, share your fears and concerns with Christ.
WAYS SCHOOLS CAN HELP DURING VIOLENT TIMES
* Develop a school crisis plan so that the school can respond appropriate
and in Christian love.
* Select and train a crisis team.
* Develop a crisis communication system.
* A signal for children to stay inside the room or building.
* A signal to return to the room or building.
* A signal to fall to the ground in the event of an attack.
* A communication procedure for working with the media
* Prepare a building plan. What changes or adjustments are needed to meet
a crisis situation?
* Develop a lock-down procedure.
* Develop a flowchart of responsibilities. Who is in charge? Of what?
* Train staff in crisis intervention and classroom defusing techniques.
* Study church and school policies and procedures. Know your basic legal
rights.
* Be aware of at-risk children in the school. Watch for warning signs.
* Warning signs of youth associated with violent death.
* Resorts to name calling or abusive language
* Makes violent threats when angry
* History of tantrums and uncontrollable angry outbursts
* Previously brought a weapon to school
* Background of serious disciplinary problems at school and in the
community
* Drug, alcohol, or substance abuse
* On the fringe of the peer group with few or no close friends
* Preoccupied with weapons, explosives, or other incendiary devices
* Been truant, suspended or expelled
* Displays cruelty to animals
* Little or no supervision and support from parents or a caring adult
* Witnessed or victim of abuse or neglect
* Blames others for difficulties and problems
* Partner with and support the parents and caregivers of at risk children.
* Mentor at risk children.
HELPFUL THOUGHTS FROM SCRIPTURE
John 1: 1-5: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and
the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God, and all things were
made through him, and without him was not anything made that was made. In
him was life, and the life was the light of people. The light shines in
the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
And the Light, Jesus, tells us in John 16: 34: In the world you have
troubles; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.
St. Paul speaks to us in Romans 12: 9-12: Let love be genuine; hate what is
evil, hold fast to what is good; love one another with brotherly affection;
outdo one another in showing honor. Never flag in zeal, be aglow with the
Spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in your hope, be patient in troubles, be
constant in prayer.
And in I John 4: 5: For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and
this is the victory that overcomes the world, our faith. Who is it that
overcomes the world, but he who believes in Jesus as the Son of God.
In conclusion, we can hold fast to our hope, be patient in troubles, hate
what is evil, hold fast to what is good, and be zealous in our love and
service to God and his people. We can be vessels through whom the Light
shines and the darkness will not overcome.
For additional information on crisis team training workshops and materials,
please contact God's Care in Times of Crisis. Program Administrator: The
Rev. Richard Eissfeldt, 727-347-7276, <[log in to unmask]>
Program Coordinator: The Rev. R. Richard Armstrong, 727-527-1168
<[log in to unmask]>
God's Care In Times of Crisis is partially funded by Wheat Ridge Ministries
HELPFUL RESOURCES FROM THE WEB
* Safe Schools Manual: <www.nea.org>
* Sandy Steingart's School Psychology web site: especially the section on
School Safety and Violence
<http://www.bcpl.net/~sandyste/school-psych.html>
* American Psychological Association: <www.apa.com>
* Safe and Drug Free Schools Program <www.ed.gov/offices/oese/sdfs/>
* National School Safety Center: <www.nssc1.org>
* Center For The Prevention Of School Violence: <www.ncsu.edu/cpsv/>
* National Association of School Psychologists: <www.nasp.org>
God's blessings as you enter the new school year.
Anna E. Eissfeldt, N.C.S.P. Carrie Weiss, M.A.
Licensed School Psychologist Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
Reprinted with permission of Lutheran Disaster Response, a cooperative
ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and The Lutheran
Church-Missouri Synod.
=======================================================================
GILBERT B. FURST (written on Thu, Aug 5, 1999, at 4:20 pm) Director, ELCA
Domestic Disaster Response (Division for Church in Society), Lutheran
Disaster Response (a cooperative ministry of the ELCA and LCMS) 8765 W.
Higgins Rd., Chicago 60631 PHONE: 773-380-2822 FAX: 773-380-2493 Visit
our website: www.elca.org/dcs/disaster
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