Extension > Family > Families with Teens > Violence in Our Schools
Violence in Our Schools
The news of yet another tragic school shooting has affected us all. We think of the lives lost and the people touched by this violence and grief. We face unanswered questions: Why did this happen? Could this have been prevented? Can this happen here?
These resources guide families, schools, and communities as they help youth recover from school violence.
Recovering From Violence | Violence Prevention | Additional Resources for Educators
Recovering From Violence
University of Minnesota Extension
- School Shootings: Parents Should Talk to Children — Parents should "check in" with children of every age after a school shooting.
- Helping Children Through Grief — Children need the help of parents and other caring adults to deal with difficult emotions.
- My Friend Died and I Didn't Even Get a Chance To Say Goodbye — Practical tips to help a child grieve the loss of a friend.
- Taking the Terror out of School Shootings — School shootings raise a lot of questions for children and the grown-ups who care for them.
- What if the Next Shooting Is at My School? (217 K PDF) — Teen Talk Fact Sheet reviews tips for talking to your teen about this serious issue. English (217 K PDF) | Spanish (575 K PDF)
- Bullying: A Big Problem with Big Consequences— Teen Talk Fact Sheet reviews the research and what can be done about bullying. English (360 K PDF) | Spanish (273 K PDF)
Other Resources
- Resources for Talking to Children About Violence — AMBIT Network; University of Minnesota Extension — Listing of resourcs to help make high quality care more accessible for traumatized children and families.
- Talking with Children When the Talking Gets Tough — Purdue Extension — Practical tips for talking to children about tragedies.
- Dear Neighbors: A Course on Helping — Kansas State Extension — Online course to learn skills to help when someone is suffering.
- Purple Wagon — Purdue University — A website for people interested in parents' and chidlren's exploration of war, terrorism, and peacemaking.
- Navigating Children's Grief: How to Help Following a Death — Children's Grief Education Association — Chart that reviews age-appropriate responses to difficult events.
- School Safety and Crisis Resources — National Association of School Psychologists — Resources to promote the ability of children and youth to cope with traumatic or unsettling events.
- Talking To Your Children About Violence Against Kids — Family Resource Center: Children's Hospital and Clinics for Family Information Services — Practical advice for parents.
- Specific Strategies for Talking With Your Kids About the Tragedy in Connecticut — Childrens Mental Health Network — Talking points for parents when discussing the tragedy.
- Helping Your Children Manage Distress in the Aftermath of a Shooting — American Psychological Association — Tips to help children manage distress.
- What Parents Can Do: Helping Children and Adolescents Cope with Violence and Disasters — National Institute of Mental Health — Booklet helps parents of children exposed to violence or disaster.
- Helping Traumatized Children: A Brief Overview for Caregivers — The ChildTrauma Academy — Booklet assists parents, caregivers, teachers, and various professionals working with maltreated and traumatized children.
- Terrorism — The National Child Traumatic Stress Network — Fact sheets about talking to different aged children, understanding media exposure, and restoring a sense of safety.
- Responding to a Crisis — Center for Mental Health in School — Resources include a crisis response checklist, toolkit for psychological first aid for schools, and an outline for the school's role in addressing loss.
Violence Prevention
University of Minnesota Extension
- Keys to Quality Youth Development — Positive youth development can curb youth-on-youth and youth-on-adult violence.
- Circle of Support — Community-wide prevention and intervention program addressing adolescent depression and self-destructive behavior.
- What if the Next Shooting Is at My School? (217 K PDF) — Teen Talk Fact Sheet reviews tips for talking to your teen about this serious issue. English (217 K PDF) | Spanish (575 K PDF)
- Bullying: A Big Problem with Big Consequences — Teen Talk Fact Sheet — Reviews the research and what can be done about bullying. English (360 K PDF) | Spanish (273 K PDF)
- Bullying: A Big Problem with Big Consequences (Teen Talk Take and Teach CD) — CD of easy-to-use resources for professionals who work with teens and their parents.
- Have you talked with your teen today? — Teen Talk Fact Sheet gives reasons for parents to keep in communication with their teen. English (784 K PDF) | Spanish (193 K PDF)
Other Resources
- ACT Against Violence — American Psychological Association — Resources to help raise safe kids and build strong families.
- Warning Signs of Youth Violence — American Psychological Association — Know the signs to help prevent violence.
- Fight Crime: Invest in Kids — A law enforcement and victims of violence organization.
- School Violence Prevention and Intervention — Center for Effective Collaboration and Practice — Guides for safe schools and assessing threats. Includes resources in Spanish and screenreader accessible, text-only version.
- Early Warning Timely Response: A Guide to Safe Schools — U.S. Department of Education — Comprehensive guide for schools about qualities of a safe school, how to recognize warning signs, getting help, and responding to crisis.
- Student Pledge Against Gun Violence — National observance giving students a chance to sign a voluntary promise that they will never carry a gun to school and take a proactive stance in reducing gun violence.
Additional Resources for Educators
University of Minnesota
- TeenLink — A guide to resources on teen issues, like violence and bullying.
- Children, Youth, and Family Consortium (CYFC) — Aims to educate professionals, translate research, and generate knowledge to enhance practice and inform policies that positively influence the education and health of children, youth, and families.
- National Alliance for Safe Schools — Non-profit-organization dedicated to the belief that no child should go to school in fear.
- CYFERnet — Children, Youth and Families Education and Research Network — Practical research-based information from the nation's leading universities. Includes resources on risk behaviors and crisis.
- Conflict Resolution Education: A Guide to Implementing Programs in Schools, Youth-Serving Organizations, and Community and Juvenile Justice Settings — U.S. Departments of Justice and Education — A comprehensive guide for implementing programs that prevent violence.
