Supporting Students and Families Following Tragic News from British Columbia

Dear DDSB Families, 

Today, we join Canadians in solemn reflection following the tragic incident at a school in British Columbia. In recognition of this loss and in solidarity with the affected community, flags at the Education Centre will be lowered to half-mast. 

We recognize that news of this nature can be difficult to process and may prompt questions or conversations at home with your child/children. 

Please know that the safety and well-being of students remain our highest priority and although our schools continue to operate as usual, school-based staff are available to support students who may need someone to speak with. The day-to-day connections with the adults they know serve as a foundation for community and relationship building and can help with maintaining a sense of stability 

If you or your child would benefit from additional support, please reach out to your child’s school administrators, teachers, or other trusted adults who can help connect you with a member of our Psychological Services and/or Social Work Services teams.  You may also choose to connect directly with our teams through our online form. We understand that children and youth respond to difficult news in different ways, and we will continue to be attuned to their needs.   

In support of the conversations that you may have with your child(ren) in the coming days, consider the following: 

• Be mindful of the volume of media consumption related to this tragic event and related news.  Young people have broad access to more information than we are sometimes aware of, and even bringing attention to where they are receiving their information from can start a meaningful conversation 
• Be aware of conversations happening around your child that might be difficult for them to understand; conversations about these events should be appropriate to the age and stage of your child and responsive to their needs and questions 
• Foster open conversations with your child about their concerns and questions, and model healthy coping through stressful circumstances.  Naming our own emotions and sharing how we are planning to support our own wellbeing provides learning opportunities for children and youth 
• If you notice a significant shift in your child’s day-to-day routines, behaviours, or interactions, we invite you to reach out to consult with our team members about your concerns 

Thank you for your continued partnership in supporting student well-being. 

Sincerely,  

Camille Williams-Taylor 
Director of Education 
Durham District School Board