Emphasizing Tolerance | Emergency Response Plans

When the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center collapsed, more was shattered than buildings and the lives of those who died. Many people lost their sense of security and certainty, and their unquestioned feeling of invulnerability. Heroism has been redefined to include those who are working beyond the scope of duty and job description - the teachers and administrators in our schools who daily are transforming grief and hopelessness into the action so vital to healing. These adults struggle with their own grief and fear, yet they give comfort to their students.

With the knowledge of how difficult these efforts can be, we have done our best to provide the most timely assistance possible to the school districts and their children and families. Here is some of what you have told us:

• nothing has prepared anyone for an "event" of this magnitude;
• while the immediate crisis has passed, there are layers of grieving and loss still to come;
• the adults need help with their own responses in order to be available for the children;
• everyone has had a reaction to the attacks which is specific to them, regardless of whether they knew someone who died or were there themselves;
• people who survived when others in similar situations did not are experiencing survivor guilt; 
• responses may manifest themselves as an increase in risk behaviors such as alcohol and drug use, inattention, hostility or violence, other acting out - in both children and adults;
• training of adults in how to handle the myriad of feelings is a critical need;
• the identification of best practices to deal with catastrophic feelings - particularly in the classroom setting - is vital;
• depression, often accompanied by suicide attempts, is already being seen;
• security and the sense of possibility have, in many cases, been replaced by fear and hopelessness;
• effective debriefing is crucial to begin the healing process in every district and community; schools are serving as the focal point for this activity in many communities;
• concrete rituals for closure and healing are needed.

With the kinds of heroic efforts we've already seen, the mental, emotional and spiritual fabric of daily life will not remain in tatters. To assist you and your school community in dealing with the emotional effects of recent events, we offer the following:

• Coping with Disaster - Tips for Adults
• Reactions And Guidelines For Children Following Trauma/Disaster
• Addressing Mental Health in the Aftermath of the Terrorist Attacks - Human Resources
• Addressing Mental Health through Action: Dealing with Grief, Anger and Fear; Selected Web-Based Curricular Resources For Teachers, Parents and All Adults with Children in Their Lives
• Comprehensive Health and Pupil Services (CHAPS) website at http://www.emsc.nysed.gov/rscs/chaps/CHAPS Crisis Response Page.html

The Department is committed to offering you the best resources available and to providing timely responses to your needs, both current and emerging. To that end, I urge you to continue to communicate with me and my staff so that our work is reflective of the realities that you face in the days, weeks and months to come. The ripple effect of the attacks in New York City, Washington and Pennsylvania may just be beginning. Through the vigilance of you, your staff and the families and communities you represent, we will heal and grow stronger. I thank you and your school communities for every effort you have made; I thank you in advance for your continued actions.