The 2002-2003 school year will mark the anniversary of a year that changed the lives of Americans forever. Americans of all backgrounds experienced feelings of grief and loss as a result of the traumatic events of September 11, 2001. Feelings of loss were experienced not only for friends and/or loved ones, but also for security, freedom, and safety.
As an integral part of the community, schools can help children and their families continue to heal from this tragedy and to understand their feelings and memories. It is anticipated that media coverage of the anniversary will be extensive. Helping our children understand the purpose of the attention given to these terrible events is a critical part of our work in helping children deal with a variety of life situations.

Symptoms
Reactions to trauma may be immediate or may not appear until weeks or even months later. No two individuals will react in the same manner nor will any two individuals need the same amount of time or attention to heal from it. The anniversary of a tragic event such as September 11 may reawaken intense emotions and reactions in youth whose initial reactions were acute or may cause acute reactions in youth who did not experience intense emotions and reactions when the event took place.

Additional societal stressors have also exacerbated the grief and loss issues with which many American families are dealing. For example, military deployments, financial losses, racial and religious tensions, and the ongoing war on terrorism continue to plague our nation and many of our families. As we move closer to the anniversary of the Attack on America, many Americans will experience feelings similar to those experienced when the event took place.

The following symptoms may still be seen in some children one year after the events of September 11, 2001:
Preschool Children:
· Fear of separation
· Excessive clinging
· Nightmares
· Sleeplessness
· Regressive behavior to earlier developmental stages
· Crying and other displays of emotion
· Aggressive and acting out behaviors
· Fear
· Overreaction to normal situations
Elementary School Children:
· Fear of separation
· Excessive clinging
· Nightmares
· Sleeplessness
· Regressive behavior to earlier developmental stages
· Crying and other displays of emotion
· Aggressive and acting out behaviors
· Fear
· Overreactions to normal situations
· School phobia (school avoidance)
· Disruptive behavior
· Withdrawal
· Psychosomatic symptoms (stomach aches, headaches, etc.)
· Drop in grades
· Loss of concentration
· Loss of trust in adults
Middle and High School Children:
· Fear of separation
· Sleep disturbances
· Aggressive and acting out behaviors
· Fear
· Overreaction to normal situations
· School phobia (school avoidance)
· Disruptive behavior
· Withdrawal
· Drop in grades
· Psychosomatic symptoms (stomach aches, headaches, etc.)
· Loss of concentration
· Loss of trust in adults
· Substance abuse (self-medication)
· Peer and relationship problems
· Anti-social behaviors
· Self destructive behaviors
· High-risk behaviors
· Feelings of paranoia, jumpiness, and nervousness

The following suggestions are provided to help parents, school administrators, and teachers deal with the anniversary of a crisis such as September 11, 2001.

Suggestions for parents:
· Permit your children to talk. Watch for clues and use different strategies to encourage them to express their feelings.
· Be aware of severe reactions.
· Spend time together as a family. Reassure your children that they are safe and normal, and that their loved ones are there for them.
· Maintain a normal routine but be flexible.
· Share your concerns with your children's teachers. The teachers may not know the difference between your children's normal behavior and their reactions to the anniversary of the traumatic event.
· Find out how your children's school is planning for the anniversary of September 11. Encourage but do not force them to participate. The decision to participate should be their choice.
· Help your children understand the reactions of other children in their school. Prepare them for bullying or other negative behaviors. Help them understand that people respond differently to stressful situations.
· Limit their exposure to media events. Sit with them if the event is being broadcast on television and discuss what you watch and hear.
· Be in touch with your own reactions. It is normal to relive the events of a traumatic day.
· Emphasize the positive. Talk about the friendships, the patriotism, the unity, the increased security, and other positives that resulted from the tragic events.

Suggestions for school administrators:
· Refer students who are experiencing extreme reactions or those who have not shown the ability to cope during the year to school-based teams and other available resources.
· Observe the needs of students. Let their needs guide your approach. Not all students or all schools will need extensive preparations or programs.
· Prepare school staff in advance to ensure they are prepared for a reawakening of intense emotions and reactions.
· Ensure school staff work together to develop plans to respond to the anniversary of the event. Provide additional assistance and support to new teachers in developing and implementing lesson plans.
· Provide staff development in threat assessment and suicide prevention. Remind teachers to be mindful of students who demonstrate intense, persistent reactions.
· Limit media coverage where possible.
· Anticipate and plan how school staff will respond to media questions regarding how the school is preparing for the anniversary of the event.
· Maintain a calm and controlled demeanor and atmosphere to demonstrate a normally functioning school.
· Prepared to deal with a wide range of emotions and behaviors.
· Be realistic about curriculum demands. The usual adjustment issues related to the opening of school will be exacerbated during this period.
· Encourage healthy habits.
· Ensure school staff is highly visible.
· Conduct sessions with entire classes, small groups of students and/or individual students as needed.
· Pay particular attention to high-risk students and students whose symptoms have not diminished.
· Communicate early with parents (i.e. meetings, newsletters and web sites).
· Make everyone aware of available resources.

Suggestions for teachers:
· Take time to listen to and talk with children about their feelings. Reassure them that the school is a safe place to be.
· Help students identify adults and friends they can trust.
· Focus on student competencies.
· Be aware of and immediately stop all forms of bullying and harassment.
· Be realistic about curriculum demands and assignments.
· Monitor your own emotions. Identify a support system for yourself and use it often.
· Recognize when you need outside support for yourself or your students.
· Know what to do if a student needs professional help. If you are unaware of the resources available, ask your school counselor. If your school counselor is not available, ask your administrator.
· Support your colleagues.

Resources:
Pupil/Student Services Team (School counselors, pupil personnel/school social workers, psychologists, nurses)
Local School System Central Office Staff

Materials from the National Center for Children Exposed to Violence-Three separate guides, one for parents, one for teachers and one for school administrators. The Anniversary of September 11: Parents' Guide for Talking to Their Children; The Anniversary of September 11: Teachers' Guide for Talking to Their Students; The Anniversary of September 11: School Administrators' Guide for Talking to Their Students and Staff. Contact (203) 785-7047 or
1-877-49NCCEV (62238) or www.nccev.org.

Helping America Cope - a free, 40-page guide, containing specific activities and coping strategies to help parents and children deal with their reactions and feelings resulting from the events of September 11, 2001. To order call (717) 783-3755, or e-mail
Info@7-dippity.com, or www.dpw.state.pa.us/omhsas/omhcom.asp.

9/11 As History - a project from the nonprofit research organization Families and Work Institute providing free Web-based downloadable curricular tools available Aug 9, 2002.

A Summer of Renewal: A Guide for Reflection - a guide designed to integrate the events of September 11 to sustain educators through the summer of 2002 and help them prepare for the first anniversary of the event. For more information, contact Linda Lantieri (212) 509-0022 Ext 226, Fax: (212) 509-1095 or email llantieri@rccp.org or Cheri Lowe (503) 584-3484, Fax (503) 364-0403, or E-mail clowe@earthlink.net.

Facing Fear: Helping Young People Deal With Terrorism and Other Tragic Events (American Red Cross) - A curriculum supplement to Masters of Disaster. The lessons are K-2 and are aligned with national health, social studies, and language arts standards. Chapter 1, Feelings, addresses feelings of loss, sadness, and anger. Chapter 2, Facts and Perspectives, gives information on how the media play a role in conveying information and how to be able to discern facts as reported in media coverage, yet not continue to frighten children. Chapter 3, Future, provides positive ways for children and their families to respond to past events and to plan for the future in uncertain times. Contact your local American Red Cross chapter or visit www.redcross.org.
Web sites

Fact Sheet 61 Dealing with Trauma

www.nmha.org/terrorism.cfm
www.ncptsd.org
www.nimh.nih.gov/publicat/violence.cfm
www.schoolcounselor.org
www.wright.edu/sopp/cps/TraumaticStress.html
www.nasponline.org
www.ed.gov/inits/september11/index.html
www.cde.ca.gov/spbranch/safety
www.ed.gov/offices/OESE/SDFS/publications.html