E035 After A Death - 5 Tips For Schools

Dougy Center staff member, Joan Schweizer Hoff, joins Jana to talk about the top 5 things school administrators will want to consider when a student, teacher, or staff member dies.

Top 5 Things:

1. Delivering the news - How do you let the community know? What do you say/not say?
2. The first days back at school - Suggestions for supportive activities.
3. Memorial activities - What types of memorials do schools consider? Is it better to do something temporary or permanent?
4. Identifying students who need additional help - Why it’s important to pay attention to all students, not just those close to the person who died.
5. Ongoing support - What can your school do in the short and long-term to be helpful to students and staff?

Additional resources:

Supporting the Grieving Student - DVD -

For samples of letters to send to staff/families and a school crisis response plan:

When Death Impacts Your School - A guide for school administrators

Tangible suggestions for teachers:

Helping the Grieving Student - a Guide for Teachers