[CCHS] A letter for parents

[Louisa Coleman]

Louise Coleman
Concord-Carlisle High School
500 Walden Street
Concord, MA  01742
lcoleman at colonial.net
978-341-2490 x7101

----- Original Message -----

Dear Parents,

It goes without saying that this has been an extremely challenging year
for all of us. We've had several traumatic losses as well as an event in
which the school community was threatened. For many of us, these losses
bring up not only sadness for the individuals and the families involved
but they remind us of past losses in our own lives. The school and the
broader community are incredibly strong, but these events have challenged
our capacity each time.  

Right now it's incredibly important to not only listen to one another but
to be clear and flexible in our responses. Let people know that if they
are struggling that you are there to help or to aid them in finding other
resources for support. When dealing with your son or daughter, maintain
your expectations for them, but when and where you can, try to provide
them with some measure of flexibility in terms of your response. These
websites provide great resources to teens and parents on grieving and
related issue: 
http://www.dougy.org/grief-resources/help-for-teens/
http://childrensroom.org/
http://suicidology.org/web/guest/suicide-loss-survivors.

In a letter I wrote earlier this month, I outlined how CCHS has responded
to the suicides we've experienced this year as a school community and, as
importantly, with the broader community. Here is an update:
  · Counselors and teachers at the school are providing ongoing support to
    students. I want to commend the Faculty for the efforts they've made
    to do this.
The school is working closely with the Riverside Trauma Center, a
    Department of Public Health funded organization that provides support
    to schools and communities following suicides. They conducted a staff
    suicide prevention training and are helping us to plan student support
    groups and provide more resources for parents. 
Several members of the Administration and Guidance staff attended a
    two-day suicide prevention conference sponsored by a state-wide
    organization.
The Center for Parents and Teachers created a community-based coalition to
    address the issue of suicide prevention. The Short-term and Long-term
    groups are developing strategies and programming for current and
    future implementation. The Community Chest is working on funding a
    town-wide position to help coordinate the response efforts.
The Parents Association and CCPI have sponsored several speakers to work
    with parents on this issue. There  ·    · a  · r  · e  · 
      · t  · w  · o  ·    · p  · r  · o  · g  · r  · a  · m  · s  · 
      · c  · o  · m  · i  · n  · g  ·    · u  · p  · 
      · n  · e  · x  · t  ·    · w  · e  · e  · k  · :  · 
"Being Present in Difficult Times: Raising Awareness Within Our Community"
         on Tuesday, June 1 at 7:00pm at the Harvey Wheeler Center
"Healing and Hope: A Community Coming Together after a Suicide" on
           Wednesday, June 2 at 7:00pm at the Trinitarian Congregational
           Church
The Elliot Center and numerous organizations within the faith community
    have been sponsoring grief support groups. 

Lastly, I know that the Ryan family has had a difficult time dealing with
a number of rumors that have circulated in the community. Given how
painful Tyler's passing was, please try to discourage others from
conjecturing about issues related to his death.

- Peter Badalament

(All of this information will repeated in the June Newsletter.)

(More information on the two events listed above)
"Are you feeling overwhelmed by recent events in Concord? Would you like
to know what you can do, what resources are out there, and learn more
about depression? Please join the Concord Carlisle Parents Initiative
(CCPI) on June 1 from 7 – 9 pm at the Harvey Wheeler Community Center,
1276 Main St., West Concord, MA for an informative evening entitled 'Being
Present in Difficult Times: A Community Wide Event For All Ages About
Raising Awareness About Depression, Suicide, and Substance Abuse'.  The
evening’s goal is to help disseminate information that can help heal,
guide, and prevent further tragedy. Participants will leave with a better
understanding of the warning signs of depression and how to get help if
you are concerned about yourself or someone else. The main speaker will be
Deborah Helms, Director of the Samaritans of Merrimack Valley supplemented
by short presentations by the Family Awareness Program (an organization
focused on depression awareness) and the Eliot Center (a local non-profit
human services organization). For more information, go to:
http://www.familyserviceinc.com/Program_files/Samaritans.htm,
http://www.eliotchs.org/Mission-Statement.aspx, and
http://familyaware.org/"

"Join friends and neighbors for an evening together at the Trinitarian
Congregational Church entitled "Healing and Hope: A Community Coming
Together After a Suicide" on June 2 from 7-9pm at the Trinitarian
Congregational Church in Concord (54 Walden Street).  Facilitated by Kim
Kates, Director of Grief Support Services of Boston-based Samaritans and
the Rev. John Lombard, the evening will be dedicated to helping to heal
hearts saddened by the sudden death of Tyler Ryan and to provide resources
designed to respond to the gathered group’s concerns and questions. 
Designed for adults and high-school aged young people, the evening is open
to the public."



Peter Badalament
Principal
Concord-Carlisle High School
500 Walden St.
Concord, MA 01742
(978) 341-2490 x. 7110

"Stay together. Learn the flowers. Go light." - Gary Snyder

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