Dear Volunteers,

In light of the recent tragedy in Parkland, Florida, AFS-USA would like to reaffirm our dedication to the safety and well-being of our students, host families, and volunteers. We understand that events such as this generate a range of emotions, and may be very difficult to process. Recognizing that there may be questions regarding how to discuss and respond to these events in a constructive manner, we would like to share an online resource that we have found helpful.

Here you can find a link to an article published by the National Education Association (NEA) that succinctly outlines guidance provided by the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) for talking to young people about violence and other tragedies: School Shootings and Other Traumatic Events: How To Talk to Students. Also included are links to other resources that may be helpful in facilitating dialogue in the wake of national tragedies and/or traumatic events. We strongly encourage you to review the article and its contents.

To provide a brief snapshot of the content covered, here are several actions that the NASP recommends taking in situations like these:

• Reassure children that they are safe
• Create time to listen and be available to talk
• Keep your explanations developmentally appropriate
• Review school safety procedures
• Observe children’s emotional state
• Limit media exposure
• Maintain a normal routine

If you feel that there is a situation that may require additional attention, please reach out to your local support leadership and/or email your corresponding Support Staff representative directly. We are happy to provide assistance as needed.

Thank you so much for the invaluable support that you continue to provide to our students, particularly in the wake of such senseless acts of violence. These exchanges would not be possible without the impactful work that you do.

Sincerely,

AFS-USA Support Staff