REGION — Schools in western Maine, closed by last week’s tragic mass shooting, restarted Monday with recovery and support protocols in place.
In Oxford Hills, where some were deeply and closely affected by loss of family and friends, Superintendent Heather Manchester said efforts across the district have been focused on the well being of staff as well as students.
Children have different responses to traumas that adults need to expect. In the aftermath of situations like last week’s mass shooting in Lewiston, no one will have the same reaction, and every reaction is normal. Courtesy SAD 17
“We as a district worked to resume as normal a setting as possible,” Manchester told the Advertiser Democrat. “First was to prepare staff. I think everyone appreciated that no classes were held on Friday. It gave them time to process [the events] for themselves. I received several emails thanking me [for] the information shared with them, and the time provided to absorb it.”
District administration made sure that every school had at least one counselor assigned to be present when students returned to a late start on Monday. Before schools opened, staff participated in district-wide zoom meeting with Dr. Jen Freeman of the University of Connecticut. Freeman is a known entity to employees, as the district’s coach for its positive behavioral interventions and Supports (PBIS) program.
“I think the big takeaways from our Monday morning meeting are that every person reacts differently to traumas, and every reaction is normal,” Manchester said. “Part of the strategy for support is to expect ‘micro-moments,’ different times when someone may be affected.”
She added that the reopening went according to plan. And while specific preparation for reopening was carried out for just a few days, the procedures used are already in place as part of Maine School Administrative District 17’s emergency and safety protocols.
Of particular benefit are collaborative meetings Manchester participates in with other western Maine superintendents. Each district is informed about what the others face and how they are handling it.
“We meet regularly,” Manchester said. “It’s extremely helpful to work as a group. Each district tailors their own plans – our situation in Oxford Hills is obviously different than what Lewiston is addressing.
“But everyone is focused on responding to trauma response. Teachers and staff have established relationships with the kids and it’s important to make sure they’re comfortable with their roles.”
If you or a loved one is having a difficult time following the mass shootings in Lewiston, call the Maine Crisis Line, which is 888-568-1112 (voice) or 711 (Maine Relay). It is the state’s crisis telephone response service for individuals or families experiencing a behavioral health crisis or having thoughts of suicide and/or self-harm. It is staffed by trained specialists 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
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