Support to Parents

Notification to Parents

Schools should inform parents concerned about the crisis incident and the support provided or to be provided by the school. Schools are advised to ask parents to pay attention to the needs of their children. When necessary, schools should invite parents to attend meeting in schools to discuss ways to support their children.

Schools can make reference to the guidelines below when drafting the special notice and disseminate the notice to parents on the day of the incident:

 Respect privacy. Do not disclose personally identifiable information, especially the personal data of the victim(s);

 Report only the facts and avoid making any speculations or assumptions;

 Inform parents of the measures taken by schools to support students and staff concerned;

 Schools are encouraged to attach a translation of the notice for non-Chinese speaking parents;

 Parents may call or go to schools to enquire about the incident after receiving the notice. Schools should arrange staff to answer the enquiries from parents.

Moreover, schools can attach reference information (References 5 and 6) to the special notice to parents.

Annex 15 Special Notice to Parents (Sample 1)

Date:

Dear Parents,

Our school was informed by the police this morning that one S.5 student of our school was found lying on the podium of his residential building last night. He was sent to a hospital and was subsequently certified dead. All of us feel deeply saddened and sorry for the loss. The school has immediately activated the School Crisis Management Team. Educational psychologist, school social workers and teachers will provide emotional support to students in need, so as to clear up their doubts and ease their emotions.

We hope you will pay special attention to the needs of your children during this period. Please listen to them, let them talk about their feelings and show them

42 care and support. If needed, please contact class teachers, school social workers, or school general office (Tel ).

Yours faithfully,

School Principal XXX Secondary School (Remarks: Information of other social service organisations of the district is attached for your reference.)

Telephone Hotlines

Social Welfare Department: 2343 2255 Suicide Prevention Services: 2382 0000 Richmond Fellowship of Hong Kong: 3512 2626 The Samaritan Befrienders Hong Kong: 2389 2222

The Samaritans: 2896 0000 (Multi-lingual services) Caritas Family Crisis Line: 18288

Annex 16 Special Notice to Parents (Sample 2)

Date:

Dear Parents,

The school received a call from the police at 7:30 this morning and was notified that three of our P.6 students were injured at a traffic accident on the way to school.

They have been sent to a hospital and are now in stable condition. We have expressed our concerns and offered our assistance to their families. The police are investigating the incident at the moment.

In response to this incident, the school has immediately activated the School Crisis Management Team. Educational psychologist, school social workers and teachers will provide counselling and support to students who are emotionally disturbed. The school will pay close attention to the injured students and all students in school. Follow-up actions will be taken when needed.

We hope you will pay special attention to your children’s needs during this period. Please listen to them and let them talk about their feelings and comfort them.

At the same time, please communicate with your children to understand their needs and show your care. Please call the class teacher or the school social workers, or school general office (Tel ) if needed.

Yours faithfully,

43

School Principal

XXX Primary School (Remarks: Information of other social service organisations of the district is attached for your reference.)

Telephone Hotlines

Social Welfare Department: 2343 2255 Suicide Prevention Services: 2382 0000 Richmond Fellowship of Hong Kong 3512 2626 The Samaritan Befrienders Hong Kong: 2389 2222

The Samaritans: 2896 0000 (Multi-lingual services) Caritas Family Crisis Line: 18288

Parent Meeting

If a crisis incident has far-reaching psychological and emotional impacts on students, schools may need to arrange a Parent Meeting to address parents’ concerns. The school may inform parents of the meeting arrangements in their special notice to parents.

In the meeting, adequate time should be given to answer parents’ enquiries. If needed, counselling can be provided to parents. Schools should arrange sufficient manpower of guidance personnel to provide individual or group meetings with parents in need.

Annex 17 Content of Parent Meeting

1. Update verified information specific to the crisis incident.

2. Explain what have been done or arranged by the school in response to the crisis incident.

3. Let parents know what will be done to avoid similar incidents in the future (if appropriate).

4. Explain the warning signs of suicide (if appropriate).

5. Highlight the key points in the Reference materials for Parents to let them know how to support their children after the incident and how to handle their emotions (Reference 5 and 6).

6. Emphasise the importance of supporting their children.

7. Emphasise the importance of home-school collaboration.

8. Introduce information about organisations or personnel offering support.

9. Arrange to meet with parents in need individually or in a group Expressing Care and Sympathy to the Family of the Victim

The principal or school representatives can pay visit to the family of victim to express their care and coordinate the support required for them. If needed, the school can provide

44 contact information of counselling organisations to the family. The school should ensure that the school representatives are emotionally stable to handle the visit; otherwise the school can arrange other appropriate staff to take up the role.

8. Participating in Memorial Activities and Funeral