- Develop a thoughtful process. Take time and allow time for grieving before deciding on a permanent memorial.
- Involve families, staff and students in deciding how best to remember the tragedy and its victims. A committee composed of parents, students, staff and community leaders should take time to develop a thoughtful memorial. Remember, in many cases it takes years to establish a permanent memorial.
- Think carefully about the location of the memorial. Establish a school or district policy about whether memorials will be allowed in the school building or on school grounds. Keep in mind that establishing a precedent might cause difficulties in the future. Also, remember that memorials in the school serve as a constant reminder of the event to students and may interfere with healing.
- Consider the type of memorial. Memorials may be plaques or structures, but they can also include awards, scholarships, plantings or donations of books and materials. Some schools have started a positive community service activity as a memorial to lost students.
- Be mindful of separation of church and state issues. Family members might want religious statements or symbols included in the memorial. Manage this issue by involving the broad-based community.
- Realize there is no such thing as closure. While the community can move on and heal, the crisis is never forgotten.
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