YU School Partnership - YU Institute

Resources for School Safety

With the start of the back to school season and the recent shooting at a Georgia elementary school, there is no question that school safety is on the minds of parents and educators.  We have compiled the following list of resources that addresses many of the concerns that arise during traumatic events and can help parents and educators better prepare children:

1. In partnership with Dr. Norman Blumenthal, Ph.D.of Ohel's Children's Home and Family Services, we have put together Lockdown Drills Best Practices and Guidelines.  This guide addresses both the logistical and psychological considerations when implementing lockdown security drills.

2. Dr. Norman Blumenthal also put together a list of pointers for parents regarding the Boston Tragedy.  Click here to view the PDF.

3. Carey Goldberg of Boston's 90.9 WBUR prepared useful guidelines in How To Talk With Children About Boston Marathon Bombs .

4. Our article Recommendations for School Responses to Newton Shooting Tragedy , which was written with the partnership of Project Chai- Chai Lifeline, can assist school leaders in addressing the safety concerns of students and parents and assure their sense of security.

5. The Letter to Teachers in Response to Connecticut Shooting and Letter from Head of School In Response to Connecticut Shooting, which was shared with us by our colleagues at the Joseph Kushner Hebrew Academy after the Newtown tragedy, are  useful examples of the type of message that can be shared with teachers and parents in response to other tragedies as well.

6.  Resources for Responding to the Connecticut School Shooting is a comprehensive compendium of additional tools, sample communications, school security resources and online resources that can be applied to helping children cope with the other tragedies as well.