sonal messages to those affected. “In times of
a crisis, having a school staff member contact
families reassures them that the school district
cares and is willing to go the extra mile to offer
comfort and a sense of security;’ Clark said.
Lastly, we learned the importance of support
ing school district staff during tragedies. “Our
teachers and support staff appreciated that we
offered substitutes and directed them to the
resources available from our employee assistance
program,” said Francis Pombar, recovery coordi
nator in the Aurora Public Schools. ‘We tend to
forget the importance of self-care and
to
support
those who are supporting others”
Despite the frequent criticism leveled at
public education, many students and parents
still see schools as familiar and safe places.
From these tragedies, we learned that when
parents are unsure about what to do in the
midst of a crisis, they choose schools as gather
ing places for safety and support. •
GEORGIA DURAN
is chief communication officer
in the Aurora Public Schools in Aurora, Cob. E-mail:
As leader of communications, Georgia Durán played a central
role in the days following the mass
shooting
in an Aurora,
Cob., theater.
OCTOBER 2013 SCHOOL ADMINISTRATOR
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