California School Counselor - Fall 2008 - (Page 13)

administrative level, this makes good sense because it not only demonstrates compassion but also helps avoid lawsuits. The Thurston High School shooting had no lawsuits toward the district or anyone in it, nor any toward emergency services. It is perhaps the only mass casualty shooting in which so many families of dead and wounded (total of 26 students shot) would receive calls from several attorneys oﬀering to sue, and not one said “yes” to this oﬀer. If the experience of families is that you worked so diligently to do every single thing you could do to respond to them personally, lawsuits are much less apt to occur. From the counseling perspective, this compels schools to do what we most want – whatever it takes for families to feel cared for rather than the district circling the wagons and keeping a distance. This is one of those times when goodness prevails to beneﬁt all – what works for counselors (great support to all) also works for administrators (reduction in lawsuits). Such an example is a case in which the mother of a critically injured student was visiting relatives across the country. Two secretaries spent hours trying to ﬁnd a commercial ﬂight that could get the mother to her child’s bedside within the day, but when nothing could be found, the superintendent took out his personal credit card and said, “Hire a private jet.” At $24,000, that was quite a gesture. A few days later money was donated and the superintendent was reimbursed. To the parent, the eﬀect was obvious. She was absolutely a top priority for this district and the school administrators were willing to do – yes – “whatever it takes.” We all know that prevention of another Columbine look-alike is all about school climate. It has been appalling to learn how many students know of planned events and how very few come forward to tell an adult who can take steps to prevent the completion of such an act. What does it take to create a school climate where students tell us what they know? Students should have staﬀ members who take an interest in them. And students who may be potential shooters are perhaps most apt to be bullied, so helping teachers with conversation starters to investigate the student’s level of victimization is helpful. But there are other things as well. Often when schools hold memorial events for students who have died, we gauge who should attend by how popular that student was. Rather it is more important to have all students attend the event (or life tribute) for the student who was ELL, physically challenged, in the self-contained special education classroom, and so on. When “high school royalty” sit respectfully while others struggle to the microphone to speak with care about their loved one who has died, they might begin to treat the student in the wheel chair with greater respect. How we respond to one crisis has everything to do with how we might prevent the next, and certainly has everything to do with school climate. AM g earnin With L DING lities ’S LEA E R I CA Disabi R G E FO COLLE /H and AD NTS STUDE D For more than 20 years, Landmark College in Putney, VT has been the leader in the creation of successful learning strategies exclusively for students with learning disabilities and AD/HD. More than eight of every 10 of our graduates go on to pursue bachelor’s degree studies at the college of their choice. Learn More at Our Open Houses 2008: Oct. 18 • Nov. 15 • Dec. 6 For information and to register, contact us at 802-387-6718 E-MAIL admissions@landmark.edu PHONE www.landmark.edu 389872_Landmark.indd 1 The California School Counselor | fall 2008 11:54:32 AM r 13 7/2/08 http://www.landmark.edu

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of California School Counselor - Fall 2008

California School Counselor - Fall 2008 Contents Presidential Perspectives Jackie's Jottings Executive Director's Report Pics, Clicks and Technics Calendar Index to Advertisers Prevention is Key in Crisis Response High Schools Partner with Cash for College to Boost Cal Grant Awards CASC Southern California Conference and Research Summit II Reflection 2008 WACAC Annual Spring Conference H.B. McDaniel Foundation Awards Announced 2008 Delegate Assembly 2008-2009 School Counseling Program Grant Recipients Named Solution Tree Outsert

California School Counselor - Fall 2008

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