Ending Violence in Schools and Supporting Student Mental Health

To: Superintendents, Education Partner Leaders and Communicators, Principals, K-12 Public Information Officers
From: Dr. Charlene Williams, Director of Oregon Department of Education
Date: September 29, 2023
Subject: Ending Violence in Schools and Supporting Student Mental Health

Dear School Leaders,

I am writing to you today to provide resources and support. Many of you have heard of the physical incident at a middle school in Tigard Tualatin School District on September 28, 2023. The incident involved two middle school students with many other students appearing to be standing by witnessing the event. Students filmed a brief moment of the incident and videos have been shared broadly throughout Oregon and beyond.

The videos have been viewed by multiple millions and there is a likelihood of your students having seen the video or having been impacted by it. When instances like this happen, it can cause concern and raise questions for parents, staff, and students alike which will likely require an aligned response. 

Many who are sharing the incident across social media have said the student who appears to be the instigator is a transgender student and the social media conversations have largely been anti-trans versus anti-violence. For that reason, conversations in your community may relate to bullying, violence, gender, mental health, and more.

Young people deserve to be safe, affirmed, and supported in their identities and mental health. As much as school districts have put into place, there may be situations that arise that we aren’t able to prevent. There will always be a need to be vigilant and proactive when it comes to the social, mental, and emotional health of young people in our community. And we have to do it together.

All students should be held accountable for their behavior when they violate the rights of others.

The following guidance is intended to be a support for your school leaders and teachers to provide an open door for conversation so we can implement the best possible solutions with a sense of calm. Please feel free to share these resources with your staff.  

Safety matters. In schools, the mental and physical safety of students is our first priority.

Sincerely,

Dr. Charlene Williams, Director of the Oregon Department of Education

Schools can do the following:

• Clarify Reporting Mechanisms and Lead with Anti-Violence - Encourage students to speak up and be part of the solutions.  If they hear something, say something.  If they see something, ask an adult for help. Ensure that there's a clear, safe, and confidential mechanism for students, staff, and parents to report concerns, incidents, or share feedback. This encourages a proactive approach to prevent future incidents. Prioritize safety, ending violence, and preventing bullying. Focus on how your district is approaching those issues proactively, through policy and practice, and share a clear message that violence is not tolerated. Fuel your school community’s motivation to end violence together. 
• Promote Mental Health Awareness - Violence and online virality can have lasting effects on mental health. Encourage schools to offer workshops, counseling sessions, and resources on coping mechanisms, stress management, and emotional intelligence. ​​Remember, the key is to approach this situation with compassion, understanding, and a commitment to fostering a safe and inclusive environment for all.
• Restore calm and avoid re-traumatization - Encourage your school community not to share violent images and videos for the sake of everyone’s mental health. Conversations about these important issues can and should happen without replaying an incident on repeat that may be extremely disturbing and traumatizing to children (and all of us). Bring down the temperature by naming and avoiding speculation, and avoid tearing down other districts, leaders, educators, and especially students. We need to be able to talk to each other, work together, and support students in our school communities. 
• Foster Inclusion and Dialogue - Advocate for the creation of safe spaces where students, teachers, and parents can discuss their feelings, ask questions, and share experiences related to the incident and broader topics. This helps to bridge gaps of understanding and dispels myths. Consider hosting moderated forums or panels where diverse voices, especially from the LGBTQ+ community, can be heard. 
• Build Relationships to Support LGBTQ+ People Vocally - Violence between students, no matter their gender identity, doesn’t mean we stop standing up for the rights of LGBTQ+ students or roll back policies that support LGBTQ+ rights. In this moment, LGBTQ+ students and staff will feel extremely vulnerable, so it’s important to be prepared for a difficult conversation in your community. Build relationships with local agencies, mental health professionals, LGBTQ+ organizations, and community groups. Their expertise and resources can be invaluable in both response and prevention.
• Educate on the Impact of Sharing Videos - Students need to understand the broader implications of sharing content, especially violent or sensitive content, on social media. Run educational programs that emphasize empathy, the power of digital footprints, and the potential harm caused by sharing inappropriate content.
• Reinforce Training for Staff - Ensure that school staff are well-trained to handle such incidents, both in terms of immediate response and longer-term support. They should be equipped with strategies for de-escalation, providing emotional support, and recognizing signs of distress among students. Take the opportunity to remind your staff and school community about privacy rights, legal responsibilities, and best practices related to social media sharing, speaking to reporters, and other public-facing activities. Consider asking your district attorney to compile a list of best practices so educators can protect themselves by avoiding violating privacy and discrimination laws relevant in a school setting.
• Continue the Work - If a situation were to arise at your school after some time has passed, reconnect with those involved and those who were impacted. Solicit feedback on how the situation was handled and what could be improved. This iterative process ensures your constituents and community feel heard and can lead to better outcomes in the future.

Resources:

• Mental Health and Social Support Guidance for Administrators, School Counselors, and Other Mental Health Professionals: Anytime a violent incident occurs, and especially if it is shared widely on video, there can be widespread and unexpected mental health repercussions for students, educators, staff, and community members. Rather than be silent, proactively offering mental health supports available to people in your locality is a strong, proactive way to move through a challenging and potentially traumatizing moment.
• Every Student Belongs Bias Incident Response Guide: Should an incident occur in your district, related to these videos or not, the bias incident response guide can support processes when various aspects of student identity are involved.
• Supporting Gender Expansive Students: Guidance for Schools: Because this incident involves a transgender student, there may be related conversations and issues in your district that arise. This guidance can be used to support the rights and well being of gender-expansive students in your district.

• Talking to Children About Violence- Tips for Families and Educators: Teachers and families may need support in how to talk with children about incidents of violence. This resource is from the National Association of School Psychologists and provides helpful tips and resources.
• Bullying Resources for Teachers and Parents: This page provides teachers and parents with multiple resources and tips to prevent and stop bullying, helping students deal with bullying, the warning signs of bullying for parents and educators, and suicide and self-harm prevention.