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Superintendent outlines district's crisis response after community deaths; partners and counseling supports mobilized
Summary
After the loss of four community members, the superintendent described the district's critical response team, outside agency partners, and at least 17 staff and 8 families who sought counseling support; the board was told services will continue at building level as school opens.
The Oyster River Cooperative School District superintendent opened the Aug. 20 meeting by offering condolences for the recent loss of four community members and outlining the district's ongoing critical response.
The superintendent described a coordinated, trauma-sensitive response led by the district's critical response team and partnered with state and regional agencies. She listed participating partners that have provided or offered support, including the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services Disaster Behavioral Health Response Team, local mental-health providers, the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, the Employee Assistance Program and regional school districts that have supplied staff counselors.
Suzanne and other members of the district's critical response team read a summary of the team's role: a trained group that follows district protocols to respond quickly to critical incidents, determines when outside resources are necessary, and coordinates daily debriefs and communications. The team said it is balancing district-wide messaging (bus routes, start-of-school logistics) with targeted supports at individual school buildings.
The superintendent told the board the district had so far served counseling needs for staff and families: board comments cited 17 staff and 8 families seeking support today; the administration said it would continue to monitor and adjust services as students and staff return to school this week.
Physical information packets were made available to board members and the administration said families would receive multiple communications about family- and building-level services planned for the coming days. The district plans a wellness fair for staff with community partners and said additional on-site support will be available as needed.
Board members thanked the critical response team and administrators for the rapid coordination of services.
