Vancouver School Board suggests ways to help students cope with Paris tragedy

The Vancouver School Board is advising schools ofways to help students work through the fear of anxiety they may be experiencingin the wake of the Paris attacks.

The suggestions are in aseven-point memodistributed citywide to elementary and secondary schooladministrators.

"We recognize the importance of helping kids deal with these traumatic events," said JuliePearce, theVSB's associate superintendent.

"Especially nowadays when so many kid have to come to termswith what they are seeing on television, theinternetor on the news."

• Read the VSB advisoryhere

The memo notes that "viewing television and internetcoverageleaves students more vulnerableto nightmares and vividfears" and suggests limiting exposure to the wall-to-wall Paris coverageduring school time.

Pearcesays while some students won't be impacted at all by the events in Paris, others will undoubtedly be feeling anxious.

"Some of our students come from areas already that have been affected by violence," she said."They could have relatives in Franceor in Paris, they could also have relatives in other areas of the world, where similar actions are taking place so they're going tobe very disturbed about what they've seen."

Pearcesays teachers are advised to talk about the Paris terrorist attacks, but not dwell on them, and school counsellorshavebeen asked to check in with vulnerable students who may be struggling with the tragic situation.

There's alsoamessage for parents.

"We want to remind parentsto monitor internetviewing and to talk to kids about their feelings and safety concerns," said Pearce.

"We're trying to support our students though this really difficult time and to reach out to everybody."

Ecole JulesQuesnel, a French immersion school onVancouver's Point Grey neighbourhood,emailedparents the VSBrecommendations, adding thatsome school staff have family in Paris.

"Many of our staff members are deeply affected and we can assure you that none have lost family members to the tragedy," the notice read.

"They feel supported and recognize the powerful worldwide sense of solidarity for allcountries affected. At themoment, all appears to be calm here at school."