Dear Oxford Families,
We have recently learned that the storyline of an upcoming Law and Order episode scheduled to air tomorrow Thursday, April 28 at 8 pm on NBC could be a traumatic trigger for our school community. As we understand from the preview, the plot is “ripped from the headlines” and is about a school shooting in which the father of the shooter provided the weapon.
Trauma specialists are recommending families not view this episode of Law and Order as it may be retriggering and result in a barrage of intrusive memories based upon your own traumatic experiences that occurred on November 30, 2021. Such memories triggered by the story line may overwhelm individuals and their ability to cope, setting backwards their recovery and healing process.
If you and your child decide to watch the show, please talk with them about how it affected them including any memories that were experienced, their level of stress, and any feelings and thoughts it provoked. Such support will provide a safe space for your child to talk about their feelings and be extremely helpful in assisting them as they manage their emotions. If your child is currently in therapy, please consult their therapist for specific concerns about how this show may affect them. Furthermore, if you need support, you can always reach out to the 24/7 Resource and Crisis helpline/text/chat which remains available for anyone who would like to speak with professionally-trained Helpline volunteers from Common Ground at 1-800-231-1127 or 1-844-446-4225. Information on mental health services can also be found at the following websites:
Sincerely,
Ken Weaver
Superintendent