Purpose 

The District recognizes that the loss of a student or staff member deeply impacts students, staff and families. The goal of the District is to ensure that staff, students and families impacted by a death are supported by providing them connections to appropriate school and community resources. This policy also recognizes that all deaths regardless of the manner in which they occurred, come with a great deal of emotion and stress; therefore, the District has given careful and deliberate consideration in determining approved memorial activities. 

In recognition that schools are designed primarily to support learning, school sites should not serve as the main venue for the memorializing of students or staff. Funerals and memorial services will not be held on District property. 

Guidelines 

Sadly, the death of a student, former student, or staff member is an event that may occur at any time. Temporary memorials can provide students the opportunity to give testimony to their peers, as well as learn how to direct their generosity to grieving family members. The opportunity to participate in temporary activities and projects can help students and staff come to accept the finality of their loss. An initial memorial site may be designated by the principal where flowers, poems, pictures, and stuffed animals can be placed in an area where those who wish not to be reminded can easily avoid that location. Memorial items will be removed at a time designated by the principal in a way that permits presentation of these symbols of caring to the family, as appropriate. 

With consent of the family, school newspapers and yearbooks may publish a tribute page that includes the name, photograph, date of birth, date of death, and position or extracurricular activities of the deceased staff member or student. The page may also include information on where members of the community may seek assistance for grief and mental health issues. 

Additional memorial activities may be approved by the principal in consultation with the counselor; however, any such activities must be consistent with the purposes of this policy. 

A tribute may be placed in the memorial garden with approval from the administration. Examples of acceptable items would be a small tree or plant. 

Memorials for staff and students lost through suicide will not be established. This policy is the result of the fact that recognition of student suicide may adversely affect others predisposed to suicide.