Normally, Thanksgiving offers us a respite to slow down, breathe, restore and reflect. But many of us awoke Sunday morning to the devastating headlines about the shooting in Colorado – an event that will likely send shockwaves through our educational communities for the days and weeks ahead.

Saturday night’s shooting at Club Q in Colorado Springs is a violent reminder that we have a long way to go toward creating a world that is safe and affirming for LGBTQ+ people. We denounce the violence that took place and stand with our LGBTQ+ colleagues and students. When a gunman enters a place of safety and belonging for queer-identified people, the result is that LGBTQ+ folks everywhere feel endangered and destabilized. Right now, we have the opportunity to support each other and students and families in our programs. LGBTQ+ students in particular, especially students without family support, will most likely be feeling vulnerable and isolated following this violence.

Choose from these 8 actions to take care of yourself and those around you:

1. Gather with colleagues to process this weekend’s violence: Join with NWRESD colleagues tomorrow from 8-9 a.m. over Zoom to grieve, process and heal. Jillynn Garcia, a mental health specialist at Pacific Academy, and Lisa Bates, principal at Levi Anderson Learning Center, will facilitate. Drop in as your schedule allows. All NWRESD staff members, not just those who are queer-identified, are invited to participate. Register for the morning Zoom session. 
   
   
2. Connect students to mental health resources: Encourage students to connect with their school counselors or mental health specialists. You can also share ItGetsBetter.org or The Trevor Project, which has a way to call, chat or text with a crisis counselor 24/7.
   
   
3. Attend professional development workshops specifically on supporting LGBTQ+ students: Our School Culture and Climate Network is hosting a half-day learning collaborative on Jan. 19 featuring the TransActive Gender Project. The network is also hosting community conversations on Feb. 7 and March 21. Learn more about the collaboratives and fill out this Google Form to sign up (note: the form says the session will take place in fall, but it has been moved to Jan. 19).
   
   You can also view the slide deck from a training NWRESD offered last year on supporting LGBTQ+ students and staff. Learn key terms, practice interrupting bias, examine your language and get resources for creating a more inclusive classroom.
   
   
4. Access free counseling through our employee assistance plan: Staff and covered dependents have access to six free counseling sessions per topic and other support services through Uprise Health. Face-to-face, video or telephone sessions are available. Visit https://members.uprisehealth.com/ (access code is OEBB). 
   
   
5. Plug into your equity learning teams: NWRESD has formed several equity learning teams across the organization. These teams identify opportunities to make our organization inclusive, safe and antiracist. If you’re interested in learning more about the equity work happening in your corner, make sure you know who is on your equity learning team. Consider asking what they’re working on and how you might be able to advance and advocate for equity within your program. If you’re not sure who is on your program’s equity learning team, email Katie Jones or Sharif Liwaru.
   
   Current equity learning teams include: Beaverton Early Childhood Center, Cascade and Pacific Academies, Child Care Resource and Referral, Clatsop Service Center, Columbia Academy, Columbia Service Center, Early Learning, Early Learning Hub, Fiscal Services, Hillsboro Early Childhood Center, Human Resources, Instructional Services, Levi Anderson, Special Student Services, Superintendent's Office, Technology, Tillamook Service Center, Tualatin Early Childhood Center and Washington Service Center Early Childhood.
   
   
6. Share digital tools for queer youth: imi is a free, digital, science-backed mental health web tool for queer teens to learn coping skills, hear stories from real LGBTQ+ teens, and explore resources that affirm queer identities and boost mental health. Topics include stress, queerness, stigma and gender. Visit imi.guide. 
   
   
7. Offer messages of support: Reaching out to the people in your life who are affected by the weekend’s violence can go a long way toward helping people feel supported, seen and cared for. Violence perpetrated against marginalized groups can be terrifying, isolating and triggering for everyone in that group. Sending an email or text or making a phone call is an important way to show your support and build solidarity.
   
   Talking about hate is difficult for everyone and addressing it with children can be especially daunting. Use these five steps to guide your conversation. 
   
   
8. Browse resources produced by the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN): The group works to ensure that LGBTQ+ students are able to learn and grow in a school environment free from bullying and harassment.