Resources for Families Addressing Grief and Loss
March 29, 2026
The following resources have been collected for students and families in need of support following the Kenwood Middle School tragedy.
CMCSS has a partnership with Care Solace to make accessing mental health care even easier for families. Care Solace navigates the mental health care system to find available providers matched to specific needs – so you don’t have to. For an anonymous pathway to care, the community can utilize Care Match, a self-service tool, to find verified providers on their own. Click here to access CMCSS’ Care Match self-service tool.
The National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN) has a resource for understanding age-related reactions to traumatic events. Click here to read the PDF.
The Center for Resilience and Well-Being in Schools has a resource for talking to children when scary things happen. Click here to read the PDF.
The TN Department of Education has provided a list of strategies for families and teachers when addressing grief and loss.
For Families: This link will take you to the TN Dept of Education website.
For Teachers: This link will take you to the TN Dept of Education website.
A Message from CMCSS Director of Schools
A group of eighth-grade students and educators from Kenwood Middle School were so excited to be on the bus heading to Jackson yesterday to join other students from across the region for a weekend competition. In a moment, their lives and their families’ lives were upended. As a mother and a lifelong educator, I cannot begin to imagine the fear and pain they continue to endure. I ask that everyone pray and wrap their arms around these students, employees, their families, and the entire Kenwood community.
As I visited hospitals last night to check on students and families, I was overwhelmed by the selfless and compassionate moments I observed. I have continued to reflect on the first questions I would get from each person – is his teacher okay, how is her friend doing, is there anything we can do for someone else? Even amid an unimaginable tragedy and the profound distress each person was experiencing, the love and compassion everyone has shown for one another have been a breathtaking reminder of the power of community and humanity.
The Kenwood family has received an outpouring of support from across the Volunteer State. I cannot thank everyone enough for the kindness and support for our families.
In unity and strength with the Kenwood Knights, I ask that everyone wear black and gold on Monday, March 30. I am asking each school in CMCSS to determine an appropriate time and place for reflection and hope, and I invite everyone to join us in lifting up these families and the entire Kenwood community.
With unity and hope,
Dr. Jean Luna-Vedder
