1) Parents should receive a notice prior to presentation informing them of the !MPACT presentation and providing an opt-out option. This is particularly important if students have suffered a recent loss.
2) Please visit the following page our website for ideas on activities the school can initiate on its own to involve students in developing a program that supplements our presentation. http://www.mourningparentsact.com/page20.html
3) We prefer to present on stage. We will need a podium, stationary microphone, portable microphone, chairs (on stage), a large screen, and a computer with DVD/CD drives (for a video and PowerPoint presentation) hooked up to the auditorium speakers.
4) Someone should introduce us. The introduction should cover the fact that each of the speakers will share their very personal and emotional stories. Some things may be difficult to hear. Counselors will be available to students throughout the day.
5) We would appreciate it if the school could supply bottled water for the presenters, and tissues for both students and presenters. Some students may become emotional during the presentation.
6) You should arrange for press coverage the day of the event. Please provide the press with our website address and contact information. Our website address is http://www.mourningparentsact.org. Inform !MPACT of any press coverage prior to the event.
7) You should advertise the event on the school website and in school newsletters.
We hope there will be time following the program for students to discuss and write about their reactions to the program. This is very important. We have learned through student feedback that they need to talk about what they have heard. The following feedback form can be found by clicking here. Please make sufficient copies, have students complete the form, and send the completed forms to Mourning Parents Act, Inc., P.O. Box 599, Coventry, CT 06238. You may even consider giving students a longer writing assignment.
If you consider our program worthy of it, we request that you send us a recommendation letter from school administration.
We do not charge high schools for our presentations, however we do accept monetary donations to help us advance our mission.