PARKLAND, FL — Members of the National Principals Association’s Principal Recovery Network (PRN), a national network of current and former school leaders who have experienced gun violence tragedies in their schools, today released the Guide to Recovery: Second Edition at an event in Parkland, Florida. 

Authored by 19 current and former school leaders, including principals from Columbine High School, Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School and Sandy Hook Elementary School, the updated guide brings together firsthand experience from more recent tragedies and the yearslong work of recovery that follows. It provides school leaders and communities with practical guidance for navigating the immediate aftermath of a shooting and the difficult decisions and challenges that continue long after these crises. 

The event at the Parkland Recreation and Enrichment Center featured remarks from Parkland Mayor Rich Walker, National Principals Association CEO Ronn Nozoe, former Columbine High School Principal and PRN member Frank DeAngelis, and Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Principal and PRN member Michelle Kefford. The event also included a panel of PRN members from across the country who shared their experiences and lessons from leading their school communities through recovery. A recording of the event is available here. 

“No principal should have to navigate those first hours, days and years after a tragedy without the support of people who understand what it means to carry that responsibility,” said Ronn Nozoe, CEO of the National Principals Association. “The Principal Recovery Network has transformed some of the most difficult experiences imaginable into practical guidance to help other school leaders and communities with what comes next. We are grateful to the 19 authors who have shared their knowledge and experiences to help their colleagues prevent and heal from shootings.” 

“When the shooting occurred at Columbine, I was completely overwhelmed as I tried to understand what my students, staff and community needed from me when I was struggling to process the tragedy myself,” said Frank Deangelis, former principal of Columbine High School and PRN member. “Having a guide like this would have given me a place to turn, helped me understand what to expect and reminded me that I didn’t have to travel the journey alone.” 

The Guide to Recovery: Second Edition expands on the original guide released by PRN members in 2022 at the Columbine Memorial in Littleton, Colorado. Four years later, the second edition incorporates additional firsthand experiences from recent incidents and lessons learned from school leaders who have continued supporting their communities through the long-term recovery process. 

Founded in April 2019, the Principal Recovery Network (PRN) is a national network of current and former school leaders who have experienced gun violence tragedies in their buildings. Together, the PRN seeks to assist principals in the immediate aftermath of a crisis and well beyond. PRN members reach out directly to their colleagues to provide much-needed support, share the combined wisdom of their experience with the larger principal community through various outlets, assist schools during recovery, and advocate for national school safety enhancements and violence prevention programs. Beyond supporting schools after tragedy, PRN members use their collective experience to advocate for policy changes aimed at preventing school shootings and advancing long-term healing and recovery for affected communities. 

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