School administrators can learn how to take decisive and positive action in dealing with the grief and the emotional reactions of students and staff members in the event of a tragedy. Guidelines for dealing with tragedy can be implemented in most schools. An individual student affected by a tragedy should be informed quietly, simply, and directly by an authority figure in a private surrounding and accompanied by a person close to the student. The student's teacher should be informed of the circumstances. When the entire school community is affected by a tragedy, the chief school administrator should make an announcement to the entire student body and then have one or more persons go to each class and discuss the meaning and effect of the loss, and answer questions. If a memorial is planned, students should be encouraged to take an active part in the project. Staff workshops should be scheduled before a tragedy occurs so that teachers can see what feelings and experiences of their own might help or complicate the situation. A profile to help parents and professionals identify potential teenage suicide victims is provided. (MLF)