Our students have fallen into the rhythm of the school routine, and it has been a joy to pop into classrooms, see kids in the hallways, and watch them play in athletic competitions. I am also excited to welcome families to campus on Friday evening (9/12) for the Fall Family Picnic. I look forward to enjoying some music, games, and food trucks celebrating this joyful community.
While we have so many things to celebrate, I would be remiss if I didn’t address recent violent events that have unfolded in the news across our nation. My concern is over the accessibility of violent imagery and videos, especially for our students who have social media accounts. While your child may follow accounts that use filtered images and deliver well-balanced opinions, your child could be exposed to even more graphic images/videos, hate speech, and sometimes general misinformation due to the algorithms. Experts note that this issue is more prevalent among TikTok users, but it can also occur on other platforms. Many of our students are unprepared for the images they might encounter, and once seen, these images cannot be unseen. I encourage you to discuss the platforms your child uses with them and decide whether to limit their interactions or temporarily delete the apps.
Global events, such as 9/11, may be woven into classroom discussions when appropriate to the content area and the students’ developmental levels; however, other events are better discussed with a parent and centered around your family values. I have shared the resources below in the past, and I hope they can be helpful as you navigate challenging conversations.
Thinking of you,
Jenn
Media Consumption
- Explaining the News to Our Kids (Common Sense Media)
- Helping Children Cope with Frightening News (Child Mind Institute)
- How to Talk to Children about Difficult News (American Psychological Association)
Helping Children Cope with Upsetting News Events
- Helping Children Cope with Terrorism–Tips for Families and Educators (National Association of School Psychologists)
- Tips for Talking With and Helping Children and Youth Cope After a Disaster or Traumatic Event (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration)
- Talking to Children About Tragedies (American Academy of Pediatrics)
- Helping Children Cope After a Traumatic Event (Child Mind Institute)
- Promoting Compassion and Acceptance in Crisis (National Association of School Psychologists)