Schools Supporting Students After Capitol Breach: Superintendent

East Haven CT

08 January, 2021

5:01 PM

Description

EAST HAVEN, CT — East Haven schools superintendent Erica Forti sent a message home to families to share how the district's educators and support staff are responding to the breach of the US Capitol by followers of Pres. Donald Trump Wednesday intent on stopping the Electoral College certification of Joe Biden as the next president. Forti said teachers and staff have resources to help kids process the historic events. "In the face of the events in Washington, DC, I wanted to write to you about our response to the situation. As with the many challenges we've faced throughout this school year, there is little precedent for the best response to such evolving circumstances. We have shared general guidance and resources with our teachers and staff, emphasizing age-appropriate ways to help students process the events, and encouraging discussion if and when students want to talk about what happened. We also reminded them that our students are looking to them as an example of how to work through challenges together. We are very aware that our adults are our children's first teachers, and we know that many parents and families may have already had similar conversations with their children. In that light, I wanted to share with you a link similar to one we provided our teachers and staff that includes information on talking to kids about difficult subjects. https://www.commonsensemedia.org/blog/how-to-talk-to-kids-about-difficult-subjects As we navigate this latest bout with adversity in an already challenging school year, please know that our priority is to remain committed to our mission of providing our students with high quality, and social and emotionally responsive, learning experiences while supporting our staff and families in doing so. Respectfully and in solidarity, Erica Forti