Responding to events in Washington DC

Dear Colleagues,

Today's events in Washington, DC were shocking and disheartening.  I have no doubt that many of our students will already have some knowledge of these events when they arrive in your classrooms tomorrow morning.  I have every confidence that you will use your knowledge of child development, your teaching expertise, and your compassion to respond to their questions and maintain a warm, inclusive community.  When tragedies arise, it's our role as educators to provide our students with a safe place in which to express themselves, to acknowledge their feelings, and to uphold the truth.  

I am including a link to an article posted by Teaching Tolerance that you may find helpful: When Bad Things Are Happening as well as a link to an article for parents from Common Sense Media: Explaining the News to Our Kids.  

In addition, you may find guidance from MA History and Social Science Frameworks and from the Social Justice Standards.  

Please let me know how I may support you in this work.

Thank you for your ongoing commitment to our students and their learning.

Warmly,

Melissa