Supporting our Students

To the Brookline School Community,

As you are likely already aware, violence is escalating rapidly in Israel and Palestine. We know that this situation is particularly troubling for those in our community who have direct and indirect ties to the region. The news is extremely upsetting and events are still developing - literally minute by minute in some cases. It is possible that the situation will have changed by the time you read this.

We know that any time the world experiences violence of this sort, students look to their teachers and support staff for clarity, safety, and support. As we talk to our students about this situation, it can feel vulnerable and challenging not to have easy or simple answers as to why this is happening. As children ask questions and express fear, anger, sadness or other emotions, it is important to validate their experiences and to normalize that there is no “right” way to respond to a situation like this. As adults, being honest about our own emotions, and our own uncertainty, is one of the best ways to create space to talk about this situation and the feelings we are collectively experiencing.

What can I do?

Finding certainty in uncertain times is challenging. Offer to students that the situation is evolving and there may not be clarity at the moment. We also recommend:

1. Keep up with events
Try and keep yourself informed with the basics of the situation from reliable sources. Unfortunately, it is unlikely that this situation will end quickly and we expect events to progress, particularly over the next few days. Additionally, media reporting on Israel and Palestine is ripe for misinformation and bias. We recommend sticking with media sources that focus on the facts of the situation.

2. Avoid sharing news articles with students

As mentioned above, finding unbiased media coverage on this subject is challenging and perhaps impossible. This conflict is lengthy, delicate, and contentious. Additionally, many news reports will show troubling still and video images of violence that could harm students. Lastly, the situation is developing rapidly and it may be impossible to keep pace with changing information.

3. Build your background knowledge

The situation is a long standing conflict with a deep and fraught history. Take some time to look through the Additional Resources linked below.

What can I do with students?

It is ok to feel like the issue is too emotionally difficult to discuss appropriately. Do not feel obligated to discuss the specifics of the situation with your students. That said, many of your students may come in with questions or concerns no matter your role or grade level. If students come to you with hard questions, take it as a sign of their trust in you.

If you choose to address the situation, physical and emotional safety are paramount. Learning for Justice has a guide for supporting students through crisis. That may be sufficient for our youngest students.

Much like other difficult news, we can help students process their thoughts and feelings. We can make sure that our schools and classrooms are safe spaces. Educators’ judgment in balancing accuracy with honesty is the same as when we examine violence in our own country.

You can collect students’ hopes and fears as a way to help them process. You can also discuss the power of bearing witness to stories and experiences. If you have been using circles, you could modify this circle on witnessing violence.

If you would like to address the issues with your students, it is wise to check in with their readiness before you begin. To help with actual discussion, we are including a simple protocol that Jen Martin, BHS Social Studies Coordinator, offers for discussing difficult current events:

1. Tell your students you would like to make space to talk about what is happening in the news. Be explicit about how long you intend to spend on the topic.
2. Share some basic facts about the situation with the class.
3. Give students a few minutes to journal and reflect on their reactions.

• What have you read/heard about this conflict over the weekend?
  
• How are you feeling about this news?
  
• What are some questions that you have about this conflict?
  

Regards,

Linus J. Guillory Jr., PhD

Superintendent