Belmont Schools Prepared to Discuss a Difficult Recess Week

Dr. Thomas Kingston reiterated Monday, April 22 what students, parents and educators have been thinking for the past week.

"Certainly this spring school vacation week has been different from any other," said Kingston as school resumed after the April recess, a time when mass targeted terrorism returned to the United States and they and their friends were locked down in their homes as a killer was being hunted down on the streets one town over.

"[The bombings] may well have an impact on our children for weeks and months ahead," said Kingston, who said each school principal would be making special announcements on the subject on Monday.

While the veteran educator made the pledge that "our schools continue to be safe places and refuges for all our children and youth," not all students will re-adjust quickly to a normal routine. 

"If parents, teachers, or counselors detect anxiety or concern on the part of students, they should certainly bring those concerns to the attention of school staff," he said.  

Additionally, Kingston said in his blog, parents may wish to refer to a couple of excellent websites that provide some useful information about dealing with children’s worries in the light of broad civil crises:

http://www.aacap.org/cs/root/resources_for_families/talking_to_children_about_community_violence.

http://rems.ed.gov/HelpingYouthandChildrenRecoverFromTraumaticEvents.aspx

Boston Children’s Hospital has also offered two sites for information that might be helpful:

http://childrenshospitalblog.org/talking-to-children-after-tragedy/ 

http://nctsn.org/trauma-types/terrorism

In fact, it is difficult to measure how each individual has been impacted by these tragic events, said Belmont High's principal. Without a doubt the emotions that follow will be indelible, he noted.

Guidance counselors and the High School's psychologist can be used to help unscramble some of the confusion and questions students may have," said Richards, who said many students may not need these services but will be comforted just knowing they are there.

"As for the faculty and staff, I ask that you support each and remember that we are a family at Belmont High School," said Richards.

He encourages parents and guardians to speak with their children to see if they have any questions. They can assist in these conversations using an article from the National Association of School Psychologist entitled "Talking to Children about Violence: Information for Parents and Guardians."