Newton Schools Offer Help For Students After U.S. Capitol Riots

NEWTON, MA — Local education leaders are asking teachers and parents to consider how young people may interpret the history-making siege of the U.S. Capitol by Donald Trump supporters on Jan. 6.

At least one Newton principal sent an email to staff and the community, according to Newton Superintendent David Fleishman to share tips for parents and teachers on how to talk to children about violence and an 2018 article from Teaching Tolerance on how educators can respond when news about disaster or violence breaks.

"Many teachers did address what transpired in social studies discussions," said Fleishman. "I observed some thoughtful and engaging discussions among 7th and 8th grade classes at Brown Middle School."

Newton schools were not the only community to reach out to families and teachers to help students process and learn about what happened Wednesday on Capitol Hill.

In neighboring Waltham, the Waltham School Principal Paul Maiorano sent a message to parents noting the impact of the news as students logged into school Thursday.

"The images emerging from our Capitol yesterday were shocking, appalling, and very likely deeply impacting each of us," he said in a separate email to teachers. "As we all attempt to come to grips with another dark day in American History, I hope that you will find some time and space to process this shameful event with colleagues and students over the next several days."

Maiorano shared links to resources for teachers on the Days After The Attack On The U.S. Capitol from Dr. Alyssa Hadley-Dunn, Associate Professor of Teacher Education at Michigan State University to use to consider classroom approaches to the events in Washington D.C.

Students would likely need the opportunity to ask questions and to understand the electoral process, he said.

"It is our responsibility to provide them with the facts and a safe, supportive place to write about their emotions and engage in critical thinking through respectful, evidenced-based discussions," Maiorano said.

In Brookline, Florida Ruffin Ridley K-8 Principal Jennifer Buller sent home an email to families Wednesday night noting that the conversation would likely need to continue beyond school, but implored families to listen and be honest in their efforts.

"There is so much we need to engage in with our community to ensure a more just society and disrupt the conditions and systems that created and allowed this moment today," she wrote. There are likely so many questions that your child(ren) will have tomorrow, and the next day, and in the coming months. It is ok for us not to have all the answers or be able to fully tease apart and process this moment. The images in the media of today's events may invoke fear and trauma for many in our community. The most important thing for us to do right now for each other and your child(ren) is listen and be honest.

The Wednesday afternoon riot produced unprecedented images of chaos on Capitol Hill. Four people died — including one woman who was shot by Capitol police — and by Thursday morning 52 people had been arrested.

Read more coverage:

• 'This Is Anarchy': MA Lawmakers Speak Amid Chaos On Capitol Hill
• Gov. Baker Calls For President Trump To Be Removed From Office
• MA Rep. Jake Auchincloss's First Day In Congress Met With Lockdown

Jenna Fisher is a news reporter for Patch. Got a tip? She can be reached at Jenna.Fisher@patch.com or by calling 617-942-0474. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram (@ReporterJenna). Have a something you'd like posted on the Patch? Here's how.