SUPPORTING OUR CHILDREN
RESOURCES FOR CRISIS • TRAUMA • STRESS
LETTER FROM SUPERINTENDENT CALA
Dear Bennett Valley Staff & Families:
As the superintendent of an elementary school district and as the mother of an elementary school student, stories of school violence hit really hard.
In addition to my initial response of heartbreak, each act of school violence reminds me of my responsibility to our community.
BVUSD will continue to comprehensively review our safety plans which include safety protocols as well as a commitment to support the social and emotional well-being of our staff and students.
The resources on this page are intended to help adults talk to children about scary events in the news. As always, I recommend letting children guide these conversations with their questions rather than over-sharing details a child is not ready to process.
Sincerely,
Lexie Cala
Superintendent
Statement from Superintendent Herrington on Elementary School Shooting in Uvalde, Texas
Resources for School Families, Teachers and Administrators Following Uvalde, Texas
SHOOTINGS
VIOLENCE & TRADEGY
WAR
GENERAL TOOLS & RESOURCES
EQUITY & SOCIAL JUSTICE
FOSTERING CIVIL DISCOURCE
GENERAL TIPS
(from SCOE)
The pandemic, wildfires, social justice movement, and other current events have heightened the need to be sensitive to the effect these events can have on children. Thankfully, any parent, teacher, or adult who works with children can be a source of healing when armed with the right tools. Following are tools to help children cope with trauma and deal with their stress in positive ways, as well as resources for how to identify and help a child in crisis.
Experience Varies from Child to Child
Even if a child wasn't directly affected by a stressful or traumatic event, she could still be impacted in many ways, including the stress it places on the adults in her life or images she's seen in the news.
There is no right or wrong timeline for how quickly a child will recover from trauma. Some children will experience a period of time in which they perceive everyone else around them having returned to“normal”. It is important not to remove supports too soon, particularly for these children. Providing ongoing opportunities to tell their stories and seek support can help prevent long-term symptoms such as anxiety and depression.
Many factors affect how a child recovers from a tragedy, including the support and resources he receives at home and school, said Dr. David Schonfeld, a nationally renowned expert in school crisis and director of the National Center for School Crisis and Bereavement at the University of Southern California. Here are some signs to look out for and ways to support a child.
Signs of Distress
All children grieve differently: Some may become aggressive or hyper, while others may withdraw. A child’s behavior can also change over time, in response to something that reminds him of the disaster or another stressful life event. That said, here are some common signs that a child could be struggling to adjust.
Trouble sleeping
Separation anxiety
Fear of going to school
Trouble concentrating
Withdrawal
Increased irritability or anxiety
Loss of academic performance
Regressive behaviors in young children (bedwetting, tantrums)
Depression, lack of interest in activities they usually enjoy
Substance abuse
Physical symptoms such as headaches or fatigue
No symptoms after experiencing a significant trauma
How to Help
A supportive response can help a child heal and even grow after a traumatic experience. Here are a few tips:
Be there: Perhaps the most important thing you can do is talk with—and listen to— your children. “Be present, observant, and let them know we are here for you. That can go a long way,” advises Dr. Schonfeld. Be sure to let them know it is OK to ask questions and share their feelings.
Be flexible with expectations: “When you have kids that are struggling and they feel they aren’t keeping up to expectations, that puts a lot of stress on them,” says Dr. Schonfeld. Patience, flexibility, and extra attention can all give a child the room he or she needs to heal. This can include gentle reminders or added help with chores or homework.
Be a role model: Children take cues for how to handle stressful situations from their parents, according to the National Child Traumatic Stress Network. Do your best to model calm behaviors and healthy self-care.
Take care of yourself: You may be familiar with the advice “put your own air mask on first.” You can’t be a good role model if you are struggling yourself. Go easy on yourself during this difficult time. Take time to make sure you are eating and sleeping well, getting exercise, and receiving proper medical care.
Seek professional help: If a child you care for has shown signs of distress for more than six weeks after the fires, consider consulting with a mental health professional for an evaluation.
General Stress Management
Create daily structure and routine
Sleep, eat well, and drink water
Maintain social connections
Attend to your physical self-care by finding movement, exercising, and getting outside safely
Know your limits and know that it is okay to ask for help
Engage wisely with news and media
Focus on what you can control
Focus on your breathing with intention
Look for joy and gratitude
Community Resources
For general information about community and mental health resources, dial 2-1-1
Local Mental health and support hotlines
North Bay Suicide Prevention Hotline (855) 587-6373
Sonoma County Suspected Child Abuse Hotline (800) 870-7064
Psychiatric Emergency Services (800) 746-8181
Verity Sexual Assault Hotline (707) 545-7273
YWCA Domestic Violence Services (707) 546-1234
National mental health resources (24 hour)
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (800) 273-8255
The Trevor Project (866) 488-7386 (A 24-hour, confidential suicide hotline for LGBTQ youth.)
Samhsa’s National Helpline (800) 662-HELP(4357) (Referral and information service (English and Spanish) for those facing mental and/or substance use disorders)
The TALKline (415) 441-KIDS (5437) (A 24-hour Crisis Line for Parents in the Bay Area that provides support, information, service referrals)
Crisis TEXT Line Text 741741 (Serves anyone, in any type of crisis, providing access to free, 24/7 support and information)
MOST RESOURCES ARE SHARED COURTESY OF:
DISTRICT OFFICE
(707) 542 • 2201 | www.bvusd.org | 2250 Mesquite Drive • Santa Rosa • Ca
YULUPA OFFICE
(707) 542 • 6272 | lone.svoma@bvusd.org | 2250 Mesquite Drive • Santa Rosa • Ca
STRAWBERRY OFFICE
(707) 526 • 4433 | anne.martinez@bvusd.org | 2311 Horseshoe Drive • Santa Rosa • Ca
ATTENDANCE | (707) 542 • 2395 | attendance@bvusd.org