1.15.2021

In the aftermath of the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol last week, I have thought a great deal about the challenge confronting us as adults—parents and educators. How do we help our children make sense of things that are hard for us to comprehend?
 
 
How much to tell children about what’s unfolding? How much to let them see? How much to discuss in the classroom or at the dinner table? How to maintain a sense of normalcy even when it is nowhere to be found in our lives?
 
In the coming days and weeks, our children will be looking to us for guidance and reassurance. It is important that we remember to secure our own oxygen masks first.
 
Our School Counselor, Saba Wong, recommends that as adults we do the following this long weekend.
  • Take breaks from the news and social media if you begin to feel overwhelmed. Try reaching out to a friend or colleague to check-in.
  • Be selective about which media you will be consuming (for example, listening to the radio for news, watching a certain channel, etc.) Try to choose one source that you trust and you know will not overwhelm you.
  • Set aside time to debrief with a friend, family member, or colleague to process emotions and to seek support.
In my 30 years working with children, I have discovered that they have heightened senses. They are keen observers and they are perceptive when things aren’t right. If they’re consuming news and social media right now, they’ve got a lot to process and you’ll want to know what they’re observing. The best we can do is open ourselves to their inquiries. 
 
Let them ask questions. Let them wonder aloud. Let them talk about things unrelated to the events around us. As adults, we don't have to have all the answers. None of us do. But being present for their curiosity and storytelling are beautiful ways to remind them their thoughts matter, and that you are holding them close in the midst of the unknown. 
 
When we come back to school on Wednesday morning we’ll meet for worship and hold space for each other like we do every week. We’ll support one another no matter what happens. Let us hold each other, our families who reside on Capitol Hill and in the District of Columbia, and our nation in the Light. 
 
In peace,
Angela
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Located in College Park, MD, Friends Community School is a progressive Quaker K-8 day school, founded on the belief that every child is a valued member of our community. We offer a challenging curriculum imbued with strong values of equality, integrity, community, environmental stewardship, simplicity and peaceful conflict resolution, rooted in our Quaker heritage.
Friends Community School
5901 Westchester Park Drive
College Park, Maryland 20740
301-441-2100