We wish we didn’t need a page of this kind on our website. We wish there was no use for it. Our children, however, are not immune to the stress, pain, and confusion that follow hate crimes and violent tragedies. It is our shared responsibility as teachers and parents to offer them an opportunity to express and begin to process feelings that the students bring to us. The way we support children will vary depending on a child’s age, their exposure to information, and their personality and need.

Furthermore, because we are Burgundy–and we as a school have demonstrated a longtime commitment to racial equality, peace and justice–we should continue to be leaders in making our world a more peacefully diverse and inclusive place.

We offer here a few resources to assist you in addressing these difficult tasks. If you have additional questions or concerns, please contact Burgundy’s Counselor/Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Pat Harden (path@burgundyfarm.org).

Parenting

How to Talk to Kids about Violence, Crime, and War (Common Sense Media, 2019)

Talking to Children About Tragedies & Other News Events (American Academy of Pediatrics, 2018)

Having the Talk (Teaching Tolerance, 2018)

Helping Kids after a Shooting (American School Counselor Association)

Explaining the News to Our Kids (Common Sense Media, 2017)

Helping Children Cope with Frightening News (Child Mind Institute)

Helping Children Cope with Terrorism: Tips for Families & Educators (National Association of School Psychologists)

Empowering Young People in the Aftermath of Hate (Anti-Defamation League)

Telling My White Four-Year-Old about Alton Sterling and Philando Castile (Raising Race-Conscious Children, 2016)

“We need to deal with our discomfort and talk to our kids about racism.” (The Washington Post, 2015)

Hate, Violence, and Trauma: Talking with Children (Unitarian Universalist Association)

Cultural Competence/Perspectives

After Charlottesville: Teaching about Racism, Anti-Semitism and White Supremacy (Anti-Defamation League)

Death in Black and White (Opinion, New York Times, 2016)

Culturally Competent Kids

Self-Care for People of Color

Self-Care for People of Color after Psychological Trauma (Just Jasmine, 2016)

Change the Story: A Guide to Action after the Alton Sterling & Philando Castile Tragedies (Blavity, 2016)

Teaching about Race, Racism and Police Violence (Teaching Tolerance)

Being a White Ally

The City Where I Live and Where Alton Sterling Died (Opinion, New York Times, 2016)

Anti-Oppression Resources and Exercises (Organizing for Power, Organizing for Change)

“What makes effective white allies? Training not shaming.” (Waging Non-Violence, 2015)

 

Updated August 2019