Message to Skokie73.5 Families & Staff

October 12, 2023

Dear Families & Staff,

The news of the Israel-Hamas war has caused great concern among staff, students, and families. Many in our diverse community are directly or indirectly affected by this conflict; our hearts are with them. Even for those not directly affected, pervasive media coverage broadens the impact.

Some children may struggle to understand and express their feelings about what they are seeing and hearing. We urge you to be cautious and closely monitor your child’s social media activity on channels that might be flooded with violent images.

Here are some resources to use at home as you seek ways to discuss violence and war with your children:

• How to Talk to Kids About Violence, Crime, and War
  Common Sense Media gathers tips and conversation starters to help us talk to students of different ages about the toughest topics.
   
• Helping Children Cope with Tragedy
  The National Association of Elementary School Principals shares an article about helping students cope with tragic events.
   
• Resilience in a Time of War: Tips for Parents and Teachers…
  These articles from the American Psychological Association provide tips to guide young children beyond fear to resilience.
  • Elementary School
  • Middle School

During these times, it's important to remember that we are here to support our students and each other. Students may reach out to their classroom teachers and/or our Student Services Team, which is staffed by trained mental health providers.

Sincerely,

Dr. Zipporah Hightower
Superintendent
and the
Skokie73.5 Board of Education