March 26, 2018
Dear Parents and Guardians,
We wanted to take a moment to communicate about how we are supporting your children at school since Emma’s passing. We continue to see children both individually and in group settings. While many students have appreciated the structure and inherent value of leaning back into academics, others continue to benefit from flexibility within their schedules and opportunities for taking breaks during the day. We are meeting each child where they are and supporting their individual needs. We have greatly appreciated and benefitted from your correspondence and partnership with us when you are concerned for your children.
As we continue to navigate within this process of healing, we encourage you to consider the following strategies to help support your children:
- Have open and honest conversations around mental health and suicide. http://www.sptsusa.org/parents/talking-to-your-kid-about-suicide/
- Check in often with your children around their friendships and emotions, specifically as they may relate to managing this loss.
- Come up with an agreed upon family system for monitoring social media - inviting opportunities to problem solve, explore friendship dynamics, and encourage practicing kindness in online communication. https://www.raisingdigitalnatives.com/blog/
We are grateful for the opportunity to continue to support your children during the school days, especially within this process of healing from such a challenging tragedy. Should emotional concerns present outside of the school day, please be reminded of the 24/7 Clinical Support that is provided by calling CRISIS: 774-HELP. Please consider sharing this phone number with your children, who can call directly to receive support for themselves, and/or guidance on how to support a friend in need.
Thank you for partnering with us to best support the social and emotional development of all HMS students. As always, please feel free to reach out to us with questions or concerns.
Jessica Townsend, LCSW
Susan Parr, LCPC
Laura Mike, School Counselor