Whole School – The Importance of Community

Trauma sensitivity requires a whole-school effort.
• Strong community support can reduce the severity of trauma symptoms.
• Schools are communities for children.
• Children need to feel safe and connected to adults and peers everywhere in the school—in the classroom, the cafeteria, the hallway, the special activities, the bus—not just in one program or with one teacher. Moreover, addressing trauma’s impact at school requires that adults share responsibility for all children. No one teacher can do it alone, and services, while very important, are most effective when they are coordinated to help students feel safe and supported throughout the school day. This requires the teamwork of everyone in the school. It is important to remember that we will never know all the children who have been affected by traumatic events. The best approach is to create a school-wide environment where all children, including those who have been traumatized, can be successful.

Part of a presentation by Joel M. Ristuccia, Ed.M. and the Trauma and Learning Policy Initiative.

[raquelcastaneda]

We need to be informed and supportive of our students.

[jorgemoreno]

I really like this video. It is very informative.