Social Emotional Resources

Dear members of the Waltham Public Schools community,

On behalf of the entire district, we are deeply saddened by the recent terror attack on Israel and the escalating war. We are heartbroken and trying to make sense of this past week and the unimaginable violence and loss of life across the region. Whether our young people in Waltham are impacted directly or indirectly by these events, the violent images they may be exposed to by social media and television are frightening and traumatizing. It is our hope for compassion, peace and safety during this extremely difficult time.

Attached, please see Mayor McCarthy’s message to the City of Waltham which will also be posted on the city’s website.

We know this is impacting our community and we are committed to providing a safe space for all members of our community to be supported in times of crisis no matter their affiliation, country of origin, religion or background.

District and school leadership have gathered some resources (see below) to support our families with any conversations they may choose to have with their children.

Please know that we strive to ensure the physical and emotional well being of all students and adults in the Waltham Public Schools. If you or your child need support, please reach out to your child’s school adjustment counselor or building administrator.

Please take care of yourself and those around you.

Sincerely,

Leanne Wilcinski

Acting Superintendent of Schools

As educators, we must make sure we provide a safe space for all members of our community to learn about current events and process their emotions and trauma in a healthy, safe and productive way. To help better understand this event we've gathered mental health, and social and emotional learning resources to support educators and families in assisting students. The resources below are intended solely to provide access to information.

These resources are neither meant to be exhaustive nor is their inclusion an endorsement of a particular political viewpoint.

The National Child Traumatic Stress Network provides resources that can be filtered by topic, keyword, and audience with a focus on how adults can identify traumatic responses in young people and how to support them.

Helping children cope after a Traumatic Event provides tips on what to expect, what to do and what to look out for to support a child at different age groups.

How to Talk to Kids About What's Happening in Israel Right Now: This article from Kveller shares balanced scripts parents and family members can use with their children based on their age range.

How to Talk to Kids About Violence, Crime, and War: Common Sense Media gathers tips and conversation starters to help you talk to kids of different ages about the toughest topics.

Handle with Care: Supporting Young People During Crises: Learning for Justice offers recommendations and resources to help guide conversations with young people and to manage potential subsequent actions and reactions.

If you or people in your life are grappling with sadness, anxiety, and grief, you can reach JF&CS Mental Health Connect by calling 781-693-5562 or by writing to mentalhealth@jfcsboston.org. They offer free and confidential advice, referrals to therapists (including Hebrew-speaking), support groups, and other resources for addressing mental health concerns.