Community Letter 1.27.23

January 27, 2023

Dear Noble Community;

Earlier this month, an act of violence occurred in the south in which a young man was pulled over, beaten, and later died. It has been reported that authorities anticipate releasing video footage of this event which may be traumatizing for students and adults alike. Whether families follow the news closely, or not, many students will encounter various levels of exposure to the footage on social media. The footage will impact community members in various ways.

As students struggle to process what they see, take the time to listen to your children, answer the questions that you can, and know that it’s okay not to have all the answers. Please know that your child’s school is here to help if your child is having a hard time. Our schools are equipped with skilled counselors and staff members who are trained to support students in processing difficult situations. We have included some resource links below to help with supportive conversations with your children, and encourage you to reach out as needed.

• How to Talk to Kids about Tragedies in the Media (Child Development Institute)

• Talking to Children about Violence (National Association of School Psychologists)

• Age-Related Reactions to a Traumatic Event (The National Child Traumatic Stress Network)

• Assisting Parents/Caregivers in Coping with Collective Traumas (The National Child Traumatic Stress Network)

• Creating Supportive Environments When Scary Things Happen (Center for Resilience & Well-Being in Schools

• How To Talk To Your Kids About Difficult World Events

• How to Talk to Your Child About the News - Kids Health

Sincerely,

Audra Beauvais

Superintendent of Schools