Preparing for the start of a new school year can be a daunting experience for educators at the best of times. But this year presents a unique set of challenges for schools across the region and around the country amid the global pandemic and its significant impact on all aspects of people’s daily lives.
Schools and educators face a critical moment as they develop reopening plans to comply with healthy and safety protocols, social distancing guidelines, and make difficult decisions on the balance of classroom instruction and remote learning offered to students to start the year.
When classes resume, educators need to prepare for another challenge: acknowledging and addressing the potential grief and trauma experienced by staff and students during the COVID-19 school closures. As the NJ Department of Education emphasized in its restart plan for schools, the full impact of the pandemic and the collateral consequences from isolation, fear, and economic hardship have yet to be realized and must be addressed head on by incorporating social and emotional learning into everyday school life.
At Good Grief, we know that while loss and adversity are excruciating, they also afford a unique opportunity for change, learning, and even growth. Amid all the stress, uncertainty, and grief so many of us are feeling heading into the new school year, we encourage you to consider the opportunities for transformational work with your students, families, and communities.
Our Good Grief Schools program was developed based on the understanding that schools are a critical space for ensuring a child’s emotional, physical, and mental health. Good Grief Schools consists of four programs designed to create a healthy and supportive environment for students, educators, and parents as described below.
Contact us today to learn more about these programs and how we can help you navigate through these challenging times. All our training programs are offered virtually to reduce any stress or unnecessary risks of gathering in person. All program materials and resources will be available online for easy access and distribution.
Good Grief Schools is here to help. We look forward to supporting you on the road back to school!
Grief support groups for students who have experienced the death of a loved one.
A social and emotional learning program that focuses on building connections and adaptive coping to adversity.
Training for faculty on grief and trauma-informed practices to support students through loss and adversity.
Training and resources for parents to support their children in the home through loss and adversity.
