Jones Journal for Families March 24, 2023

Jones Academy where we #shinebright with #jonespride. Please scroll to read this newsletter.

Principally Speaking

"Where flowers bloom, so does hope." ~ Lady Bird Johnson

Our hearts are broken as we think about the tragic loss of life and the impact on the Lamar High School Community. While awful news of this shooting naturally creates fear and anxiety, please remember that these events are rare and safety is always a priority for us. Our schools are very safe places, and we follow security practices and protocols to maintain that safe environment and we appreciate your support. Ms. Robles shares some good tips below about talking with children about violence and I encourage you to read it. Nuestros corazones se rompen al pensar en la trágica pérdida de vida y el impacto en la comunidad de Lamar High School. Entiendo que las terribles noticias de este tiroteo naturalmente crean miedo y ansiedad, recuerde que estos eventos son raros y la seguridad siempre es una prioridad para nosotros. Nuestras escuelas son lugares muy seguros y seguimos prácticas y protocolos de seguridad para mantener ese ambiente seguro y agradecemos su apoyo. La Sra. Robles comparte algunos consejos a continuación sobre cómo hablar con los niños sobre la violencia y los animo a leerlos.

Also, many of you know that my father recently passed away and I deeply appreciate your expressions of sympathy. I am very grateful for our kind school community and I can't thank my staff and our interim Assistant Principal Leesa Monroe enough for all the help during my absence. 💙 Además, muchos de ustedes saben que mi padre falleció recientemente y agradezco profundamente sus expresiones de pésame. Estoy muy agradecido por nuestra amable comunidad escolar y no puedo agradecer lo suficiente a mi personal y a nuestro subdirectora interino Leesa Monroe por toda la ayuda durante mi ausencia. 💙

• Please encourage your child to be responsible with their own belongings and keep up with their sweaters and jackets. The Lost and Found is getting out of control. Have your students recover their missing items by next Friday before it all gets donated. Anime a su hijo a ser responsable con sus pertenencias y mantenerse sus suéteres y chaquetas. Los objetos perdidos se están saliendo de control. Haga que sus estudiantes recuperen sus artículos perdidos el próximo viernes antes de que se done todo.
• Attendance is a priority. Families shall support their child's learning by making every effort to make sure their child is at school and on time every day. Classes start at 8:10 a.m. and are considered late at 8:20 a.m.
• Avoid coming to the school from Lamar Boulevard in the morning for drop off or in the afternoon for pick-up. Do NOT come from Lamar. Please turn right on Van Buren after dropping off or picking up.
• Families agree to support and attend school functions, events and will maintain communication with teachers.
• La asistencia es una prioridad. Las familias deben apoyar el aprendizaje de sus hijos haciendo todo lo posible para asegurarse de que su hijo esté en la escuela y a tiempo todos los días. Las clases comienzan a las 8:10 a. m. y se consideran tarde a las 8:20 a.m.
• Evite venir a la escuela desde Lamar Boulevard en la mañana para dejar o en la tarde para recoger. NO vengas de Lamar. Gire a la derecha en Van Buren después de dejar o recoger.
• Las familias acuerdan apoyar y asistir a funciones y eventos escolares y mantendrán comunicación con los maestros.

Counselor Corner

Talking to Your Children About Violence

As most of you know, this week our community suffered an act of violence at Lamar High School. High profile acts of violence, particularly in schools, can confuse and frighten children who may feel in danger or worry that their friends or loved-ones are at risk. They will look to adults for information and guidance on how to react. Parents and school personnel can help children feel safe by establishing a sense of normalcy and security and talking with them about their fears. If your kids are asking questions and you’re not too sure how to approach the situation, check the tips below.

1. Reassure children that they are safe. Emphasize that schools are very safe. Validate their feelings. Explain that all feelings are okay when a tragedy occurs. Let children talk about their feelings, help put them into perspective, and assist them in expressing these feelings appropriately.

2. Make time to talk. Let their questions be your guide as to how much information to provide. Be patient; children and youth do not always talk about their feelings readily. Watch for clues that they may want to talk, such as hovering around while you do the dishes or yard work. Some children prefer writing, playing music, or doing an art project as an outlet. Young children may need concrete activities (such as drawing, looking at picture books, or imaginative play) to help them identify and express their feelings.

3. Keep your explanations developmentally appropriate.

• Early elementary school children need brief, simple information that should be balanced with reassurances that their school and homes are safe and that adults are there to protect them. Give simple examples of school safety like reminding children about exterior doors being locked, child monitoring efforts on the playground, and emergency drills practiced during the school day.
• Upper elementary and early middle school children will be more vocal in asking questions about whether they truly are safe and what is being done at their school. They may need assistance separating reality from fantasy. Discuss efforts of school and community leaders to provide safe schools.
• Upper middle school and high school students will have strong and varying opinions about the causes of violence in schools and society. They will share concrete suggestions about how to make school safer and how to prevent tragedies in society. Emphasize the role that students have in maintaining safe schools by following school safety guidelines (e.g. not providing building access to strangers, reporting strangers on campus, reporting threats to the school safety made by students or community members, etc.), communicating any personal safety concerns to school administrators, and accessing support for emotional needs.

4. Observe children’s emotional state. Some children may not express their concerns verbally. Changes in behavior, appetite, and sleep patterns can also indicate a child’s level of anxiety or discomfort. In most children, these symptoms will ease with reassurance and time. However, some children may be at risk for more intense reactions. Children who have had a past traumatic experience or personal loss, suffer from depression or other mental illness, or with special needs may be at greater risk for severe reactions than others. Seek the help of a mental health professional if you are at all concerned.

5. Limit television viewing of these events. Limit television viewing and be aware if the television is on in common areas. Developmentally inappropriate information can cause anxiety or confusion, particularly in young children. Adults also need to be mindful of the content of conversations that they have with each other in front of children, even teenagers, and limit their exposure to vengeful, hateful, and angry comments that might be misunderstood.

6. Maintain a normal routine. Keeping to a regular schedule can be reassuring and promote physical health. Ensure that children get plenty of sleep, regular meals, and exercise. Encourage them to keep up with their schoolwork and extracurricular activities but don’t push them if they seem overwhelmed

Suggested Points to Emphasize When Talking to Children

• Schools are safe places. School staff works with parents and public safety providers (local police and fire departments, emergency responders, hospitals, etc.) to keep you safe.
• Although there is no absolute guarantee that something bad will never happen, it is important to understand the difference between the possibility of something happening and probability that it will affect you (our school community).
• Senseless violence is hard for everyone to understand. Doing things that you enjoy, sticking to your normal routine, and being with friends and family help make us feel better and keep us from worrying about the event.
• Sometimes people do bad things that hurt others. They may be unable to handle their anger, under the influence of drugs or alcohol, or suffering from mental illness. Adults (parents, teachers, police officers, doctors, faith leaders) work very hard to get those people help and keep them from hurting others. It is important for all of us to know how to get help if we feel really upset or angry and to stay away from drugs and alcohol.
• Stay away from guns and other weapons. Tell an adult if you know someone has a gun. Access to guns is one of the leading risk factors for deadly violence.
• Violence is never a solution to personal problems. Students can be part of the positive solution by participating in anti-violence programs at school, learning conflict mediation skills, and seeking help from an adult if they or a peer is struggling with anger, depression, or other emotions they cannot control.