While you are on winter break, you will likely be someplace with heat, hot water and food… So. Much. Food. For the most part, so will your students. While the majority of our students will be thrilled for all the joys accompanying winter break, there are some not looking forward to this time of year.
Picture the child living in a motel, sharing cramped space with a sibling, extended family member, or perhaps the son or daughter of the person their parent is currently dating; not knowing where they will live at the beginning of the month.
Picture the child living in a large home opening all the presents they asked for as their parents are getting ready to separate from one another the week after Christmas.
Picture the child spending winter break taking care of their four younger siblings all day because there wasn’t enough money for gifts let alone childcare; and picture the child who is terrified because they remember what happened the last time uncle Mark came to visit…
While the holiday season is stressful for all of us, we as adults have some control on how we cope with that stress or remove ourselves from it altogether. Our students don’t always have that.
While we can’t solve all of the world’s problems, we can acknowledge those students who may be going home to less than ideal situations. Depending on the relationship you’ve built with the student, you may be able to help keep them from a dangerous situation. The best thing you can do to support your students is to keep doing what you have been: working on building relationships with your students, and continuing to ensure they feel safe and welcome into your learning environment on a daily basis. Not sure what else you need to do? Ask a member of your administrative team, or your school counselor.