Today is my second day out of school due to Hurricane Irma. I am looking outside my window and I see fallen limbs and basketball goals, broken fences, and damaged roofs. Needless to say...we were very fortunate. Although many of my neighbors still lack electricity (my daughter has been out of power for two days), our part of the state really dodged extensive damage. Unfortunately, there are many families who lost their homes due to either the direct or indirect results of the hurricane. Not only is there the recent destruction by Irma in the Southeast, but there is the lingering devastation left by Harvey and the impending uncertainty of Hurricane Jose. The 2017 hurricane season is definitely making itself known in the Caribbean and US!
Out of the ruins of these devastating storms, there are always the victims. Often people who are taken out of their everyday routines desire a sense of normalcy. Fortunately, school can be that place of safety and peace for students who have experienced a disaster or traumatic event like a hurricane. As school counselors, you may see an influx of students coming from other regions of the country who have been displaced by a major storm. It is important to have resources to deal with students' needs from trauma. Dr. Robin Gorwitch reported in an ASCA Webinar from 2011 that students who experience trauma could face the following impacts on learning:
- Decreased lQ and reading ability;
- Lower grade point average;
- Higher absenteeism;
- Decreased rates in graduation;
- Higher rates of expulsion
Resources
School Crisis Center - Provides free resources for school counselors from responding to terrorist attacks to suicide. Also includes notification templates for schools.
Tips for Speaking to Students Who Experience Disaster
Resources for Students Experiencing Disasters
Tips for Talking With and Helping Students and Youth Cope after a Disaster or Traumatic Event
Helping Children After a Natural Disaster: Information for Families and Educators
American School Counselor Association: Helping Students after a Hurricane
Teacher Guidelines for Helping Students after a Hurricane
Guidelines for Schools Working with Displaced Students
Meeting the Educational Needs of Students Displaced by Disasters
Supporting the Education of Unaccompanied Students Experiencing Homelessness
What School Administrators Need to Know About the Educational Rights of Children and Youth Displaced by Disasters
When Legal Guardians are not Present: Enrolling Students on Their Own
Enrolling Children and Youth Experiencing Homelessness in School
What is a Local Homeless Education Liaison?
Who is Homeless?
Summary of the McKinney-Vento Act of 2001
Information for Parents
After the Storm: Information for Parents on How Schools Can Help After a Disaster
Psychological First Aid Training for Teachers
Psychological First Aid Training (checklist for teachers to identify students who are at-risk and need a referral)
Webinars for Educators
Supporting the Education of Unaccompanied Homeless Students Under ESSA
Understanding Doubling Up
Paving the Way to College for Students Experiencing Homelessness
Student Activities
Simple Activities for Children and Adolescents
Other Posts from For High School Counselors about Homeless Students
Helping Homeless Teens when the Couch is their Home
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