Harding High School
Trauma Informed School Newsletter - December 2015 Edition
What is all this talk I hear about "Trauma"?
In addition, many people are experiencing toxic levels of stress. The Adverse Childhood Experiences Study (ACES) demonstrating how common traumatic events are. Importantly, the study also drew a correlation between the number of ACES and the level of poor health and/or social outcomes for people.
So what does this have to do with education?
•Worry about recurrence or consequences of violence
• Withdrawal from others or activities
• Irritability with friends, teachers, events
• Angry outbursts and/or aggression
• Decreased attention and/or concentration
• Absenteeism
• Increase in impulsivity
•Increased risk for substance abuse
•Negative impact on issues of trust and perceptions of others
•Over- or under-reacting to bells, physical contact, doors slamming, sirens, lighting, sudden movements
•Heightened difficulty with authority, redirection, or criticism
• Hyperarousal (e.g., sleep disturbance, tendency to be easily startled)
ALL OF THESE FACTORS ADD UP TO DIFFICULTY FOCUSING ON ACADEMIC INSTRUCTION AND/OR FOLLOWING ADULT DIRECTIVES.
Ways to Create Safety in your Classroom
How can I structure my classroom to increase sense of safety for my students?
Trusting Relationships
Empathy
Listening
Reliability
Predictability
Routines
Structure
Explicit Rules
Explicit Expectations
Build community
Community circles
Morning meetings
The right to pass
Shared celebrations
Restorative practices
Inclusiveness
Respect for all
Appreciation of differences