With anger and violence of historic proportions erupting around them, students of all ages are certain to be angry themselves, or frightened and confused. Parents or caregivers may be at a loss as to what they can say to comfort their children or help them understand.

Schools have a responsibility to put events in perspective, especially in troubled -- and troubling -- times like these.

On this page, we have assembled resources that parents can use to talk to their children and help them sort through issues of race, racism, violence, trauma, inequity, social justice, coping and resilience.

Leaders Speak Out An open letter by CEO Eric Gordon to the Cleveland community on the killing of George Floyd Statement by Michael Casserly, Executive Director, Council of the Great City Schools On the Killing of George Floyd  Statement from First Ring Superintendents Statement from the Cleveland Teachers Union Executive Board on the murder of George Floyd

Race and Racism

• Cleveland Public Library:  Discussing Race
• Anti-Defamation League: lessons, table talks, and books:
• Table Talk: George Flyod, Racism, and Law Enforcement
• Middle School Level lessons
• Books: filter by topic
• Tolerance.org Lessons for Middle Schoolers
• Talking to Kids about Racism and Justice – Oakland Library
• 100 Race Conscious Things You Can Say to Your Child – Conversation Starters
• How to talk to white students about race
  • Safe Space Tips
  • How White Parents Can Talk About Race
• Anti-Racism Resources - Books for Parents
• New York Times Anti-Racist Reading List
• Anti-Racism for Kids 101: Starting to Talk About Race - books for courageous conversations
• Beyond the Hashtag: How to Take Anti-Racist Action in Your Life from TeenVogue
• Having 'The Talk': Expert Guidance on Preparing Kids for Police Interactions - A child psychiatrist, a former public defender and a police officer give advice on how and when to have "the talk." While the risk of a police interaction going wrong is higher for black children, it's information that all kids could benefit from knowing.
• Teaching about Race, Racism, and Police Violence - Resources from Teaching Tolerance to help spur discussions around implicit bias and systemic racism, and also empower your students to enact the changes that will create a more just society
• Teaching about Racism, Violence, Inequality and the Criminal Justice System - An ADL collection of resources on Bias, Race and Injustice
• Talking to White Kids About Race & Racism - Silence perpetuates racism, but it can be hard to know how to start. This hour-long program is about talking to white kids of all ages about race and racism
• Your Kids Aren't Too Young to Talk About Race: Resource Roundup - podcasts, booklists, and toys to talk to young children about race

Equity and Social Emotional Resources

• Resilience Coping Intervention - a group discussion about what youth have experienced.
• Skills for Psychological Recovery - an educational skills building intervention
• Addressing Race and Trauma in the Classroom: A Resource for Educators - addressing the interplay of race and trauma and its effects on students
• Psychological First Aid - Daily strategies to ensure children are heard and feel protected during these uncertain times.
• Helping Youth after Community Trauma: Tips for Educators - natural disasters, school violence, and can affect students’ learning, behavior, and relationships.
• Community Violence: Reactions and Actions in Dangerous Times - help youth keep themselves safe and make positive choices in dangerous times.
• Secondary Traumatic Stress Fact Sheet for Organizations Employing Community Violence Workers - prevent or reduce secondary trauma stress among community violence workers

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:

Chalkboard: Moments like now are why we teach:  Educators tackle tough conversations about race and violence --this time virtually 

Washington Post:   Why I'm not talking to my black sons about the unrest in the aftermath of George Floyd's killing