Navigating Difficult Conversations: Resources for Students and Families, Educators, and School Staff
School communities should be pillars of inclusivity, peace, and stability for students. In Rhode Island, it is our responsibility to ensure that students and families know that school staff members care about their well-being and are committed to providing a safe and inclusive learning environment free of hate. No child should feel targeted by racism, sexism, anti-Semitism, Islamophobia, anti-LBGT prejudice, anti-Asian hate, or any other form of identity-based bigotry within our schools.
The Rhode Island Department of Education has put together the following list of resources for students and families, as well as school and district staff as they navigate how best to support students around difficult conversations and to help promote a safe and resilient school environment for all students.
These resources are neither meant to be exhaustive nor is their inclusion an endorsement of a particular viewpoint. This page will be expanded and updated as more resources become available.
General Resources
These resources are meant to help school staff and districts in developing and maintaining safe, supportive, and healthy learning environments for all students regardless of their identity or background.
Combating Anti-Semitism
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The Anti-Defamation League: Resources to Address and Challenge Anti-Semitism
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Antisemitism Tracker: Please report local incidents here. If the incident is an emergency, please call 9-1-1 before reporting it on the tracker.
Combating Islamophobia, and anti-Arab Hate
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The American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee Report an Incident: Please report local incidents here. If the incident is an emergency, please call 9-1-1 before reporting it on the tracker.
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Harvard Graduate School of Education: Dismantling Islamophobia
Combating Racism
Combating anti-LGBT Hate
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US Department of Education OCR LGBT Resources Please report local incidents here. If the incident is an emergency, please call 9-1-1 before reporting it on the tracker.
Combating Sexism/Gender-Based Hatred
Combating anti-Asian Hate
Resources for Educators
Far from being insulated from it, the classroom is a microcosm of our world. Educators are often tasked with guiding and supporting students through prominent global events and affairs. The tension that many conflicts bring can affect the climate of school communities and seep into conversations in our classrooms. Below are selected resources which can help educators guide students through sample lesson plans and curriculum materials, with grade band suggestions to ensure students are taught in a developmentally and age-appropriate manner.
Civil Discourse Resources:
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Educators4SC: Teaching with Civil Discourse Lesson Plans all ages
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Teaching for Justice: Civil Discourse in the Classroom Lesson Plans all ages
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Education Week: How Teachers Can Talk About Hard Things With Students
Mental Health and SEL Resources for Students:
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National Association of School Psychologists: Talking to Children About Violence: Tips for Families and Educators available in English, Spanish, Portuguese and other languages
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Resilience in a time of war: Tips for parents and teachers of teens Grades 9-12
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Coping with War-Related Stress: Information for Military Families and Communities: A guide to discussing war related stress that may be helpful for teachers when interacting with students from military families.
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CASEL Guide to Schoolwide SEL: Social Emotional Learning (SEL) is the process of acquiring knowledge skills and attitudes to develop healthy identities, manage emotions, and feel and show empathy for others.
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Mental Health Technology Transfer Resource Center includes multiple resources for coping with war and mass violence. The resource center includes information on helping students cope with school tragedies and community violence.
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RI Center for Community and Justice host a variety of programs for youth, schools, and the community.
Resources for Families and Caregivers
Far from being insulated from it, the classroom is a microcosm of our world. Educators are often tasked with guiding and supporting students through prominent global events and affairs. The tension that many conflicts bring can affect the climate of school communities and seep into conversations in our classrooms. Below are selected resources which can help educators guide students through sample lesson plans and curriculum materials, with grade band suggestions to ensure students are taught in a developmentally and age-appropriate manner.
Conversation Starters:
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The National Child Traumatic Stress Network: Talking to Children about War
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American Academy of Pediatrics: Helping Children Cope and Adjust After a Disaster
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UNICEF: How to talk to your children about conflict and war Available in both English and Arabic
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Common Sense Media: How do I talk to my kids about violence in the news?
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National Child Traumatic Stress Network: Tips for Parents on Media Coverage of a Stabbing