Budget Cuts Scaring our Kids

Throughout our state, teachers, administrators, classified personnel and students are starting to fathom the reality of the “pink slip” and what it mean. In other words, most everyone is scared. We adults understand that the pink slip frenzy is supposedly necessary to seamlessly make staff and program changes that may or may not be needed for next year. The students, on the other hand, are sure they are losing their “favorite teacher” or the sports or theatre program they have connected to with their whole heart. Their emotions are raw with fear and anger; they need help dealing with the unstable academic climate that surrounds them.

How can we help them? We can reassure them that there have been no final decisions yet and if there are changes they find devastating, we will walk through them together. They need to know that our district administrators are making decisions based on how to best benefit the students. This may not “seem” to register, but it can’t hurt. The challenge is to defuse the negativity the children and teens are hearing and feeling as they listen to news stories, overhear or hear directly about their teacher concerns or get caught up in the student rumor-mill. Whenever the subject arises, and it will often, try to empathize with them without reinforcing their fear. Like most serious subjects we talk to our children about, it is best to follow their lead as to how much detail to go into. Sometimes I find myself over-explaining because I have overestimated their concern. Given a child’s worry I might say, “Yes, Mrs. X may not be at school next year and that is sad, but no one knows if that is true so let’s just appreciate her while she is here and keep good thoughts for her in mind.” These are words that are appropriate to my family; most families have their own ways of reassuring and talking through fears. The important thing is that the talk happens and not just once. Every rumor will need to be addressed, some more seriously than others. Be sure to stay informed, write your legislators and vote.

This blog doesn’t allow reader comments, but I would appreciate hearing what other readers are thinking about the subject. Email or call with your thoughts and I can pass them along as an entry.