Understanding Trauma’s Impact on Learning
“The principal of a small elementary school in central Massachusetts was approached by his staff with a request. They asked …
Massachusetts
New Article: Understanding Trauma’s Impact on Learning
We write this month to share a newly published article with you. The February, 2109 edition of School Administrator, the American Association of School Administrators’ award-winning monthly magazine, features an article written by TLPI’s Director, Susan Cole.
School Building Leadership’s Role in Creating a Trauma-Sensitive School
In this month’s post, we turn our attention to the vital role of school building leadership — principals or headmasters — in creating a trauma-sensitive school.
District Leadership’s Role in Supporting and Creating Trauma Sensitive Schools
This month we share a new TLPI video featuring Dr. Sal Terrasi, Ph.D., former Executive Director for Pupil Personnel Services in the Brockton Public School System and Director of the Lesley Institute for Trauma-Sensitivity, sharing key ways school district administrators can work to create the infrastructure and culture to promote trauma-sensitive safe and supportive schools. In this video, Dr. Terrasi shares his thoughts on the School District’s role in supporting the creation of trauma-sensitive schools in four distinct ways: advocacy, communication, training/professional development and community connections.
TLPI Video: Impact of Trauma on Learning Part 3: Relationships
In this post, we are excited to share the third in our three part series of short videos on the impacts of trauma on learning, classroom behavior, and relationships. One of the most important roles schools can play in the lives of students is helping them to have good relationships with peers and adults. Research indicates that positive student-teacher relationships can help increase academic engagement and performance. But for students impacted by traumatic experiences, forming and maintaining relationships with their peers and with the adults around them can be challenging. To learn more, please view the video below.
Safe and Supportive Schools Grant Opportunity through MA DESE
MA DESE announces that the Fiscal Year 2019 (FY19) Safe and Supportive Schools Grant Program (Fund Code 335), funded through the Safe and Supportive Schools line item (7061-9612), is now accepting proposals for the 2018-19 school year. For more information, please see the FY19 fund code 335 RFP Page http://www.doe.mass.edu/grants/2019/335/
Great News! Conference Committee increases funding for the Safe and Supportive Schools line item
Great news! The Conference Committee voted to increase the FY 19 Safe and Supportive Schools line item (7061-9612) to $700,000, an increase of $200,000 over the FY18 budget.
End of School Year Reflection
For many of us, the end of the school year is near. This time of year offers an opportunity for reflection as well as celebrating successes, taking stock of accomplishments, and thinking ahead to what might need to be considered for next year. Many schools have been guided by the use of the trauma-sensitive vision questions help make sure that the chosen actions move the school closer to becoming trauma-sensitive. In this blog post we share a few ideas and questions to help in reflecting on the year and preparing for continuing the work to become a trauma-sensitive/safe and supportive into next school year.
New Webinar on Creating Safe and Supportive Learning Communities
In previous blog posts, we shared information, tools and resources for use in creating trauma-sensitive schools. This month, we are excited to share with you an additional tool for getting started on the journey to trauma-sensitivity in your school. TLPI Training Director, Joel Ristuccia, Ed.M., recently had the opportunity to present a webinar on creating safe and supportive learning environments for all students for the MA Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s Safe and Supportive Schools grantees.
Budget amendment for the Safe and Supportive Schools line item adopted by the MA Senate
Senator Sal DiDomenico’s budget amendment (# 171) for the Safe and Supportive Schools line item (7061-9612) was adopted by the MA Senate. The amendment increased the amount of funding for the Safe and Supportive Schools line item to $600,000, the same amount included in the House budget this year. This will allow more schools and districts to receive grants to create and implement Safe and Supportive Schools Action Plans. The amendment also incorporated important language changes that were included by the House and that would implement recommendations made by the Safe and Supportive Schools Commission, such as providing leadership summits to help support superintendents and principals to create safe and supportive schools.