Have you seen the “Handle with Care” posts throughout social media? If not, two teachers from Missouri have gone viral with the notes they sent home to families.  ("Handle with Care") It’s an opportunity for parents (or caregivers) to share with their child’s teacher that the child may have experienced a hard night, weekend, or even morning.  The teachers don’t ask for details, just a simple message from the parents to “handle with care.”

What are your thoughts on this idea?

The note states that nothing will be said or asked but it will allow the teacher to know their child may need extra time, patience, or help during the day.  Ideally, I think this is a very important and comforting idea and tool to use for families.  This helps the families feel connected and supported by the teacher.  Notes such as this also speak to the type of teacher your child has this year.  A teacher who takes the time to send home such a note understands the importance of a positive relationship with not only the student but their families.  

We can’t assume we know what each one of our students encounters on a daily basis.  For example, we know through statistics and observation that some students may not have access to food at home.  There are students who rely heavily on school being their main source of meals and as a result, many schools have implemented a system to provide food for these students.  These programs fill up a backpack of food to send home each weekend to ensure the children are eating.  (Blessing in a backpack) 

So how do we create a program to help students learn to effectively handle their emotions or feelings when ordinary or extraordinary events occur?  These teachers are proactively recognizing hard days but the next step is teaching these students coping skills and how to regulate emotions.   

As a classroom teacher here are some strategies that can be implemented to help. One way to do this is to have a morning check-in system set up in your classroom.  These could be as simple as:

• Greeting each child before they enter your room

• Starting each day with a morning meeting. (Power of the morning meeting)

• Creating an opportunity for students to journal

• Partnering with school counselors to help support your higher needs students

• Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)

The more proactive support we embed into our daily routine the stronger the student outcomes will be.  

#standreadytosupport