Emergencies and Disasters

Soon after I arrived at Milton Academy, our nation experienced the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. I remember entering the school snack bar and staring at the visuals of enflamed twin towers.

A school counselor swept me into his office, where I wept recalling the destruction taking place in the city I called home.

The counselor happened to be a director of the “Transition Program”, a specialized summer immersion for students of color transitioning to the independent school.

Because we had established a relationship during the Transition Program, we both felt safe weeping, expressing concerns, and troubleshooting ways to contact my parents.

Both independent school administrators and parents can support children of color during emergencies and disasters by:

• ensuring their own communication pathways with leaders of color who have relationships with students of color.

• planning, sharing, and testing emergency protocols.

• activating safe spaces for routine mental wellness checks.