MASCA
Counselor’s Notebook MASSACHUSETTS SCHOOL COUNSELORS ASSOCIATION
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Statewide Call for Candidates
f you have a desire to be more involved in MASCA, we definitely have a place for you to serve. Our MASCA volunteers are crucial to our organization and are the driving forces behind many of our important initiatives. We can use your help on a variety of committees or in a more formal leadership role.
The VP Elementary position is still open for this year. Elected positions opening up for the 2016/2017 school year include: • President-Elect • VP Middle/Junior High • VP Administrators • VP Counselor Educators • VP Retirees • Coordinator of Professional Development. Descriptions and additional information about each of the positions can be found in the MASCA Bylaws as well as in the General Policies and Procedures Manual, both of which can be found on MASCA’s website: www.masca.org. Candidates need to collect a minimum of 10 signatures from MASCA members and submit nomination forms and a resume before February 1. If you are interested in taking on a formal leadership role or in helping serve at the committee level, or if you have any questions, please reach out to any MASCA leader or contact Ruth Carrigan at president@masca.org.
Vol. 52, No. 4
December 2015
Helping Students Cope with Grief
By DONNA M. BROWN, MASCA Executive Director
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athleen McAleer, MSW, LICSW, Bereavement Coordinator of the Cranberry Hospice & Palliative Care presented at Hope Floats, “a non-profit bereavement and educational center for people who are grieving, facing life challenges and seeking to improve their physical and emotional well-being.” McAleer’s primary focus was how to handle the holidays when you are grieving. While much of her presentation dealt with adults, she also offered strategies that would work with teens and children. Although she was talking specifically about dealing with grief at the holidays, she made it clear that her suggestions could be used at any time. A study done in 2012 by the American Federation of Teachers, the New York Life Foundation, Tiller, Inc., and Hart Research Associates found that 70% of teachers reported having at least one grieving child in their classrooms. Most teachers seemed to understand that they could play an important role in helping a child grieve, but many also felt illequipped to do so. As a result, many try to “normalize” the situation by trying to get the student caught up in class. To that end, homework, tests,
and other assignments are piled on a student who may well be suffering from anxiety, panic attacks, and lack of sleep. Often, it is the role of the school counselor to intervene and work with teachers and administration to develop a flexible plan to help the student. McAleer shared many resources. One from the National Alliance for Grieving Children is “10 Things Grieving Children Want You to Know," including: “Grieving children want to be reassured that there will always be someone to take care of them” and “Every child grieves differently.” Many children become anxious that someone else in their life is going to die and they will be left alone. It is important to reassure them that there will always be someone to care for them. This might mean making a plan for the child and sharing it. Some children deal with their grief through play while others might keep it all in. Each is different. According to most experts, one of the best thing caring adults can do when helping a child deal with loss is listen, really listen. Answer questions as honestly as possible and validate how the child is feeling. Often, there will be “grief bursts” (continued on page 6)
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