It’s not easy dealing with a child’s trauma — and some teachers are trying to help parents deal with such a situation.
“One of the big things we are noticing at our schools is there are some kids coming and dealing with trauma which is affecting their mental health, relationships and obviously their schooling,” said Samantha Leriger, a teacher at Okotoks Junior High School. “It’s an issue we see with kids and we want to get information out to the community.”
Foothills Local ATA will present the documentary Paper Tigers, concerning a school in Walla Walla, Wash., which has introduced programs concerning trauma.
“They help kids who have dealt with trauma whether that’s a divorce among parents, abuse in the home, drug and alcohol addiction, death and dealing with that grief — lots of different ways in which trauma can manifest, helping those kids deal with how to be successful in school while dealing with those other things,” said Leriger, the chair of the Diversity, Equity and Human Rights committee for the local Foothills chapter.
The documentary starts at 6 p.m. at the Rotary Performing Arts Centre in Okotoks.
After the documentary, there is a panel discussion with Ryley Hatchard, the Foothills School Division counsellor co-ordinator and others.
“She works with some of our most at-risk students in our division,” Leriger said. “Also on the panel is Jamie Pope, who is a registered psychologist who works with Hull Services.”
Leriger said Hull Services does ‘brain mapping’ for children who have experienced trauma.
“They look at the brain to see how trauma has affected the brain’s activity,” Leriger said. “They offer care and support based on that.”
Also on the panel is Colin Bath, with the WiseGuyz program in Calgary.
“It basically teaches young adolescent men social skills and resilience — a practical application on trauma,” Leriger said of WiseGuyz.
There will also be discussion on how parents can access programs for their children and the family.
It’s an effort to help children enjoy growing up.
“The trauma we are talking about are those big, emotional life-altering events that affect kids and their ability to learn and to be kids who are carefree and enjoy school like most of population can,” Leriger said.
Leriger said Paper Tigers is intense, and she graded it PG 13.
The event is free and those from all school divisions are welcome to attend.
Helping students deal with trauma has been a focus during professional development at Foothills School Division.
