Supporting Students Through Uncertainty
Our district recognizes that the upcoming referendum and potential future changes may create uncertainty for students, families, and staff.
This page provides guidance for talking with children in a supportive, age-appropriate way and connects families to available mental health resources.
Important: Some decisions are still being discussed. The district will continue to share updates as more information becomes available.
💡 Our Commitment
We remain focused on student safety, stability, and support—regardless of future outcomes.
Adults can help most by:
- Sharing accurate, simple information
- Avoiding speculation or rumors
- Maintaining routines
- Validating student feelings
- Reassuring children that adults are here to support them
🧒 Talking With Children About Uncertainty
Early Childhood / Elementary Students
✔ What Helps
- Keep explanations simple and brief
- Focus on what is known right now
- Emphasize safety and routine
💬 Try Saying
- “Adults are working on some decisions about the school.”
- “Right now, your job is to keep learning and being a kid.”
- “There will always be adults here to help take care of you.”
⚠ Watch For
- Clinginess or increased dependence
- Sleep changes or physical complaints
- Regression in behavior
Middle School Students
✔ What Helps
- Provide honest, limited details
- Correct misinformation calmly
- Normalize mixed emotions
💬 Try Saying
- “Some decisions are still being worked out.”
- “It’s okay to feel unsure or have questions.”
- “We will share more when we know more.”
⚠ Watch For
- Withdrawal or irritability
- Peer-driven misinformation
- Changes in motivation
High School Students
✔ What Helps
- Be direct and transparent
- Acknowledge real concerns (graduation, future plans)
- Emphasize support and planning
💬 Try Saying
- “There are possible changes, but decisions are not final.”
- “We will help you plan the next steps.”
- “You don’t have to figure this out alone.”
⚠ Watch For
- Anxiety about the future
- Frustration or disengagement
- Attendance or academic concerns
🚫 What Adults Should Avoid
Avoid increasing anxiety unintentionally:
- Speculating about worst-case scenarios
- Sharing rumors or unconfirmed information
- Discussing adult stress in front of children
- Minimizing student concerns
When unsure, it is okay to say:
“I don’t know yet.”
“That is still being decided.”
“We will share updates when we know more.”
🧠 Signs a Student May Need Additional Support
Consider reaching out for support if you notice:
- Ongoing anxiety, sadness, or irritability
- Changes in sleep or appetite
- Drop in school performance
- Withdrawal from others
- Frequent physical complaints
- Expressions of hopelessness
🎯 Support for Students With IEPs
Important Assurance for Families:
Students with disabilities will continue to receive services aligned with their Individualized Education Programs (IEPs).
- Services and supports remain protected under state and federal law
- Planning will ensure continuity of services
- Updates will be shared as decisions are made
Questions? Contact the district directly for individualized support.
👨👩👧 Guidance for Families
Help Handling Change
✔ What You Can Do
- Check in regularly with your child
- Ask what they’ve heard
- Provide simple, honest answers
- Maintain routines
- Limit exposure to stressful adult conversations
💬 Helpful Questions
- What have you heard about this?”
- “How are you feeling?”
- “What questions do you have?
🏫 Guidance for Staff
Help Handling Change
Response Framework:
- Acknowledge: “I can tell this is on your mind.”
- Clarify: “What we know right now is…”
- Avoid speculation: “Some details are still being decided.”
- Support: “We will make sure you are supported.”
➡ Refer complex questions to administration
➡ Connect distressed students to support staff
