If you're the praying or positive thoughts type -- think about "my" kids

[Mickey'snewestfan]

Not MY kid, he's fine! I'm an inner city public school special ed teacher on the East Coast. We've been out of school since midday last Friday due to snow, and just heard that there's no school tomorrow, Friday's a professional day and Monday is a holiday, so at a bare minimum that's 10 days of no school.

Some of my kids live in families that are barely holding on, the stress of being trapped in a tiny apartment, the stress of worrying about making the food last when there's no school breakfast and school lunch, puts kids at real risk. The last time we were out this long, one of my students ended up in the psych hospital due to his reaction to that stress. He was 6.

So, if you're the praying or positive thought type, please put in a plea for "my" kids like them up and down the East Coast.

Thanks!

 

[Tiggeroo]

Will do. I work in an upper class school that has a small group of very at risk kids. I spend a good deal of time working with them. I can see this being a problem. This has become a six day weekend.

 

[HsvTeacher]

I will definitely say a prayer for all the kids! When I worked in an inner-city school, I always worried about my students during long breaks. For some of them, school was their safe place and the only place they could get two meals a day. Sad, but true.

 

[momx2]

Prayers being said.

 

[EeyoreEma]

I'll say some prayers. I'm sure that is rough.

 

[Mickey'snewestfan]

I will definitely say a prayer for all the kids! When I worked in an inner-city school, I always worried about my students during long breaks. For some of them, school was their safe place and the only place they could get two meals a day. Sad, but true.

And the thing is, this is much worse. Parents can't relieve the stress by sending kids outside to play. They can't supplement food by visiting a soup kitchen because the sidewalks aren't plowed. During breaks many of our most "stressed" families farm kids out to extended families, giving the kids a chance to be loved on by grandma or god-mother, and mom a little break. But that involves being able to get there. Also, many of our families, even if mom's not working, use subsidized daycare for the littles, which provides some structure and routine to the day even during school breaks, but that's closed too.

 

[shelly3girls]

DD's class usually packs meals for kids like these whenever there is a school break. Unfortunately with a break like this no preparations could be made. I cannot imagine how these poor children are suffering.

 

[KirstenB]

Will do. Our younger dd has autism, and my kids are on day 9 in a row for snow days. She's had a hard time with no school, but we are very blessed in so many other ways. I do think about her classmates, whose families struggle financially, etc. I'll pray for your students.

 

[TheDisneyGirl02]

My twin is a special ed teacher at an inner-city school also. There are many times that she worries if her kids will get a least one meal, because at school, they can have breakfast and lunch. Granted, this round of snow didn't 'close' her school because the kid's had off for conferences, but I know she still worries.

 

[sms]

Sending prayers your way