Page 19 - The EDGE Summer 2024

put on a great front and may carry themselves as having a bad day, or something as serious as
well, but if you pay close enough attention, you trouble at home, bullying, or a mental health
may notice when something is happening behind issue, but until someone points it out, it will go
the scenes. Students need adults nearby who are unaddressed. Speaking up creates space for school
trained and able to spot when something is off and administrators to care for students in the way they
speak up for when they may not have the courage need it most.
to speak up for themselves."
Creating Awareness, Encouraging Unity
For teachers, classrooms are often in hallways Creating an open environment starts with
where the same groups of students gather each being intentional about openness, respect and
day. Vendors may service the same spaces acceptance.
consistently and be around the same groups of
students regularly. In these environments, make Nikki Crider, Regional Sales Director, SSC
mental notes. Services for Education, said: “Social media is
• Does the usually loud, outgoing student seem one of the most, if not the largest, sources of
distant? information our children have in their lives.
• Is the quiet kid acting a bit off? It doesn't paint a picture of reality – it paints a
• Is the child who typically finds themself picture of a shiny apple. Often, what we need
surrounded by friends isolating themself? most when we are having a hard day or walking
through a painful season is to know that everyone
Approach administration with concerns. The else's lives aren't perfect, either. As an adult,
underlying cause may be something as simple when my child was hospitalized and dealing with
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