Schools try to assuage students’ fears about war

Christine Carrillo

With war coverage bombarding Americans from nearly every angle,

school officials have taken a united stance to protect young students

from the constant barrage.

By trying to address students’ concerns about the war in Iraq,

schools in the Newport-Mesa Unified School District have tried to

find the best ways to assuage youthful fears.

“Our response is we’re not going to teach it; we’re going to

respond to it,” said Charlene Metoyer, principal at Eastbluff

Elementary School in Newport Beach. “We’re going to respond to

students with facts. ... We’re not teaching; we’re reassuring. Our

big responsibility is that the parents and the kids know that coming

to school is safe.”

Although principals at elementary schools have not directed

teachers to give lessons on the war, middle school teachers have been

able to teach a historical perspective on the war through their

social studies classes.

Overall, teachers are addressing student concerns about wartime

events by explaining the facts in a manner appropriate to the

students’ age, and by encouraging them to share their concerns with

their parents.

“In talking to our younger children, we’re using a globe and

showing where Iraq is,” said Barbara Rothman-Haddock, principal at

Lincoln Elementary School in Newport Beach. “It helps put things into

perspective, and for them to see where Iraq is, it’s somewhat calming

to know how far away it is.”

In taking a step back from war coverage to protect students from

it, school officials have found it has helped them handle their own

concerns.

“We have 5-year-olds and 6-year-olds, and they get scared,”

Metoyer said. “The biggest thing they need to feel here is to feel

safe. It’s tough for all of us, and I’m actually grateful that we

have the kids here because they make me feel safe, too.”

Most school officials agree -- the job of a school is “to help the

kids feel safe and secure and support them if they do feel they have

some anxiety in this situation,” said Jeff Gall, principal at

TeWinkle Middle School in Costa Mesa. “I think we’re all kind of

feeling the same thing and I think it’s important to let them know

that.”

* CHRISTINE CARRILLO covers education and may be reached at (949)

574-4268 or by e-mail at christine.carrillo@latimes.com.