Westport Public Schools Helps Parents Talk About Racism With Kids

WESTPORT, CT — Westport Public Schools is reaching out to families in the wake of the George Floyd killing in Minneapolis to offer suggestions and resources in ways of addressing with children the struggle against racism.

In an email to parents on Wednesday, Valerie Babich, the district's coordinator of Psychological Services, urged parents to remember their child's developmental levels when discussing current events.

"We encourage you to be honest with your children, while offering the amount of factual information that makes sense for their age and maturity level," Babich wrote. "In addition, it is likely that your children, like adults, will have a range of emotions during these discussions. Helpful parenting practices such as listening, validating, and reassuring your children, can provide the support they need during these emotionally stressful times."

Floyd was a 46-year-old black man who died during an arrest last week in Minneapolis, Minnesota. During the incident, a white police officer, Derek Chauvin, positioned his knee on Floyd's throat and held it there for nearly nine minutes; Floyd, who was unarmed and handcuffed, could be heard on video saying that he couldn't breathe, and people at the scene could be heard begging the officer to get off of him.

Three other Minneapolis police officers were with Chauvin during the arrest, and all four have been charged in connection with the death as of Wednesday. Chauvin has been charged with second-degree murder and manslaughter, and the other three — Tou Thao, J. Alexander Kueng and Thomas Lane — have been charged with aiding and abetting second-degree murder and manslaughter.

A peaceful protest in support of justice for Floyd was held in Westport this week, and the police department and First Selectman Jim Marpe have issued statements denouncing racism.

Additionally, Interim Schools Superintendent David Abbey and Board of Education Chair Candice Savin also offered their support of justice for Floyd.

Read Babich's message below:

June 3, 2020

Dear Families,

These are heartbreaking and unsettling times in our country. As parents, we often struggle to find ways to talk to our children about major events in the news. The tragic death of George Floyd and the subsequent impact across the country certainly highlights this struggle for all of us who care for children. As you think about how to talk to your children about racism and recent events, please keep in mind their developmental levels. We encourage you to be honest with your children, while offering the amount of factual information that makes sense for their age and maturity level. In addition, it is likely that your children, like adults, will have a range of emotions during these discussions. Helpful parenting practices such as listening, validating, and reassuring your children, can provide the support they need during these emotionally stressful times. If you feel your child needs more support, please reach out to one of our school psychologists, social workers or school counselors. Below you will find a list of resources to guide you in your conversations with your children. For some children and teens, using books and movies can be an effective way to engage in these discussions. As parents and educators, we all have a great deal of work to do to help create an antiracist community, and it begins with these important, and often difficult, conversations. I hope that you and your family continue to stay safe.

Valerie Babich
Coordinator of Psychological Services

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