Helping Kids Process Election Feelings

Dear MRH Families,

With the election approaching, it is crucial that we engage in meaningful discussions with our students. As a parent of a 7th grader, I had not considered the need to create space for Kaiden to process his thoughts about the election until he shared a conversation he had with peers at school. This experience prompted me to reach out to our community and share ways to support our students before and after the election. These conversations can help them manage their emotions, particularly when they encounter differing viewpoints. Acknowledging their feelings is key to guiding them through these challenging moments.

Here are a few approaches to help facilitate these important conversations:

Process Your Own Emotions: Reflect on your own feelings about the election before talking with your child. This helps you approach the conversation calmly.

Create a Safe Space: Encourage your child to share their feelings without judgment, letting them know it’s okay to have questions or uncertainties.

Communicate with School: If election-related concerns arise at school, please reach out to your child’s counselor or building administrator. We are here to support your child through any challenges.

As we navigate this election season, it is important that we remind students that while we can not control the election outcome, we can control our civic engagement. Linked, you’ll find resources to help guide these conversations and prepare our students for their roles as thoughtful, engaged citizens in our Maplewood Richmond Heights community.

In partnership,

Dr. Bonita Jamison, Superintendent

Maplewood Richmond Heights School District

Superintendent Introduces Strategic Plan

Dear Maplewood Richmond Heights Community,

It is my honor to share our 2023-2028 Strategic Plan, detailing our actionable plan for success for every student, regardless of background, in the Maplewood Richmond Heights School District. This plan is a roadmap to ensure students receive the personalization necessary to nurture their broad range of talents and abilities through a high-quality teaching and learning staff who has been equipped to facilitate a rigorous and bold curriculum.

As your Superintendent, I recognize that our success depends on the collaboration and support of our entire community. This plan is a reflection of the dedication, energy, and insight of students, staff, parents, board and community members. This plan represents the vision and mission of our district to inspire and prepare students as leaders, scholars, stewards, and citizens for a diverse and changing world. Students are at the heart of everything we do. These uniquely gifted and talented students who represent every area of the Maplewood Richmond Heights community, are depending on us to work together as a “Community of Care” to design experiences internally and externally to prepare them to thrive in a constantly evolving world.

Thank you for your support and engagement as we launch this audacious Strategic Plan, confident in our community and families, proud of our schools’ commitment to equity and social justice and excited about our students’ achievement over the next five years and beyond.

With Blue Devil Pride,

Dr. Bonita E. Jamison, Superintendent

Maplewood Richmond Heights School District