How to create a safe space

[DEgalRN]

I'm going to try and make this not political.

I've heard an uptick in rhetoric today regarding some not nice things related to certain groups of students (It's a shame how quickly and fast those conversations are spreading). I often don't have time to create an entire discussion with those students (saying the things) other than to point out it's not appropriate. But, I do want to show that my office is a safe space and I'm available for students who may feel marginalized or threatened or unsafe (obviously that gets escalated, but I want them to have a place to go initially).

Other than peppering my office in safe space posters, does anyone else have any ideas to present that offer without having to verbally tell every student?

Thank you.

[kummerspeck]

My son is a Muslim, black, immigrant, so he has a trifecta of ways in which people at his school have used to bully him, especially since the campaigns started. He has been told multiple times that he doesn't belong here. Today was very scary for him, and for many others like him in his school. There were several things said to students in our district that are unacceptable.

The best thing his teachers can do for him is just to remind him that he is cared for, and a part of that school. Just talking to them, letting them know they matter, and that anything said to the contrary is not true and will not be tolerated. As a school nurse, you have an opportunity to check in with these kids when you see them and see how things are going. Just be that safe space for them...that safe person.

[NutmeggeRN, BSN]

My son is a Muslim, black, immigrant, so he has a trifecta of ways in which people at his school have used to bully him, especially since the campaigns started. He has been told multiple times that he doesn't belong here. Today was very scary for him, and for many others like him in his school. There were several things said to students in our district that are unacceptable.

The best thing his teachers can do for him is just to remind him that he is cared for, and a part of that school. Just talking to them, letting them know they matter, and that anything said to the contrary is not true and will not be tolerated. As a school nurse, you have an opportunity to check in with these kids when you see them and see how things are going. Just be that safe space for them...that safe person.

I'm so sorry that your child is subjected to horrible behaviors like that. That is just plain awful.

[kummerspeck]

I'm so sorry that your child is subjected to horrible behaviors like that. That is just plain awful.

It is. I've had a weird feeling all week that I couldn't figure out at first, it's how I feel every time a lose someone I love. And this has shaken the ground beneath our feet. There have been fights in the neighboring district, and a flurry of racial slurs and threats here publicly. Let me reiterate, I am in a blue (but swing) state, and my city is very progressive.

So I have more information now. I emailed our superintendent and the middle school principal where my son goes (I had emailed his teacher the day before). The super's response was very milktoast. But I can only do so much as I work for the district and am hoping to get on full time next year. The principal has been very very very awesome. She spent all day Thursday investigating, listening to students, teachers, counselors. She'd had no idea, because the teachers and counselors had just been handling it. She's being proactive, they're developing some projects for next week to help their students understand that school should be a safe place and that we need to accept our differences and...not be hateful to one another. The zero tolerance policy on bullying is going to be reiterated. I'm happy with the response so far, though I wish it was coming from the top down and not just being put at school level. It is what is needed. While they develop these plans, I really am hopeful that the school nurse there is involved. She should be. She's just as much as safe place for those kids as their counselors.