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Community Message Regarding Recent National Events
Dear AUSD Community,
If you are like me, this moment in time may be bringing up a wide range of emotions, including shock, fear, sadness, anger, empathy, and a sense of helplessness. Many of us are carrying more than usual right now.
As adults, it is important to remember that our children are always watching us. Even when they do not fully understand what is happening in the world, they feel our emotions deeply. How we respond, what we say, what we model, and how we care for ourselves and one another matters.
Some of the feelings we are experiencing may be connected to recent national events that have drawn widespread attention and deep concern. Federal immigration enforcement actions in Minnesota have resulted in the loss of human life, which many people, including myself, find shocking and profoundly troubling. The fact that more and more people are being harmed is never acceptable and weighs heavily on many in our community. Events like these raise serious questions about safety, justice, and belonging, particularly for families who may already feel vulnerable or uncertain. Children and young people may hear about these events through the media, social media, or conversations with peers, and they often look to the adults around them for cues about how to make sense of what they are hearing and for reassurance that they are safe.
For that reason, it feels more important than ever that we remain connected and caring as a community. Our schools and our district are not just places of learning; they are places of belonging. In times like these, children benefit from reassurance that they are safe, that the adults around them are steady, and that fear or disagreement never justifies harm or violence.
Many families have asked how to talk with children about difficult or distressing events. There is no single right approach. What research consistently shows is that children benefit when adults lead with calm, listen closely, and focus on shared values such as kindness, respect, fairness, and care for others. Limiting repeated exposure to news and social media, answering questions honestly but simply, and reassuring children that they are safe can make a meaningful difference.
It is also important to remember that adults need care too. National and global events can affect our mental health. Feelings of anxiety, anger, grief, or exhaustion are normal responses. Taking breaks from news and social media, connecting with trusted people, spending time outdoors, and engaging in routines that help restore balance are necessities, especially when caring for children.
If you or your family need support, please do not hesitate to reach out to your school principal, counselor, or to me directly. In Albany Unified, we are committed to being a district rooted in community and rising in possibility, and that commitment means showing up for one another with care, responsiveness, and shared responsibility, especially in moments of uncertainty.
Resources for Families
The following supports are available to Albany Unified families:
Helping Children Cope After a Traumatic Event
Safe Haven Resources
Crisis & Emotional Support
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Free, confidential support for anyone experiencing emotional distress; call or text 988 any time.
Crisis Support Services of Alameda County (CSS): 24/7 local crisis support and referral to mobile crisis teams; call 988 or local crisis line 1-800-309-2131.
California Youth Crisis Line (for youth and families): 800-843-5200; ongoing support and counseling.
Teen Line (peer support for teens): 800-852-8336 or text TEEN to 839863 in the evenings.
Parenting and Family Support
Parent Stress Line (24/7): 1-800-632-8188 (for emotional support and referrals).
Parenting Stress Helpline: 1-800-829-3777 (family support, tips, and connection to services).
Family Paths: Offers parenting support, mental health services, group support, education, and a 24/7 helpline (1-800-829-3777).
Building Hope (Alameda County Behavioral Health): Child-parent psychotherapy and family support services focused on social-emotional needs for young children.
Mobile Crisis Response
Berkeley/Albany Mobile Crisis Team: Provides in-person crisis support; call (510) 981-5900.
Other Supporting Community Resources
Alameda County Office of Education Mental Health Resources: Includes links to crisis hotlines, bullying support, and youth lines (988, 800-273-8255, etc.).
Alameda County Library branches (including Albany branch) offer community programs and quiet study spaces for children and families, as well as homework help and children’s programming.
Thank you for being part of the Albany Unified community and for the many ways you support our students and one another every day.
With care,
Sara Stone
Superintendent
Albany Unified School District