As teachers struggle to help students manage their stress and put their lives back together after experiencing the current series of hurricanes in Florida, Georgia, and the Carolinas, I stumbled across this very helpful list of helpful suggestions. I have incorporated some of the suggestions here. Remember that this same list of suggestions could be useful no matter what the natural catastrophe that students are facing. Here’s the list, with a link to the source material at the end. Hope this helps!

Establish Open Lines of Communication: After any kind of disaster, communication can be challenging. Establish an open line of communication through email, text, learning management systems, or whatever other means you can devise. Sending a brief message about class schedules or available resources can help reassure students that they’re not alone and bring much-needed stability to their disrupted lives.

Make Deadlines Flexible: Some students will be experiencing power outages, unreliable internet, or even displacement from their homes. Offering flexible deadlines, alternative submission methods, or extending grace periods can go a long way to ease the pressure of trying to keep up with school assignments during a stressful time.

Give Clear Instructions for Make-Up Work: Describe clear steps for ways that students can catch up when their situation has settled down. Clarifying a plan can make the process pf catching up less overwhelming.

Provide Access to Alternate Learning Materials: If possible, provide alternate learning materials that students can access in multiple formates or offline. Students may not be able to access print materials, or may be without power and not able to get online to read their course materials or access assessments.

Create a Supportive Learning Environment: Establish and nurture a sense of community among students by encouraging peer support and group work. Students may appreciate opportunities to connect with others who are facing similar challenges, and working together can help them stay on track. Also consider opening a space for students to share their experiences. Sometimes just being able to talk to others in the same situation can help.

Offer Clear Guidance on Priorities: During periods of recovery, students may not know where to focus their efforts. Consider offering guidance on what is most essential and what can be put off until things settle. Clarity and understanding go a long way in helping students manage their stress levels.

Encourage Access to Mental Health Services: The connections between mental health and student success have been well-documented. Anxiety, depression, or experiencing trauma can significantly impact a student’s ability to focus, retain information, and stay motivated. In the classroom, acknowledge the mental and emotional strain they’re under, and consider incorporating practices to create an environment where they feel heard and supported. Provide information and encouragement students to access the mental health resources available to them in their area, whether from the school or campus counseling services or from community support groups.

Source: Marissa Bluestone, Hurricanes, Homework, and Heart