Lunch & Learn: Moving Through Grief in Community

Grief and loss show up in schools every day — through death, family separation, community violence, displacement, illness, friendship changes, and other life transitions that deeply impact students’ emotional well-being and ability to learn. Adults in schools are often on the front lines of supporting students through these experiences, yet many feel underprepared for how to respond. This workshop explores how grief affects children and adolescents emotionally, behaviorally, socially, and academically, while offering practical, trauma-informed strategies for supporting grieving students in school settings. Participants will learn how to create safe and compassionate spaces where students feel seen, supported, and connected rather than isolated in their grief.

Learning Objectives:

1. Identify different types of grief/loss, and common emotional, behavioral, cognitive, and academic responses in children and adolescents.

2. Demonstrate increased understanding of trauma-informed and developmentally appropriate strategies for responding to students experiencing grief and loss.

3. Explore and apply approaches for fostering safe, supportive, and inclusive school environments that promote healing through connection and community.

4. Develop practical strategies for supporting students while also experiencing grief and loss ourselves as adults.