The St. Paul School district is offering counseling to students “impacted by the surprise election” of Donald Trump. The Pioneer Press reports:
Supervisory counselors were slated to check in with school staff to identify any schools that are “more impacted by the results,” spokeswoman Toya Stewart Downey told the Pioneer Press early Wednesday. If needed, lead counselors and social workers and those in temporary administrative roles would be sent to work in schools.
“If there are schools that seem to be over capacity (in terms of the support they can offer), we will look to deploy support staff from the district who can provide additional support,” Stewart Downey said.
St. Paul public schools was not the only school district preparing to help students deal with the stress of the election. The University of Minnesota Office for Equity and Diversity sent an email to students, offering support and inclusiveness:
Dear Twin Cities campus community,
Like many of you, I am processing the divisiveness that has characterized the prolonged election season, and am working to understand how it will impact our communities, our university, our nation and our world.
While there is no expiration date for the raw emotion many are feeling, we will continue to work diligently toward a campus climate that supports respect and inclusive excellence as we work across our differences. I say “we” because none of this work happens in isolation; it requires time and effort from all of us.
The email goes on to say, “Some members of our community feel vulnerable and marginalized, and are most directly impacted by this contentious election cycle. We are grateful for those who have already shared resources or organized spaces to foster understanding and discussion…” The email reminds students “to call the counseling services office, and faculty and staff to connect with the Employee Assistance Program.” if needed.
Two of the “resources or organized spaces” already arranged coincide with protests scheduled by the Social Alternative MN and Minnesota Immigrants Rights Action committee this evening:
• La Raza Student Cultural Center is sponsoring a post-election discussion this evening from 6:00-8:00 p.m. in room 211 of Coffman Memorial Union.
• The Humphrey School of Public Affairs is hosting an intergenerational, interactive conversation, A Race Gender Dialogue on the 2016 Election, at 6 p.m.
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Andrea Mayer-Bruestle
Andrea Mayer-Bruestle is a former writer for Alpha News.
