JumpStart American Crossword Puzzles Week (3/31/25)

QUOTE:  "Rarely, if ever, are any of us healed in isolation.  Healing is an act of communion." (bell hooks)

MESSAGE:  Similarly, Dr. Gabor Maté said something along the lines of ‘since trauma happens in a social setting, it must then be healed with other people.’

As we look around and see all the hurt and harm happening in our schools, we wonder how it can be fixed. The answer is both simple and difficult: in community.

It’s easy to say that we must come together in brother/sisterhood and be there for each other, to put we before me, and to do unto others as we would have done to ourselves.

It’s difficult to make that happen when we are in the midst of a loneliness epidemic, when deaths of despair rise at alarming rates, and organizations are scared to embrace everyone.

I think one of the first things is to remember WHY we come together in the first place: for connection. Instead of faculty meetings being all about announcements and scheduling, etc., what if we gathered to learn more about each other as people? I would bet that staffs that came together and treated each member with respect and love have a lot lower burn-out rate and a much higher retention rate.

THIS WEEK, TRY THIS:  The next time you plan a staff function - whether it’s lunch after testing, or an end-of-year celebration, think about why you are REALLY coming together, and then speak that reason out loud. Let people know what they can expect and what you expect. I’ll bet people are craving to be a part of your school’s community, and are just waiting for you to get it going.

DAD JOKE:  It's OK to believe in life after love.  Cher if you agree.