School Leaders Offer Help For Students After U.S. Capitol Siege

MARLBOROUGH, MA — Local education leaders are asking teachers and parents to consider how young people may interpret the history-making siege of the U.S. Capitol by Donald Trump supporters on Jan. 6.

On Wednesday afternoon, Marlborough Superintendent Michael Bergeron sent a message to parents saying the district would provide resources to teachers and principals to support students to help them learn about what happened.

"There is no doubt that your children have seen the images and news stores on the television or internet about the protestors entering the Capitol building in Washington D.C.," Bergeron said. "This can be confusing and cause distress to our kids, who may not know how to process this event and what they have seen."

In a letter to parents Wednesday night, Framingham Superintendent Robert Tremblay expressed shock at the events on Jan. 6, but also said it's a "teachable moment."

"I ask our students to consider the consequences of violence and to look to history to see the legacy of individuals we hold in high regard," Tremblay said in part. "Their non-violence is a roadmap for the right way to change the world. I ask our families to create space for your children to engage in dialogue with you, to hear their thoughts and concerns and questions. I ask our educators and education leaders to not shy away from helping those in your care to make sense of the world around them in the face of senselessness."

Natick Superintendent Anna Nolin said elementary and middle schools would offer support and an after-school forum for students. Social studies teachers in the middle and high school levels were meeting Thursday morning to discuss how to talk about the siege.

"Our Constitution and the law have affirmed the November election results and support the certification of them — we, as parents and community members, have a duty to frame this moment for our students," she said in a message to parents. "You will frame this moment with your children in alignment with your family's values and understanding, and we will do so relative to our ongoing discussion of creating capable leaders who can have civil, civic discourse."

The Wednesday afternoon riot produced stunning images of chaos. Four people died — including one woman who was shot by Capitol police — and by Thursday morning 52 people had been arrested.

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