Dear Morningside Center friends,

The shooting in Colorado Springs is on our minds, and grief is in our hearts. We are grateful for the rapid response by LGBTQ organizations including GLAAD, and for the creation of a fund for survivors and families of those killed at Club Q on November 19.

Below, we offer a healing circle and other strategies to give students space to respond to this tragic news. In this issue, we also share teaching ideas on Native American Heritage Month, Thanksgiving and gratitude, and honoring our feelings during the holidays.

Plus, an announcement: Morningside is looking for a Data Processing Coordinator to join our community. Read the full job announcement here.

Healing Circle: Attack in Colorado Springs

In a healing circle, students share their responses to the attack on an LGBTQ nightclub in Colorado Springs. Also see our general guidelines and other resources for discussing upsetting issues in the classroom. 

Resources for Teaching on Indigenous History & Culture

Native American Heritage Month (November) is an opportunity to learn about Indigenous peoples' history, culture, and perspectives. See our lesson collection for ideas.

Honoring Feelings During the Holidays

In this activity, students share holiday traditions and experiences, and acknowledge the range of emotions that accompany the season.

Thanksgiving and Gratitude

Here are five lessons on gratitude, exploring myths and facts about the complex American history surrounding the Thanksgiving holiday, and more.

How Educators View Social-Emotional Learning, in Charts

"More than a third of the teachers, principals, and district leaders surveyed said social-emotional learning, or SEL, was one of many strategies available to them; more than a quarter said it was a transformational way to improve schools; and almost a quarter said it was a promising idea." By Kevin Bushweller at EdWeek

Working Through Death and Grief With Social-Emotional Learning

"There will be times when your entire class needs to sit with their grief or a group of students will want to talk through their feelings on certain topics. It is possible to be prepared when this happens." At Planbook

" Not one more life should be taken or lost. No one should feel unsafe to celebrate or live authentically in public."

- Nadine Bridges, Executive Director, One Colorado