ASCD's response to the 2005 hurricanes focused on providing support to the whole child through resources that addressed the physical and emotional health of student dislocated by Hurricane Katrina or Rita. ASCD created a series of free workshops for educators working with displaced students in Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas—including trained cadre and volunteer presenters—and a kit of workshop materials. 

Workshop Materials and School-Based Strategies

ASCD's response focuses on providing relief to the whole child through a series of workshops that focus on helping educators working with these students:

• Building Resiliency, developed by Bonnie Benard and Sara Truebridge
  Introduces participants to an understanding of resiliency and how it pertains to individuals not only in an educational context but also in a context related to crisis, trauma, or cataclysmic events.
• Supporting Positive School Culture and Climate, developed by Phyllis K. Lerner
  Targets the importance of school culture and climate.

• Exploring New Roles for Families, Schools, and Communities, developed by Diane L. Horowitz
  Focuses on developing a collaborative environment that will support quality learning and improve family outcomes.

Educators in all locales are invited to download the workshop materials and use them with their colleagues. 

 Planned Responses to Unplanned Change Workshop Materials and School-Based Strategies ( 1.10 MB)

 Resources to help schools and families cope

 Lesson plan to help students understand hurricanes ( 84KB)