The importance of being able to cope with the trauma of Tyre Nichols’ brutal death took on a major focus this week for Memphis-Shelby County Schools (MSCS) and its students.
On Monday, MSCS released a video and accompanied article on the community aftermath of Nichols’ tragic death and the district came together to focus on the mental wellbeing of its students.
“The Memphis-Shelby County Schools family continues to uplift the family of Tyre Nichols and all who knew and loved the 29-year-old skateboarder, father, and nature photographer. Over the weekend, many of our students and staff members grappled with the circumstances of his brutal death,” wrote the district.
MSCS students engaged in a lesson called “Healing from Community Trauma.” It’s a unit provided in the district’s Social Emotional Learning (SEL) curriculum focusing on healthy habits for students to use.
“This is so important because it’s just about centering ourselves. We have elementary kids here who may not always be able to articulate what their thinking and how they’re feeling so it’s just a way for them to get together and center themselves,” said school principal Erika Lowe.
The lesson provided an emphasis on giving students the space to be able to sit and process their emotions so they can talk about them. Students additionally learned movement and breathing exercises to relieve stress.
MSCS also released a letter from MSCS’s Student Congress.
“We, the Memphis-Shelby County Schools’ Student Congress, are devastated and appalled by the tragedy that ended Mr. Tyre Nichols’ life. We are continuing to uplift the family and friends of Mr. Nichols. In the wake of this tragedy, there is no greater time than now to put aside our differences and unite to seek much needed reforms. To experience this in our city, county, and nation is heartbreaking and painful,” wrote students in the letter.
The MSCS Student Congress discussed the contents of the brutal video released last week involving Nichols and police and talked about uplifting the community and supporting Nichols’ family.
Students also provided criticism, saying there is work that needs to be done in their city, county, and the nation as a whole. The letter ended on optimistic note, hoping for the healing of their community.
“We know that the citizens of Memphis and Shelby County will unify to create the needed change. And hopefully, our classmates, educators, families, friends, brothers, sisters, and everyone near and far will come together to heal from this tragic event,” wrote students.
