Educators hear of impact of deployements on students
LATROBE – Darbi Pacifico was a new student at Kiski Area High School in the fall of 2004, and for the sophomore, that was an ordeal in itself. But in addition to having to acclimate herself to new teachers and making new friends, she also had to deal with her brother’s upcoming deployment to Iraq.
“It wasn’t easy,” she recently told a roomful of teachers, counselors, administrators and others participating in the Westmoreland County Student Assistant Program winter workshop hosted by St. Vincent College.
Pacifico, like many other youngsters across the country, had to cope with fathers, mothers, uncles, aunts, brothers and sisters heading off to war, leaving a myriad of questions and a void in the family unit, which can lead to problems in the classroom, said guest speaker Jackie Colland, St. Vincent College prevention projects specialist.
“Approximately 18,500 children in Pennsylvania have been affected by deployment,” she said.
Pacifico, whose brother, Seth, a U.S. Army Reservist with the 300th Transportation Group, has since returned home, but could be again called to active duty.
The time from when the family was alerted to the call-up until his return, said Pacifico, was troublesome, not only at home, but also at school.
At home, she said she was compelled to take on his chores in an effort to help the family.
“I became my brother while he was gone,” said Pacifico. “I thought I should pick up some of the slack.”
While she was determined to heed her brother’s advice to work hard in school, Pacifico admits it was a difficult time. Fortunately, she said, there were two people at the high school that saw she was struggling and formed a support group to help students coping with deployment.
“It gave me someone to talk to,” she said.
Teachers, said Colland, can play a pivotal role during a deployment and make it a “good experience or bad experience.”
“Schools can be a place of stability,” she said. “School can be an anchor.”
For Pacifico and other children, the state Department of Education, Center for Schools and Communities, along with the Pennsylvania National Guard, have developed “Mission Homefront: Raising Awareness of Children’s Needs During Deployment,” a program for educators with military children in their classrooms.
The predictability of the classroom can offer some comfort to the student, if educators are aware of the seven stages of deployment and are able to react with appropriate concern, said Colland.
How a child might react depends upon their age, family circumstances and emotional stability.
“After working part time, mom now has to find a full-time job,” said Colland of the adjustments families might have to make during a 12- to 18-month deployment. “The oldest child is now watching the younger ones after school.
“Sometimes, (youngsters) keep their feelings to themselves, which can result in a lot of stress.”
The first deployment stage is the anticipation of loss of the family member as they prepare to leave the family. The child fears the unknown, said Colland.
“What is going to happen within the family?” she said is a common question.
When the soldier leaves the home, there might be feelings of hopelessness or a sense of despair as the family deals with the reality that the family member is gone.
“Young children may not realize what is occurring or may begin acting out to get attention,” said Colland. “Older children and adolescents may also try to get more attention or they may withdraw from family and friends.”
An “emotional disorganization” stage then begins with family members having to cope with new routines and responsibilities, but eventually, the family adjusts and starts to feel comfortable in their new roles.
Meanwhile, said Colland, older children cannot escape the graphic images of war on the television and computer.
“They can be confused when they see the news,” she said. “The death of other soldiers can cause anxiety for the child.”
Teachers can be positive influences by maintaining classroom structure, reinforcing safety and security, exhibiting patience, taking time to listen, being sensitive, acknowledging the child’s feelings and reinforcing anger management.
“Never tell them that you know how they feel and don’t give them false hope,” said Colland.
School districts in Fayette County are currently being trained to implement the Mission Homefront program, said Erica Usher, spokeswoman for Fayette County Drug and Alcohol. The organization assists school districts with student assistant programs.
“More and more students are affected by deployments,” said Usher. “(Mission Homefront) will help (Student Assistant Program) team members to help students deal with their fathers, mothers, brothers or sisters leaving home for an extended period of time.”
Bill Wilson, Connellsville Area School District federal programs director said that Student Assistant Program team members would likely unveil the new program in the fall, but already have in place various programs to support “military” students.
“We have the Connellsville Patriots organization that sends countless packages to overseas to those serving in combat,” said Wilson. “(Organization sponsor) Linda Shearer does a great job; it lets the students know that we do care.”
The high school also holds various programs geared to honoring the veterans.
In November, said Wilson, students were encouraged to invite family members that had served in the military to join with other local veterans for a breakfast and program.
“It was very well received by the students and by our guests,” he said.
Darbi Pacifico’s father, Scott Pacifico, meanwhile, advised the educators to “listen and learn.”
“Be aware; give them your ear,” he said.