I was never a teacher, but from age 17 to19 I was a camp counselor a yovel ago, at a non-Lubavitcher summer camp. We actually needed to take training classes during the winter to prepare us to care for our campers. Once we were given our list of campers, we were also advised about their family backgrounds so we would be sensitive to their needs: Dina came from a warm, solid, wealthy family of six sisters, but her mother had passed away a few years earlier, and the father had remarried, and now she had two new little stepsisters. Dina was a deep, kind, generous, funny 9-year-old and an absolute joy, although she would become sad occasionally at rest hour and speak about her mother A”H. Knowing her background really helped me tune in, be a good listener, and help her have a great summer. Simcha’s parents were newly divorced, and that was difficult for her. She didn’t talk about it, although she was quite restless and misbehaved sometimes. There wasn’t really anything I could do for her, but at least knowing about her home life meant that I was kinder and gentler to her while disciplining her.

Principals and teachers really need to KNOW WHAT’S GOING ON IN THE HOME LIFE OF THEIR STUDENTS, if at all possible. Did Tatty get laid off from his job? Does Mommy have insufficient help with a houseful of little kids? Of course, staffers need to be extremely careful not speak Lashon Hora or talk casually about family secrets, and they need to not treat any child as a nebbach case. They also shouldn’t try to play “therapist.” If the child needs help, get them to a professional, obviously. Hatzlacha to everyone in the New Year!