Pictured: Community Day School teacher Natasha Hamilton-Kenney with rising first-grader Tyler Sweeting

Hershorin Schiff Community Day School recently received a “Stronger Together” grant of $20,000 from The Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee to help fund an on-staff guidance counselor. The private Jewish day school, serving students of all faiths from preschool through eighth grade, applied for the funding to support its social and emotional learning efforts, especially as students are facing unprecedented stresses and uncertainties related to COVID-19.

A guidance counselor will be a critical component in re-engaging Community Day School’s students in the coming school year, aiding families and staff, rebuilding relationships, and continuing to provide a strong foundation for academic learning. Prior to COVID-19, research had shown that one out of every four children attending school had been exposed to a traumatic event that could affect their learning and/or behavior. This number has grown exponentially as the pandemic has triggered pre-existing traumas, adversity and disparities, grief, fear and anxiety, and a host of factors still unknown. Community Day School hopes the new position will help to fill gaps in trauma-based care at the school.

The objective of the Federation’s Stronger Together Fund is to provide funds to local Jewish organizations to fund emergency needs related to the COVID-19 crisis. Funds are being distributed based on the Federation’s funding priorities of food security, health and wellness, and operational subsidies related to pandemic-related costs and cash flow deficits.

Pictured: Community Day School teacher Natasha Hamilton-Kenney with rising first-grader Tyler Sweeting