Marian Catholic High School has been designated a “Grief-Sensitive School” by the New York Life Foundation, receiving a $500 grant to help create a bereavement support plan and encourage ongoing staff development as part of the national Grief-Sensitive Schools Initiative.

Schools confront issues of grief and loss every day. One in 15 U.S. children will experience the death of a parent or sibling by age 18. Studies show that unresolved grief can have a social and emotional impact on children, leading to behavioral issues and poor performance in school. Yet educators often feel underprepared to help, with the vast majority of teachers reporting they have not received any bereavement training.

Through the Grief-Sensitive Schools Initiative - a pioneering effort to better equip schools to care for the grieving students in their midst - trained New York Life ambassadors connect with educators in their local communities to raise awareness and understanding of grief’s prevalence and impact among school-age children.

“During these challenging times, it is especially important that we have the best skills to offer our students, families and staff in the area of grief and its effects in our lives,” said the Rev. Allen Hoffa, Marian Catholic Head of School. “I am so grateful for the training our staff received and for the constant commitment of the Marian Catholic Family to care for every part of our students; mind, body and spirit.”

The program is an extension of the work of the Coalition to Support Grieving Students, a collaboration among leading K-12 professional organizations, to develop and deliver best-in-class grief support resources to educators. The New York Life Foundation founded the Coalition in 2013, in partnership with the National Center for School Crisis and Bereavement, as part of its commitment to improving schools’ ability to reach their grieving students.

After hosting a presentation on grief support resources, Marian Catholic agreed to strive to become a grief-sensitive school, and received a $500 grant which will be used to help deliver support to bereaved students and their families.