The devastating flash flood in Nepal has claimed over 900 lives and left thousands more missing (4,700+). While this tragedy is happening far away, its ripple effects can be felt in our communities and in our children’s lives. As parents, educators, and community members, it’s important to understand how to support children emotionally and academically during such times.

Understanding the Long-Term Impact
Beyond the immediate devastation, this disaster will have lasting effects on individuals and communities, including:

• Lifelong injuries and disabilities
• Psychological trauma, including anxiety, depression, and PTSD
• Displacement and economic hardship
• Disrupted family and social networks
• Developmental and educational challenges for children

Supporting your children emotionally is vital. Children may hear about the event from friends, classmates, news, or social media, and may have questions or fears. How we respond can help them process what they’re hearing and build resilience.

​What Teachers Can Do in the Classroom
Teachers play a crucial role in helping children understand and cope with current events:

• Create a Safe Environment: Encourage open dialogue where children feel comfortable expressing their feelings.
• Use Age-Appropriate Educational Content: Incorporate lessons about natural disasters, safety, and community resilience, tailored to the children’s developmental levels.
• Focus on Empathy and Compassion: Guide children to learn about helping others and the importance of kindness.
• Monitor Children’s Reactions: Be attentive to signs of distress or trauma. Offer support or refer students to counselors if needed.
• Incorporate Mindfulness and Relaxation Activities: Help children manage anxiety through breathing exercises, art, or storytelling.
• Collaborate with Parents: Keep communication open with families to ensure consistent support at home and school.

Projects and Activity Ideas for Teachers:

1. Art Projects: Have students create drawings or posters expressing messages of hope, kindness, or support for those affected. These can be displayed around the school or sent to aid organizations.
2. Class Fundraiser: Organize a small fundraiser, like a bake sale or a book sale, to raise money for organizations such as the Red Cross or UNICEF. Teach children about how their contributions can make a difference.
3. Letter Writing: Encourage students to write supportive letters or messages to children and families affected by the disaster, which can be sent through relief organizations.
4. Community Service Projects: Plan a class or school-wide activity to collect clothing, supplies, or donations for disaster relief efforts.
5. Educational Campaigns: Develop posters or presentations about how children can help, such as donating money, volunteering, or raising awareness.
6. Storytelling and Sharing: Use storytelling to highlight stories of kindness and resilience from around the world, inspiring children to think about ways they can help others.

Remember: Small actions can foster compassion and teach children the importance of community support. Helping children understand that their efforts—no matter how small—can contribute to positive change builds empathy and resilience.

Supporting Students Affected by the Nepal Tragedy: Guidance for Educators
This is especially important if you have students who:

• Have family members or relatives in Nepal or Tibet  
• Had been visiting or recently returned from the region  
• Are from families affected directly or indirectly by the disaster

Consider the following approaches to create a supportive and empathetic classroom environment:
1. Create a Safe, Supportive Environment

• Encourage open dialogue and reassure students that it’s okay to share their feelings. Let them know they are supported and valued.

2. Use Age-Appropriate Content

• Incorporate lessons about natural disasters, safety, and community resilience tailored to your students’ developmental levels.

3. Be Sensitive to Personal Connections

• If you know a student has family in Nepal or Tibet, approach them privately to check on how they are doing and offer support.

4. Focus on Empathy and Community Support

• Teach children about helping others and the importance of kindness. Share stories of community resilience and recovery.

5. Monitor and Support Emotional Well-Being

• Pay attention to signs of distress, especially in students with personal ties to the region, and refer them to counselors if needed.

6. Engage Families

• Communicate with parents to understand each child's background and needs, ensuring consistent support at home and school.

7. Incorporate Learning Activities to Promote Empathy and Giving

While the tragedy in Nepal is distant, its effects remind us of the importance of community, resilience, and compassion. As parents and educators, we can help children process their feelings, understand the world around them, and develop the strength to face challenges. Supporting mental health and emotional well-being is an essential part of health education—especially during times of crisis.
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Let’s work together to nurture resilient, compassionate, and well-informed children.

This short video from the BBC provides an update on the recent tragedy in Nepal. It offers a brief overview of the situation, including the scale of the disaster and the ongoing relief efforts. Our goal in sharing this video is to help you, as a parent or teacher, better understand the circumstances and to foster empathy and support for those affected. Let’s take a moment to watch.

The heartbreaking death of 18-year-old Karoline Jordyn Heintz in California, Pennsylvania, serves as a stark and tragic reminder of the devastating consequences that relationship violence can have on young lives. According to police, Heintz was discovered around 12:24 a.m. near the California Public Library, with investigations revealing that her boyfriend, Royce Jones Moser, was responsible for her murder. His mother, Rachel Moser, is also charged with helping cover up the crime by hindering the investigation and tampering with evidence.

Criminal reports indicate that Heintz and Moser were in a personal relationship, and that after an argument at Moser’s father’s house, he stabbed her in her vehicle and placed her body in the back of a Jeep Cherokee (Shannon, 2026). The case has shocked the community, which mourns the loss of a beloved and talented young woman. Her family’s heartfelt statement calls for justice and underscores the urgent need for increased awareness, education, and prevention efforts to protect vulnerable teens and young adults from similar tragedies.
​
As many schools and colleges are just beginning their new fall semesters, this tragedy highlights the critical importance of incorporating relationship education early in the academic year. Many educational institutions are only starting to recognize the importance of this issue—making it essential that awareness and prevention efforts accelerate to protect students from harm.

Remembering Karoline Jordyn Heintz
Karoline was a talented Pennsylvania college soccer star and an incoming freshman on the university’s women’s soccer team at PennWest California. Beyond her athletic achievements, she was known for her warmth, kindness, and vibrant spirit—beloved by friends, family, and teammates alike. Her presence in her community was a source of inspiration and joy, and her loss leaves a deep void.

Her sudden, tragic death has shaken her community, including to other freshmen at Penn West Californis, to its core and serves as a powerful reminder that even young people at the cusp of new opportunities are vulnerable to the risks of unhealthy relationships and impulsive decisions. Her story underscores the importance of education and awareness in preventing similar tragedies.

A Collective Call to Action: Preventing Future Tragedies
The story of Karoline Jordyn Heintz is a tragic, preventable loss that underscores how relationship violence can impact anyone, often with devastating consequences. It calls on all of us—parents, educators, community leaders—to prioritize education and awareness to protect our youth. As adolescents' brains are still developing—particularly in areas related to decision-making, impulse control, and emotional regulation—it is vital to provide them with the skills and support they need to navigate these changes safely. We must not fail as adults by turning our heads or continuing to put teens and young adults at risk when these tragedies can be prevented.

As we honor her memory, let us work together to ensure that young people are equipped with the knowledge, emotional skills, and support they need to make safe, informed decisions. For those interested in learning more or getting involved, please visit Deana’s Educational Theater Facebook page, where resources and contact information are available. Through education and ongoing dialogue, we can help prevent future tragedies and foster healthier, more respectful relationships for generations to come.

Expanding Education Through Cognitive-Based Integrative (CBI) Programs
To build on the impact of The Yellow Dress, schools and communities can incorporate Cognitive-Based Integrative (CBI) programs, developed by Dr. James DeCarli. These evidence-based initiatives help teens and young adults develop resilience, emotional regulation, and healthy decision-making skills to reduce risk-taking behaviors. Given that brain development continues into the mid-20s, implementing these programs is especially timely. Click here to for more information about these programs and how to implement them at your school or college.

References
Shannon, J. (2026, August 21). Boyfriend, his mother charged in murder of PennWest California student found stabbed in car. WPXI. https://www.wpxi.com/news/local/boyfriend-his-mother-charged-murder-pennwest-california-student-found-stabbed-car/2AUESOF7KRFALAS55SDPNRWSKU/

Recently, pertussis (whooping cough), a highly contagious bacterial lung infection, has been on the rise in the U.S. — with cases increasing dramatically. In 2025 alone, there have already been 8,485 reported cases, more than double the 4,266 cases during the same period in 2024 — a staggering increase of over 50%. ​

Pertussis (Whooping cough) can be especially dangerous for babies and young children. It causes severe coughing fits, and in infants under one year old, it can lead to serious complications or even death. Many infants may not even have the classic "whoop" sound; instead, they might stop breathing, choke, or turn blue. ​

Like measles, which is also spreading at unprecedented levels, pertussis can be prevented by a safe and effective vaccine. Unfortunately, anti-vaccine sentiments and cuts to immunization services have led to declining vaccination rates over the past two years, leaving more children vulnerable. 

It is up to parents, grandparents, and caregivers to take responsibility, ensuring they and those around them are up to date on vaccines. By doing so, they can help protect not only their own children but also the most vulnerable in their communities.

​Vaccination is essential at every stage of life
Tdap vaccine protects against three serious bacterial diseases: tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (whooping cough). 

Infants and Children (DTaP Vaccine):  

• 2, 4, and 6 months: First three doses  
• 15-18 months: Fourth dose  
• 4-6 years: Final booster before kindergarten

Preteens and Teens (Tdap Vaccine):  

• 11-12 years: Single booster to renew protection

Pregnant Women (Tdap Vaccine):  

• Weeks 27-36 of each pregnancy: One dose to pass antibodies to newborns before their own vaccines start

Adults and Caregivers (Tdap Vaccine):  

• Everyone who hasn't received Tdap should get one dose  
• Routine boosters every 10 years  
• Close contacts of infants should stay up to date to protect vulnerable newborns

Note: These are general recommendations. Talk with your healthcare provider to determine the best vaccination schedule for you and your family.

See Previous Stories in Our Series:  

• First in Our Series: How Hesitation Can Endanger Your Child  

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Upcoming Stories: Stay tuned for more important updates during National Immunization Awareness Month

As a parent, a public health professional, and a Master Certified Health Education Specialist, I have seen firsthand the devastating impact of preventable diseases. Recently, we have seen concerning, and inexcusable, trends with measles outbreaks, due to the lack of vaccination. As of July 30, 2026, the U.S. has recorded over 2,371 confirmed measles cases, already surpassing the total cases from all of 2025, which was the highest since 1991 (Dall, 2026). 

Alarmingly, about 69% of these cases involve children and teenagers under age 19, with 20% in children under five. While specific details about long-term disabilities are confidential, we know that measles can cause severe complications, such as permanent brain damage or deafness, and, tragically, can be fatal. Most importantly, about 93% of those infected are unvaccinated or have unknown vaccination status. The data clearly shows that low vaccination rates lead to outbreaks, putting vulnerable children and communities at risk.  

Purpose and Meaning
Founded in 2002 by nonprofit leaders David Paine and Jay Winuk, 9/11 Day was established with a clear mission: to turn the anniversary of September 11, 2001, into a day of doing good. The founders envisioned a national movement that would honor the victims and first responders while promoting acts of service that bring Americans together. The goal is to create a lasting legacy of kindness, compassion, and community support that continues beyond the anniversary itself. 

Why Join Us?
Volunteering boosts your well-being by fostering a sense of purpose, reducing stress, and increasing happiness. It energizes your body, nurtures your health through acts of service, and strengthens community connections. Your efforts can make a meaningful difference—explore the opportunities below to get involved!

Join these Volunteer Opportunities
​​9/11 Day is actively working to increase awareness about this nationwide event and recruit volunteers to ensure the success of these impactful initiatives. Explore volunteer opportunities in the key cities in California below and be part of this meaningful movement. If you live outside of these cities, or anywhere nationwide, visit Volunteer · 9/11 Day events near you.

What do you do? The members of the event support team (formerly known as support staff volunteers) help set up the space, welcome/register meal-packing participants, carry meal-packing supplies to tables, and set the pace to help each shift meet its meal-packing goal. Event support team members do NOT pack meals. Volunteers must be 18+, and all positions are filled on a first-come, first-served basis. 

No prior training required - just a good attitude and a willingness to serve. All volunteers are prepared upon arrival. Volunteers may register for one or multiple shifts.

We look forward to having you joining us on this national day of doing good in our communities. This effort will help contribute to a legacy of kindness, compassion, and community support that continues throughout the year. 

​Mornings can be the most challenging part of the day for many families, often marked by resistance, tears, and stress. However, recent insights from sleep and neuroscience research suggests a simple, effective solution—one that takes just 60 seconds.

How does it work?
​Instead of abruptly waking a child with loud alarms or sudden movements, parents are encouraged to gently pause, allow their child a brief moment of additional sleep—often just 60 seconds—and then guide them into wakefulness with calm words, gentle touches, deep breaths, and stretches. This short pause helps reduce sleep inertia—the grogginess and irritability that often accompany abrupt awakenings—resulting in calmer, happier mornings.

​Real-world application
Parents have reported success in various situations, including long car rides to school. For example, the founder, and neuroscientist, shared how he used this routine while driving his daughter to science camp miles away. When his daughter started to doze off in the car, he simply asked if she wanted to sleep for 60 more seconds. Once his daughter was ready, he followed the same gentle wake-up process, and it worked perfectly.

Expert advice
Sleep specialists recommend practicing this routine consistently to create new, positive morning habits. Predictability, patience, and gentle gestures are key to making this work for children of all ages, from toddlers to teenagers.