United Way seeks grant to help city schools deal with trauma-exposed students

When a brain senses danger, it kicks into fight, flight or freeze mode.

It sends signals to the body, pumps steroids into the muscles and adrenaline to the brain. It’s geared for the way humans lived in much earlier times, said Beth Tomlinson, assistant director of education for the United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley.

Such a brain is not equipped to learn, she said, but area teachers are familiar with the symptoms of children in this state, who might act out or simply put their heads down. When children experiencing trauma at home — whether it’s divorce, violence or other issues — come into the classroom, they’re not always ready to learn, Tomlinson said …

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