What are some key principles teachers should keep in mind when working with families who are going through separation and divorce?

Allow students to talk about their feelings,but do not quiz them about their family situation.Help them express their feelings in acceptable ways.Respond to students in a way that shows teachers are willing to listen and care about them and their family.Be alert to changes in behavior or schoolwork and stay in contact with parents about these changes.Be sensitive to problems with getting work completed,concentrating in class,or acting-out behaviors,as students are sorting through the many psychological,emotional,and physical changes occurring in their lives.Encourage noncustodial parents to remain active in their child's schooling and extracurricular activities.Send all communications,such as newsletters or notes,to both parents' homes,rather than forcing the child to communicate information to the noncustodial parent.Be as neutral as possible when parents separate and remember that it is not your role to judge either parent.Include both parents and stepparents in conferences or meetings; offer separate conference times if parents do not want to meet together.Keep both parents informed about the child's schoolwork,such as projects or long-range assignments that may need to be completed on weekends when a child is visiting the noncustodial parent.Make a special effort to involve noncustodial parents in classroom activities by inviting them to volunteer in the classroom or with field trips,have lunch with their child,or attend school functions.Use age-appropriate children's books with the whole group,small groups,or individuals to give children an opportunity to discuss divorce and remarriage and share their responses to the books through art,writing,or other creative expressions.If a student seems to be seriously affected,seek professional help from the school counselor or social worker.