Coming Together During the LA Wildfires

Dear WHPS Community,

As much as I’d love to retire the word unprecedented, the wildfires have brought it to the forefront again.

Nearly 180,000 people have been displaced, countless homes lost, and lives profoundly disrupted. It feels deeply personal when it touches our friends, neighbors, and school community.

Our school has been honored to serve as a safe haven, offering stability for families—whether they’re without power, preparing for evacuation, or simply seeking normalcy for their children. We’ve been deeply moved by the incredible generosity of our community. Almost immediately after receiving our January 8 email, families reached out to open their homes, offered pet care, and connected us to vital resources. Moments like these remind us that WHPS is more than just a school.

We remain committed to supporting our families and staff during this time. Whether through offering resources, helping children process these events with care, or organizing collections for essential items to assist those in need, we are here to help.

Resources & Helpful Information

• How Kids Are Processing This

  Even if you’re not discussing the fires at home, children are incredibly perceptive. They notice changes—smoke in the air, altered routines, or stress in the adults around them. Younger children may temporarily regress in developmental skills, such as struggling with sleep, separation anxiety, or toileting. Older children may ask more pointed questions, show heightened emotions like fear or sadness, or even repeatedly bring up the event as they process it.

  For younger children, these reactions might show up in unexpected ways, such as refusing to play outside without a parent nearby or engaging in repetitive, less imaginative play that reflects their focus on the event. For school-aged children, it might look like difficulty concentrating, increased physical complaints like stomach aches or headaches, or behaviors that seem unusually reckless or aggressive.

  We encourage you to acknowledge their feelings with empathy and provide simple, age-appropriate explanations. For example, you might say, “The fires are far away, and we’re staying safe,” or “It’s okay to feel worried, but we’re here to keep each other safe.” Offer comfort and reassurance, maintaining consistent routines like bedtime and school pickups to help rebuild their sense of security.

• How We Can Support Each Other

  Our school community has always shown incredible kindness and generosity, and this week has been no exception. Families have already stepped forward with offers of housing, pet care, and more.

  If your family needs assistance, please don’t hesitate to let us know. Whether it’s finding resources, connecting with other families, or simply lending an ear, we’re here to help in any way we can.

  You can reach out to me directly at Seth.Pozzi@WHPSchool.com or to the director of your child’s program. While we may not have every resource readily available, we’ve had multiple offers of support from families and would be honored to connect you in an effort to serve our community.

• Teaching Kindness Through Action: Supporting Fire Relief Together

  Helping children engage in social action is one of the best ways to lower their anxiety while teaching and modeling good citizenship. As we have done after past disasters, many of the classes will learn more about what happened (in a developmentally appropriate way) as we return to school. Students may write thank-you cards to first responders and, depending on age and how soon the emergency response improves, may even take the cards to the fire station or visit other first responders to express their gratitude.

  In addition, we’re proud to announce that WHPS is joining the efforts to support wildfire relief. “It’s Bigger Than Us” has partnered with Baby2Baby to organize donation collections of physical items, and we are participating by collecting these items at school.

  Please bring any items below to the front office at either campus:

  Household Supplies:
  Pillows, pillowcases, bedding, sleeping bags, flashlights, batteries, cat/dog food, and power banks

  Comfort Items:
  Warm scarves, shawls, stuffed animals, small toys, coloring books, storybooks, blankets, eye masks, cozy socks, and lap throws

  Clothing (New Only):
  Undergarments (all sizes), socks, and gently used or new shoes

  Personal Care:
  Toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap, body wash, first aid supplies, shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, feminine hygiene products, towels, and washcloths

  Please note: All items must be new and in their original packaging, except for shoes (gently used are acceptable).

  We will send out reminders next week, but as we prepare to [hopefully] return to school on Monday, January 13, please consider bringing anything that you can to contribute.

• Helping Kids Through Disasters

  Here are some tips to help children process and cope during challenging times:

  1. Ask what they’ve heard: Start with curiosity and correct any misinformation.

  2. Let them ask questions: Answer their questions honestly, in developmentally appropriate ways, and be okay admitting if you don’t have all the answers.

  3. Validate their emotions: Listen to their fears and acknowledge their feelings without dismissing them.

  4. Limit media exposure: Let children hear updates from you, not alarming broadcasts.

  5. Model emotional regulation: Show them how to handle emotions by staying calm yourself.

  6. Focus on routines: Predictability is grounding and provides a sense of safety.

  7. Spend time together: Play, read, or do crafts to nurture connection and ease stress.

  8. Keep the door open: Be ready for questions or emotions to surface at unexpected times.

  By maintaining a calm, consistent, and supportive environment, you can help your children feel secure during this uncertain time.

• Helpful Resources

  For Parents:

  • How to Talk to Kids About Wildfires - A guide to navigating conversations about wildfires with children.

  • Reactions to Traumatic Events by Age - Understand how children may process trauma differently based on their age.

  • Parent Tips for Preschoolers - Specific strategies for supporting young children during challenging times.

  Stay Informed:

  • CalFire Updates - The latest updates on wildfire activity and safety alerts in California.

  • List of Local Resources - Children's Institute Inc. has compiled a comprehensive list of shelters, mental health services, and distribution centers across LA.

  Additional Support & Resources:

  • Trinka & Sam: The Big Fire - A free book from Piplo Productions and the National Child Traumatic Stress Network, designed to help families and children talk about their feelings after a wildfire. Available in multiple languages along with supplemental materials, including a printable feelings poster.

  • Coping with Trauma and Stress in the Face of Wildfires - A free resource from Zero to Three, offering tips for early childhood professionals supporting children after wildfires.

  • How to Talk to Kids About Wildfires (PBS SoCal) – Insights from PBS SoCal on how to discuss wildfires with children in developmentally appropriate ways.

  • Coping with a Disaster or Traumatic Event (CDC) – A free factsheet from the CDC, available in multiple languages, with tips for caregivers navigating disaster-related stress.

  • Parent Guidelines for Helping Children Impacted by Wildfires – A caregiver-focused guide from the National Child Traumatic Stress Network, available in English and Spanish.

  • Protecting Children from Wildfire Smoke & Ash (EPA) – A factsheet from the US Environmental Protection Agency with tips to safeguard children from harmful smoke and ash exposure.

  Acknowledgments:
  Special thanks to Dr. Sherry Nourian and Dr. Sharon Arbel, who provided many of these resources and have been a tremendous and invaluable resource for our community.

The Power of Community

Thank you to everyone who has offered help, shared words of encouragement, or stepped forward to support those in need. Your generosity and compassion are a testament to the strength of our school community.

Times like these remind us of the importance of standing together. As we prepare to return to school, let’s take this opportunity to focus on how we can connect, uplift, and support one another. Even small acts of kindness, patience, and grace—toward ourselves and each other—can make a meaningful difference as we navigate these challenges.

If your family is in need of support or if you’d like to offer assistance to others, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re here to help and to ensure that no one faces this alone.

Warmly,
Seth Pozzi
Head of School