Schools offer 'support spaces' students who are ‘emotionally distressed’ about election results

Schools have been offering “support spaces” to students who are “emotionally distressed” or “anxious” about Tuesday’s election.

Georgetown University

Students at Georgetown University's McCourt School of Public Policy, which has a price tag of $61,200 per year, were offered a “Self-Care Suite” on Tuesday where instead of studying they could play Legos. The elite college offered students milk and cookies, mindfulness exercises, coloring books, and a Lego station.

“In recognition of these stressful times, all McCourt community members are welcome to gather . . . in the 3rd floor Commons to take a much needed break, joining us for mindfulness activities and snacks throughout the day,” wrote Director of Student Engagement Jaclyn Clevenger in an email to students, according to The Free Press.

University of Puget Sound

The University of Puget Sound in Tacoma, Washington is offering students a week-long refuge with cupcakes, arts and crafts, and a “Pause for Paws” event where they can soothe themselves with animals. On Thursday, students will be invited to a “post-election processing space” where they can create journals about their feelings on the election results, make collages, and partake in a baked potato bar.

Ethical Culture Fieldston School

The Ethical Culture Fieldston School, an elite private high school in New York City that costs $65,540 a year, canceled tests and assignments Wednesday and allowed students to take off if they felt emotional about the results.

The school’s principal, Stacy Bobo, sent an email prior to the election saying the institution “acknowledges that this may be a high-stakes and emotional time.”

“No matter the election outcome, [the school] will create space to provide students with the support they may need,” she wrote.

Comedian and actor Jerry Seinfeld, who sent his two sons to Fieldston, said he ultimately pulled the younger one out because of such antics.

“This is why the kids hated it,” he told the New York Times. “What kind of lives have these people led that makes them think that this is the right way to handle young people? To encourage them to buckle. This is the lesson they are providing, for ungodly sums of money.”

Sesame Street

On Monday, the Grover character from “Sesame Street” posted a message on X aimed at the show’s young audience. It featured a drawing of Grover looking perturbed, accompanied by the words, “It's ok to feel anxious.”

“We all face moments when things feel overwhelming, and that’s okay,” the post’s caption read. “Remember, you are not alone.”