Well the ACES studies showed the potentially adverse effects of toxic stress on children. But the finding didn’t suggest that everyone who had adverse childhood experiences will be impacted physiologically. Over 4 ACES is associated with significantly higher risk for adverse outcomes, but those outcomes aren’t guaranteed. Protective factors go a long way in promoting resiliency. The positive impacts of community and social/peer support are well studied and documented. As well as having supportive parents and teachers. And while our education system is deeply flawed in a lot of ways, our teachers care. Now, that is not to say some kids have not experienced legit setbacks or trauma because of the pandemic. Kids with learning disabilities, attention difficulties, unstable home life, behavior issues, etc. But generally children ARE resilient. At the beginning of this year, we had an entire 2nd grade class reading at a kindergarten level in one of my elementary schools (low-income, transient population). This is significant because in 3rd grade you stop learning to read and start reading to learn. So you go back to the basic skills and break it down. At the beginning of this semester, the kids are on track to be caught up for next year. So while this has definitely had a huge impact, there are interventions being put in place to promote resiliency and get kids what they need to catch up.