The Quiet Emergency: When Adults Look Away and Kids Learn to Disappear

didn’t call attention to her.

She didn’t loudly announce, “Welcome, new student!”

She simply stepped closer, lowered her voice, and said, “Hey. I’m glad you’re here.”

My daughter nodded. Her mouth did a weird little twitch, like her face had forgotten how to form expressions that weren’t defensive.

The principal pointed casually down the hall. “If you continue reading …