COVID-19 and SCHOOL CLOSURE SUPPORT and RESOURCES ​

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>> The first portion of this page is geared to how be good to yourself and those around you. This could look like a million different things: allowing yourself to feel (even the difficult stuff!), perseverance, using coping strategies, remembering the good and positive things. 

>> The second portion reviews mental health information including: nearby agencies practicing telehealth, crisis resources, and a helpful parent/caregiver guide to support children based on developmental stage. 

>> The third portion reviews where to go/who to contact for needs such as: financial help, internet access, meal sites, & school district updates. 

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Be Good to Yourself!
 

• NEW! ​A fantastic resource on how to support your child & teen. At first it seems a bit overwhelming but focus on:

  • Pages 3-5 > Includes great tips for parents and students with helpful and clear ideas on how to support and cope during this time of change.

  • Pages 6-13 > Activities to help children explore their feelings and coping skills mostly through writing and drawing. 

    • Click HERE for access!​
       

• NEW! Beautiful coloring pages from Positively Present. A big shout out to
  Ms. Marchiondo (6th grade!) for finding and sharing this resource with me.
  The coloring pages are full of beautiful pictures and inspiring quotes.
  Coloring is a mindful and stress relieving activity and each quote can be a
  good conversation starter for how to focus on the positive during a
  difficult time. Enjoy!

  • For coloring pages - click HERE!
     

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• Resist the pressure to feel "right" or "be happy"

  • There is no "right way" to feel and there can be a
    lot of pressure to be happy, to make sure your
    family is happy, ok, or stable. But that's not reality!
    This is why I love this Mr. Rogers quote (click for 
    larger images). Children feel secure when they
    can express exactly what they are feeling 
    (especially the tough stuff!) with the certainty that
    they will not go through it alone. 

    • Parents - It is okay if your child is struggling
      and if you are struggling. It is okay if your child
      is sad, angry, or worried.

    • Allowing a space for their feelings to be heard, known, and accepted is an invaluable experience for anyone but especially for children as they learn how to express and navigate their feelings. You may feel unequipped to guide your child through their tough feelings but know this: your consistent presence is a beautiful thing. Sticking with them through their ups and down shows them that your "love can hold many feelings." It's not easy and we will not do it perfectly but your child will be aware of your love and care for them.

    • Remember, you need to take care of yourself, too. As parents, we often feel a very heavy weight to hold and manage everything. Please take time (even 15 minutes) for self-care.

    • If you want support in knowing how to do any the things I mentioned above, reach out to me!
       
       

• Coping Strategies​​ - struggling to cope with ALL the feelings? Check out this helpful Coping Skills Chart. It explains different types of coping, examples, and pros/cons of each.

  • We often find ourselves in "distraction" mode (scrolling through social media, Netflix & chill) - there's nothing wrong with the distraction strategies but I encourage you to look at the other categories including: emotional release and self love. Distraction is helpful, possibly the easiest, but it's not enough to get us through.

  • I recommend looking through this chart (parents, look through them with your child). Identify what already works for you/family members and what you could try together. If you want to go through these with me, or want to set up a time for me to review these with you and your child, please reach out!

    • the Coping Skills Chart can be found here!​​
      
       

• Kid President's "Tiny Poem"

  • ​This message is so timely. What is the message? Even when the
    world seems sad and dark, keep going. Keep going, keep going,
    keep going. Who in your life keeps you going? Tell them!
    A little word of thanks, of care, of love, goes a long way right now. 
    Click the title or the picture to view! Enjoy! 
    
     

• Click here for a message I sent to families on communication and relaxation exercises you can do together. This message includes pictures of each exercise, ideas and instructions on how to use each of the following:

  • "I feel/I need" Card​

  • Breathing Exercises: Figure 8 & Rainbow/Rollercoaster Breathing

  • Mindfulness Exercises: My Happy Place & 5 Finger Countdown
    
     

• Feeling stressed? ​Out of control? So many questions without a lot of answers? 
  (click for larger image)
                                                                         - This is a helpful image for students (and adults!). It serves as a reminder of 
                                                                       where our energy is best spent during a time of upheaval. A lot of anxiety                                                                                   and frustration is enhanced when we focus on the things beyond our control,                                                                           the or things we don't have answers for. The unknown is often what brings out                                                                         the most fear in each of us. To help combat this fear, we shift our time and                                                                                 emotional energy to the things we CAN control. The little decisions we make                                                                             each day to keep going.
  
                                                          - Spend some time together as a family and identify the things you can control,                                                                            the decisions you can make every day to do your part during this scary time.                                                                              List the things you know for certain (i.e. doctors and nurses are doing their                                                                                best to keep everyone as healthy as possible and/or we can keep ourselves                                                                                safest by social distancing and not having play dates right now.
  
   

• Missing School? You're not alone! I've been able to virtually meet with many of you and most students agree! They miss seeing each other, their learning, and their teachers! ​

  • ​To help create a sense of continuity during such a jarring time, below are clips that students are familiar with from Town Hall. I encourage families to watch these together and talk about the message of each. Viewing the videos can provide continuity for students, and help them to still feel connected to school even though we aren't currently together.  Please preview these before showing them to your child as our Town Halls run from grades K-8th. 

    • ​The influence of kindness: Kindness 1, Kindness 2, Kindness 3 

    • Kid President Messages: Message 1 & Message 2

    • TIGER PRIDE: RESPECTFUL - Clip 1  ** RESPONSIBLE - Clip 1, Clip 2 ** SAFE -  personal space , hands to self