THE PRIDE PRESS
Essex Elementary School Newsletter
May 22, 2020
PRINCIPAL NEWS
Hello EES Families,
Over the past few weeks I have been contacted by a number of families about how they might go about collecting personal student belongings that were left behind in our haste to vacate the school. As with almost everything else these days the solution to this seemingly simple problem is way more complex than it would initially seem! First, a system needs to be designed that allows teachers to access the building in a way that supports social distancing and CDC guidelines. Then they need to collect, bag and label the materials, which then need to sit for several days in their own little “quarantine”. Finally, a system for safe and efficient pickup needs to be designed and followed!
Anyway, the long and the short of it is that we are working on those systems. (as well as systems for collecting library books, distributing library books and collecting Chromebooks, etc) To quote the Agency of Education, “Further guidance will be forthcoming”!
Meanwhile, please enjoy what promises to be a classic Vermont spring weekend!!
Fostering Resilience & COVID-19
A message to parents & caregivers - Week 2
Joelle van Lent, Psy.D
Children and teens look to their trusted adults to calibrate their worry, emotion, and action. Our ability to self-regulate increases our ability to co-regulate. There are times we will help them calm and times we will help them activate to respond wisely to risks or safety issues.
Self – regulation:
Notice how you are feeling without judgment
Name that feeling (practice emotional literacy)
Use healthy coping skills to bring your emotion to the optimal zone for the situation
Social connection is the most powerful buffer to stress. Small doses of meaningful connection frequently throughout the day are powerful.
No loss is insignificant- Do not move too quickly to problem solving when children voice disappointments or losses. Connection and validation are most helpful.
CLassroom News
Mrs. Ayers' Class
Elliot is learning about butterflies and wanted to share some of his discoveries!
SCHOOL COUNSELORS
Dear Families,
We hope that the sunshine and warmer temperatures have lifted peoples spirits this past week! One of the best things we can do right now is to be outside and let nature support our immune system and general mindset about life right now. The next few weeks will be filled with anticipation about the end of the school year as well as what school may look like this coming fall. We all are working to make these transitions as smooth as possible.
Here is a webinar you may be interested in watching presented by UVM on May 28th. This webinar addresses children’s mental health needs as our country reopens and we face the many challenges that lay ahead.
Be well,
Kim, Sarah & Brea
HEALTH OFFICE NEWS
Wearing a mask in public
When you go out in public, wearing a mask and staying 6 feet from others is a way to keep you and others around you healthy during this pandemic. Make it a habit for the whole family whenever you leave home and are around others. Children under the age of 2 should not wear a mask. The mask or covering should always cover your mouth and nose. Learn more about how to use and make cloth face masks or coverings and where you can buy one on the VT Department of health web page. https://www.healthvermont.gov/response/coronavirus-covid-19
Stay well,
Kimberly Bullock, BSN, RN
EES Nurse
Essex Free Library News
CHILD NUTRITION
Please note, no meal distribution on Monday, May 25th
ESSEX ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
We take care of each other
We take care of our school
Email: dsturgess@ewsd.org
Website: https://www.ewsd.org/EES
Location: 1 Bixby Hill Road, Essex Junction, VT, USA
Phone: (802)-878-2584