Weekly Update
Keeping us connected during the COVID-19 school closure
The Strength of Community
To that end, I appreciate your attention to Tuesday's process of collecting students' materials. The process was very smooth with everyone working together. Thankfully we were able to complete that work with "essential worker/essential travel" status and were able to get students' materials back to them. While we are still not able to have all of our school staff together for Tuesday's collection, all of our staff were there in spirit through our signs and positive messages for our students!
As we head into June, we are looking for a strong finish to our school year. As a school community is working through many ways that we can support our important and symbolic end of the year events and hold true to the important orders that maintain social distancing and support the overall health of our community. One way ware are doing this is through our virtual Field Day on June 3rd. For more specific information on Field Day will come out early next week and more information on the other events will come out as it is finalized.
I wish you all a happy and healthy weekend!
-Adam
Pictures from our Return of Student Items Pick Up Day
Messages specifically for 5th graders and the 5th Grade Flag
From the Nurse: Face Masks
Information taken from https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/diy-cloth-face-coverings.html
The CDC continues to study the spread and effects of the novel coronavirus across the United States. We now know that a significant portion of individuals with coronavirus lack symptoms (“asymptomatic”) and that even those who eventually develop symptoms (“pre-symptomatic”) can transmit the virus to others before showing symptoms. This means that the virus can spread between people interacting in close proximity—for example, speaking, coughing, or sneezing—even if those people are not exhibiting symptoms. In light of this new evidence, CDC recommends wearing cloth face coverings in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain (e.g., grocery stores and pharmacies) especially in areas of significant community-based transmission.
It is critical to emphasize that maintaining 6-feet social distancing remains important to slowing the spread of the virus. CDC is additionally advising the use of simple cloth face coverings to slow the spread of the virus and help people who may have the virus and do not know it from transmitting it to others. Many people have taken to wearing cloth face coverings made from material at home. It is important to properly wear and care for your mask.
Here’s more information on the proper use of cloth face masks.
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/downloads/cloth-face-coverings-information.pdf
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/downloads/DIY-cloth-face-covering-instructions.pdf
From the Counseling Office
Hello Trumbauersville families! As we come to a close on our ninth week of distance learning, many of us have begun to adjust to the digital format, and are doing the best we can to support our children as they continue to learn and grow academically. Although the academic growth of our students is always a priority, now more than ever, it is important to focus on the social-emotional health of our students, as learning may be near impossible to achieve without first attending to the emotional needs of our children.
So how do we know if our children are experiencing stress or anxiety as a result of the pandemic? The below-linked article “Parenting Tips for Helping Kids Deal with Coronavirus Anxiety” details a few notable behaviors that may indicate that our children are struggling including:
Hypervigilance about your health or others: Fears that the coronavirus will harm them or someone they love.
Separation anxiety: If your child suddenly needs to know where you are at all times or won’t play alone, he or she may be feeling unsafe.
Moodiness and tantrums: Meltdowns over having to do schoolwork or chores, oversensitivity, and talking back can be a child’s way of venting anxiety.
Difficulty sleeping is a strong indicator that a child feels troubled, and as every parent knows, an overtired child will have trouble coping with even the smallest setback.
So what can we do if our children are struggling? Noticing these signs and taking the time to simply chat and spend time with your child is an important first step. Please see the article below for additional information regarding the importance of monitoring and addressing the social-emotional health of our students during this time, and as always, do not hesitate to reach out with additional questions or for advice on a particular situation. Be well and stay positive!
Parenting Tips for Helping Kids Deal with Coronavirus Anxiety
Laura Gordon
School Counselor