Superintendent's Message
Susan M. Hasenauer, Superintendent
Resources for Talking to Children About Violence
Pirate Toy Fund Visit to Kelley School Was a Blast!
Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra Delights Newark Audience
Please click here for entire story: https://www.newarkcsd.org/cms/lib/NY01000239/Centricity/Domain/1/Wonderful%20To%20Have%20The%20RPO%20Back%20In%20Town.pdf
Paintathon Was a Huge Success!
Please click here for the entire story: https://www.newarkcsd.org/cms/lib/NY01000239/Centricity/Domain/1/Window%20Wonderland.pdf
Holiday Tips from the NCSD Counseling Department
How to Prevent Holiday Stress and Anxiety in Children
Updated on December 05, 2020
Medically reviewed by Carly Snyder, MD
The holidays are a fun and joyous time but also a very busy one, and holiday stress and anxiety in children can and does happen. During the holidays, there are lots of fun activities and events going on, both at home and at school. And while that can be a good thing, the reality is that all that hustle and bustle means schedules are often out of whack, bedtimes get pushed back, and routines are disrupted. As a result, it’s inevitable that kids may feel some degree of holiday stress.
Tips for Reducing Holiday Anxiety in Kids
Try these tips for lessening the stress of the holidays on the whole family.
Set a Calm Example
The most important way parents can help ease anxiety in children during the holidays is by trying to keep things relaxed as much as possible. As with so many situations, the way parents handle an issue can set the tone for how their kids will behave. If you let holiday stress get to you, your kids will definitely pick up on it, and child anxiety is more likely to be a problem in your house.
To minimize anxiety in children during the holidays, take steps to handle your own stress and anxiety.
Set up Conditions for Good Behavior
Avoid taking your child to places, such as the mall or holiday gatherings, when he is hungry or tired. It’s hard, even for grown-ups, to deal with noise and lots of stimulation when they’re not feeling their best; kids get hungry more often and become tired more easily and may understandably have a tough time being on their best behavior and are more likely to experience holiday stress when they’re exhausted or hungry.
Remember the Importance of Routines
The holidays can throw a big wrench into household routines, and that can play a role in anxiety in children. To minimize holiday stress in your kids, try to get routines back on track once an event or party is over. For instance, if a school holiday concert or a church gathering goes past your child’s bedtime, try to stick to quiet, calm activities the next day and get your child to bed on time the next night.
Watch What They Are Eating
Another thing that can fall by the wayside amidst the holiday hubbub is healthy eating. Between all the extra sugary holiday snacks and the lack of time to sit down to regular meals, it can be all too easy for kids to eat less healthy foods, which can contribute to holiday stress and anxiety in children.
Try packing healthy snacks when you have to go shopping or run other holiday errands and try to minimize the number of sweet treats at home. Whenever possible, offer healthy snacks, such as air-popped popcorn or apple slices with cheese and crackers and limit cookies and candy to after-snack treats.
Get Your Child Moving
Fresh air and exercise are essential for boosting mood and re-setting the spirit, which can alleviate holiday stress and anxiety in children. Make sure you schedule some time to get your child outside to run around and play.
Avoid Overscheduling
As tempting as it may be to accept every invitation from friends and family, try to limit your holiday parties and activities so that you and your child are not overwhelmed.
A couple of events a week may be fine, but having an obligation every day can lead to holiday stress and anxiety in children.
Have Your Grade-Schooler Help You
Big kids love to help mom and dad, especially if they get lots of praise for being responsible and helpful. If you have to shop, ask your child to help you look for an item at the store (fun stocking stuffers for cousins, for example). Giving your child a task will not only boost her self-esteem, but it’ll also distract her and help prevent any holiday stress and anxiety.
Schedule Some Quiet Time
Having some peace and quiet with your child is more important than ever during the busy holiday season. Find a quiet corner and read a book with your child or create holiday pictures for grandma and grandpa. Take a walk outside in nature, away from noise and crowds and obligations.
Focus on Helping Others
A great antidote for holiday stress and the bloated commercialism of the season is helping others, whether it’s by shoveling an elderly neighbor’s sidewalk or by wrapping presents for needy kids at your local church. Helping your grade-schooler become a charitable child will help alleviate her holiday stress and anxiety.
Holiday Message from Julia Solan
Happy Holidays NCSD Families!
I hope you and your family are staying warm this time of year. Remember if your child is in need of warm winter coats, please feel free to reach out to myself, your building principal, or a school counselor to see how we can best support you! If you or you know someone who may need support for the Holiday season, please click this link Free Holiday Dinner Registration, Wed, Dec 22, 2021 at 3:00 PM | Eventbrite to sign up for a FREE ham dinner (to-go) that is being sponsored by Wayne MOST. Please sign up in advance!
Currently at our Middle School and High School, our community utilizes Character Strong. Character Strong is a platform that utilizes structured activities to demonstrate and practice social skills for our students. Through Character Strong, we have access to “Family Dares”. Family Dares are simple ways to engage our community and families to connect with each other and practice skills students are learning in school, at home! Every month I will share a Family Dare in our building newsletters in hopes of growing stronger bonds both in our learning communities and our communities at large here in Newark. I hope you and your family will find time to participate in these dares and find them enjoyable! If you chose to complete the challenge, please feel free to tweet or email a photo of you and your family engaging in it so we can share it throughout our district.
Over the Holiday Break, I would like to challenge our families in the Family Dare below by Character Strong. Don’t forget to share with me through Twitter or through email!
Happy Holidays!
Julia Solan, LMSW
K-12 School Social Worker Julia.solan@newarkcsd.org
Twitter: @MrsSolan_NCSD
Newark to Receive Revitalization Grant!!
Professional Development Corner
Here are some of the upcoming sessions:
- MTSS Supports on 1/13/22
- Tracking Your Student's Progress with Parent Accounts on 1/19/22
- Device Care for New HP Laptops on 1/26/22
Please click here to register: https://forms.office.com/r/LUjvE8A405
Newark CSD Staff Present at Rural Schools Winter Conference
2021 Annual Chamber of Commerce Awards
- Victoria Greene (nominated by Laci Graham)
- Gabriella Taylor (nominated by Kathy Eckert)
- Trinity Wells (nominated by Roberta Colacino)
COVID-19 Testing / Updates / Resources
https://apps2.health.ny.gov/doh2/applinks/cdmspr/2/counties?OpID=D3A91589E5E60252E0530A6C7C15A5D6
Above is the link for the Booster Vaccination clinic here at WCPH on Wednesday, 1/5/22, from 3-6 pm. We will be offering all 3 types of vaccines.
This clinic is for ages 16 and up who are eligible. To be eligible you must have either had 1 dose of Johnson & Johnson at least 2 months ago OR 2 doses of Pfizer or Moderna at least 6 months ago.
Please click here for Frequently Asked Questions regarding 5-11 year old's and the COVID Vaccine: https://covid19vaccine.health.ny.gov/frequently-asked-questions-about-5-11-year-olds-and-covid-19-vaccine
Please click here for the Commissioner's Determination on Indoor Masking (NEW): https://www.newarkcsd.org/cms/lib/NY01000239/Centricity/Domain/1/2.60-determination-12.10.21.pdf
Please click here for the Summary Table of the 12/10/21 Commissioner's Decision on Indoor Masking (NEW): https://www.newarkcsd.org/cms/lib/NY01000239/Centricity/Domain/1/Summary%20Table%2012-10-21%20Commissioners%20Determination%20Masks.pdf
Newark CSD Athletic Schedules
Safe Schools Hotline
In response to the needs of our community, I am excited to introduce to you a Safe School Helpline as a preventative measure to safeguard our students and our schools PreK -12. This helpline has been developed for you, our students, parents and staff members to help maintain safety and the most positive school environment possible. The hotline can be used to report wrongdoings or illegal activity. Any type of information involving a threatening situation to students, the school or staff should be reported. Examples include thoughts of suicide or self-harm, violence, weapons, bullying, drugs and alcohol and theft. It is confidential, anonymous and available 24/7. For students that need immediate assistance, a counselor will be on hand and responsive.
To access this line, just call from a touch-tone phone to 1-800-4-1-VOICE, ext. 359 (418-6423) to leave your information. Or TEXT: 614-426-0240 Then type: TIPS Your message will not be traced and you will not be identified. The Safe School Helpline® team will transcribe and fax your message to school officials, so appropriate action can be taken. Posters and brochures will be visible throughout the District and information will also be on our website.
Thank you again for your continued support to continually improve your child’s education and sense of belonging in our District. If you have any questions regarding the Safe School Helpline, please don’t hesitate to call. I am looking forward to an amazing school year!
Please click here to access additional information on our Safe School Helpline from our website: https://www.newarkcsd.org/safeschoolhelpline
Board Meetings Open to the Public
The next Board meeting will be held on January 5th at 6:30 PM. You can find a complete list of the Board meetings happening during the 2021-22 school year on our website. Please check the website closer to each meeting date for the agenda.
As you may know, the Board has an open seat for a new Board of Education member. The deadline to submit petitions is Monday, January 10th at 5:00 PM. If you are interesting in becoming a Board of Education member, please click here for more information: https://www.newarkcsd.org/cms/lib/NY01000239/Centricity/Domain/30/Board%20Petition%20Packet.pdf
District Hiring Needs
The Newark Central School District is in immediate need of the following positions that offer full benefits:
- Middle School Principal
- Spanish Teacher
- Technology Teacher
- Long Term Sub (Special Education Teacher)
- Elementary Teachers (2)
- Teaching Assistants
- Teacher Aides
- Monitors
- Bus Drivers
- Bus Monitors
- Custodian
Please click here for a newsletter from Dan McAlpin, Executive Director of Human Resources. There are links in the newsletter to apply for any of the above positions. https://www.smore.com/6qrxm