Hello Everyone,
Next week and the following week are big weeks for many of you and your students. A lot of our students are transitioning back to school and this is a big change as they have been remote learning for almost a year. Here are some tips to help your students if they are returning back to school:
· Establish a Routine: Students thrive when they have a routine and they will be starting a new schedule next week. Create a visual calendar for students so they know which days they will be at school and which days they will be at home. Also, start practice going to bed earlier and waking up earlier. Start talking about these changes before the first day of school if possible. Make sure you also have a morning routine like getting dressed, brushing teeth, getting your mask, and packing your backpack.
· Practice, Practice, Practice: Have your student practice wearing a mask before they go back to school and practice having them wash their hands thoroughly.
· Safety in Classroom: Talk to your student about the safety measures that are in place at school now, like desk dividers, keeping their distance, and following the arrows. Make sure to complete the health screener every morning too and take your child’s temperature before school.
· Manage Your Child’s Anxiety: The return to school can bring up feelings of anxiety for your child. They might be scared about going to school, being around other people, or just leaving the house. Be aware of signs of anxiety like: S decline in academic performance; change in eating habits; the inability to fall asleep until very late at night, and then the struggle to wake up; excessive feelings of guilt and restlessness; avoiding friends; and a change in mood such as irritability, tantrums, or emotional outbursts. Stomach aches, nausea, headaches, and obsessive behaviors such as perfectionism when performing tasks can also indicate that your child is struggling. Here’s how you can help them cope:
· Help your child identify their worries and fears, and then provide child-friendly, fact-based information to address those issues
· Reassure your child that their teachers and parents will be there to help
· Encourage your child to take “coping breaks” when they feel anxious, such as deep breathing, doodling for a few minutes, counting to a certain number, imagining a favorite place, or repeating coping statements such as, “It’s normal to be nervous, but I’m OK, and I’ll make it through the day”
· Encourage your child to tell you about how their worries affected them at school, and seek out extra help from a school counselor or teacher if needed.
There are other great resources, including checklists, on the CDC’s website: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/schools-childcare/parent-checklist.html#:~:text=Talk%20with%20your%20child%20about,changes%20in%20your%20child.
Remember: the Henry staff is always here for your student, yourself, and your family. We want to help make this transition successful and safe, so please reach out to myself or someone else at Henry if you need anything!
As a reminder, I want to make sure this information is meeting your needs, so please complete this survey as soon as you can:
https://forms.gle/prcQxhWfVn8Kojqi6
If you ever need anything, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me. The best way to reach me is by email: mgarfinkel@cps.edu
Have a great weekend,
Mrs. Garfinkel
