Happy Easter Season, CKS! He is risen!

During this season of lockdown and uncertainty, I'd love to share with you some CKS moments of grace that may make you smile, feel encouraged, and realize the treasures we have among our school community.

First, and most importantly, I am so grateful for the Stations of the Cross created by our eighth graders and their teachers. The readings, reflections, singing, and artwork came together in a beautiful way to make our Good Friday holy at home. Many, many thanks to all of our dedicated artists, singers, and readers.

Second, I'd like to thank the many school parents and community members who helped our students with our virtual Career Day. Some time ago, I asked parents and friends in various careers to come out to speak with our eighth graders about their work. When school closed, I emailed each of those volunteers asking if they could correspond with our eighth graders for a virtual career day. In so many cases, practically as soon as I hit "send," I received so many gracious replies. Thank you to all those who took the time to thoughtfully answer our young people's questions about the world of work.

Third, this past Monday, Mr. Dombrowski organized an unforgettable experience for the eighth grade students. Via the wonders of video calls, we were held spellbound listening to the life story of Mr. Irving Roth, a Holocaust survivor. I cannot thank Mr. Dombrowski and Mr. Roth enough for this once-in-a-lifetime experience.

There are many more that could be mentioned, but I hope this sampling of acts of kindness and love among us brightens your day.

This is the best resource I have found regarding communicating with children about this virus. It is from the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.

https://www.aacap.org/App_Themes/AACAP/Docs/latest_news/2020/Coronavirus_COVID19__Children.pdf

Good, positive message for young people:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2OjjWh-8Iv0&feature=youtu.be

If you're looking for a laugh, or your children could use a review of any of the following topics, feel free to watch my homemade iMovies. They were made for elementary grades, but feel free to use as you see fit. Added bonus of finding out what Mrs. Gibson looks like in desperate need of a haircut:)

Resilience :https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UZ8EjrUV2UY&t=9s

Gratitude: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ChYfcBtPgx4

Identifying Emotions: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o2FeQtkJCTc

Fear: Hopefully, things are feeling if not "normal," then maybe "new normal," around the house by now. However, if your young child is experiencing fear or worry over the current situation, here is a link to a fabulous Veggie Tales episode on fear. It's called "God is Bigger Than the Boogie Man." I use it with our Pre-K 4 classes around Halloween, but it is very applicable to anytime children feel fear or worry. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fpX7WrTbzA8

Do you have a voracious reader in need of a book club? I am very excited to host a book club for grades 4-6 for a couple of weeks, and the start another club after that for middle school or grades 2-3. For grades 4-6, I am reading From the Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler and can start activities and discussions next week. Just have your child email me if he/she is interested! It should be a fun way to stay connected over this isolating time.

This is not an easy time for anyone. Most of you are working from home and trying to keep on top of your children's eday work as well. On days that you really do a great job at your own work, it's likely the children's work is not so great. On days that you really try to help the kids with their work, your own job probably suffers. Others of you are frontline workers in healthcare, having to go out into the community to make a positive difference every day, and facing all the anxieties and emotions that that brings. The added stresses that each person is undergoing in this crisis were unexpected. My prayers are for the well being of all our families and the whole community.

I hope everyone is going easy on themselves and the kids. Today, my heart broke a little bit more when I saw my daughter's answer to a writing prompt that asked, "If you could go anywhere in the world right now, where would you go?" Her answer was school. I'm going to try to remember that answer when she's especially difficult and emotional over seemingly little things. Their little worlds that they love have been falling apart.

On the brighter side, I have to hope that at the end of this, so many things that the children and all of us took for granted will be savored and treasured as never before. I have to hope that day by day through inconveniences, anxieties, disappointments and annoyances, we are all growing bit by bit in faith, hope, love, and patience. I have to hope that that desire for nothing more than to gather together as a school and a church community doesn't die away when things get "normal" again.

Please, please feel free to email me if you have concerns about your child's emotional well-being. I am not a therapist, but I talk to lots of kids about their feelings. After speaking with your child, I may be able to provide some suggestions, or, in some cases recommend a therapist to work with. Contact me any time, even just to say hi! cgibson@ckslex.org

Be well, and please keep in touch.

God bless,

Mrs. Gibson