SWISD Counseling & Social Work
Weekly Communication: Week of 3/16/2020
Schools are closed. Now what?
SWISD Counseling Department and our entire staff understand that this is a difficult time in which our students and community may have a lot of questions. These questions may stem from anxiety, fear, the unknown or just simply worried about what is to come for the rest of the school year. Our counseling team wants to be able to help as much as we can.
In order to support our students during this time of school closures, we will continue to
provide weekly updates and hope to bring you resources that you can use. We are also asking that parents and students visit the SWISD website for updates and information. SWISD has been planning and preparing so that your children still have the opportunity to have instruction and educational support. We also want to provide Social Emotional Learning and support. Students will have to set schedules to do their school work at home. We are asking for the parents full support in this. We are currently working on a schedule so that our Counseling Team, along with our Social Workers, can be available as needed. More on this to come as we update you.
What support & resources are available now?
Curbside Food Service
On-Line Instruction
Due to the closure through April 3, SWISD is implementing its instructional continuity plan, families may pickup technology devices for their students at their campuses starting Thursday, Mar. 19 & Friday, Mar. 20. Teacher and student resources can be found at www.swisd.net/onlineinstruction . You will receive additional information from your campus principals and teachers through Remind.
Charter (Spectrum) and AT&T are both providing solutions for internet access during these closures.
Printed Instructional Packets
Keep Calm & Breath........ Social Emotional/Mindfulness Ideas
One Breathe.....
- Find a relaxing place.
- Breathe deeply in and out while you pay attention to any sensations you notice or sounds you hear.
- Take another slow deep breath, imagine the air moving down into the lungs and back up.
- Take one more deep breath and hold for a moment, then release it.
Tense & Release - Muscle Relaxation
- Start at the feet, gently squeeze the muscles in the feet by tightening them, then slowly releasing.
- Next, squeeze the large muscles in the calves for 5 seconds, then gently release. Working your way up the body, squeeze the thigh muscles for 5 seconds then gently release.
- Continue moving up the body for more relaxation.
Take a Walk
- Go outside for a walk, try picking up a small rock or touching a plant or flower.
- Notice the bugs or the birds. Take a moment to get close to the ground and touch it.
- Walk mindfully paying close attention to everything. Make sure you walk in silence because you want to notice all those little details.
What is Mindfulness?
Resources Available
Coronavirus BrainPOP Video
https://www.brainpop.com/health/diseasesinjuriesandconditions/coronavirus/
Scholastic Learn at Home Library card NEEDED
http://teacher.scholastic.com/education/
SAPL Online Homework Help
https://www.mysapl.org/Services/Research-Databases/Educational-Services-Programs
Food Bank Coronavirus Preparedness & Prevention Campaign
KSAT Article: How to Calm Kids' Fears About Coronavirus
https://www.ksat.com/news/local/2020/03/09/how-to-calm-kids-fears-about-coronavirus/
Childmind: Talking to Kids about Coronavirus
https://childmind.org/article/talking-to-kids-about-the-coronavirus/
Six mindfulness Activities -- Pocketmindfulness.com (Not available in Spanish)
How You and Your Kids Can Destress During Coronavirus -- Pbs.org
Phone Apps to Help with Mental Health (All Ages): http://bit.ly/2TUFNyK -- Phone apps to help with mental health wellness; Aplicaciones telefónicas en inglés para ayudar con el bienestar de la salud mental para todas las edades.
UPDATES: More to come...
SWISD Counseling Department
Email: lgonzalez@swisd.net
Website: https://sites.google.com/swisd.net/guidance/home
Location: 11914 Dragon Lane, San Antonio, TX, USA
Phone: 210-622-4335
Twitter: @swisd_counselor