The Riebli Record- Special Edition
John B. Riebli Elementary Newsletter--November 13, 2018
We are open Wednesday, November 14- Mark West Union School District
School Closure Update - Mark West Union School District
MWUSD Community: Thank you for your patience during the recent school closures related to the fires in the Paradise area. Our thoughts go out to those affected directly and indirectly by the fires.
- Short Version -
For planning purposes, all schools are anticipated to be open tomorrow, Wednesday, November 14th, and for the rest of the week. All Sonoma County School Districts will do a review of Air Quality Index (AQI) readings early Wednesday morning. Families will be notified after 5 a.m. if AQI is 275 or higher and school is closed.
Using the Sonoma County Office of Education Air Quality Chart, school districts will limit school activities appropriately. Sonoma County Office of Education has prepared an air quality document. Click here to see it. We will be using purpleeair.com to measure air quality.
- Long Version -
This morning, the Sonoma County Superintendent of Schools, Steve Herrington, held a meeting with all 40 Sonoma County School Districts and the County Department of Health Officials. Based on the recent air quality readings throughout Sonoma County, the Sonoma County Department of Health is recommending that all schools remain open tomorrow, Wednesday, November 14th.
Sonoma County Office of Education has prepared an air quality document. Click here to see it.
There are a number of issues taken into consideration when determining the best place for children to reside during poor air quality conditions. The school district’s infrastructure and ventilation systems are designed to be more robust than most standard residential units. Our school ventilation systems receive regular maintenance and use high-quality air filters that are replaced more frequently than in most residential buildings. Moreover, trained staff are available to supervise and monitor student health and respond if necessary. Also, all Riebli classroom teachers were told to leave their filters on since Thursday afternoon.
Another important consideration is the safety of our students when they are not in school. Given family work schedules, some students may be unsupervised during emergency closures.
All Sonoma County school districts will do a review of Air Quality Index (AQI) readings early Wednesday morning from a number of governmental and weather websites. During the school day, staff will be advised to follow the guidance from the county air quality chart and limit outdoor activities.
Talking to Children About Violence: Tips for Parents and Teachers
High profile acts of violence, particularly in schools, can confuse and frighten children who may feel in danger or worry that their friends or loved-ones are at risk. They will look to adults for information and guidance on how to react. Parents and school personnel can help children feel safe by establishing a sense of normalcy and security and talking with them about their fears.
1. Reassure children that they are safe. Emphasize that schools are very safe. Validate
their feelings. Explain that all feelings are okay when a tragedy occurs. Let children talk about their feelings, help put them into perspective, and assist them in expressing these feelings appropriately.
2. Make time to talk. Let their questions be your guide as to how much information to
provide. Be patient; children and youth do not always talk about their feelings readily. Watch for clues that they may want to talk, such as hovering around while you do the dishes or yard work. Some children prefer writing, playing music, or doing an art project as an outlet. Young children may need concrete activities (such as drawing, looking at picture books, or imaginative play) to help them identify and express their feelings.
3. Keep your explanations developmentally appropriate.
• Early elementary school children need brief, simple information that should be balanced with reassurances that their school and homes are safe and that adults are there to protect them. Give simple examples of school safety like reminding children about exterior doors being locked, child monitoring efforts on the playground, and emergency drills practiced during the school day.
• Upper elementary and early middle school children will be more vocal in asking questions about whether they truly are safe and what is being done at their school. They may need assistance separating reality from fantasy. Discuss efforts of school and community leaders to provide safe schools.
• Upper middle school and high school students will have strong and varying opinions about the causes of violence in schools and society. They will share concrete suggestions about how to make school safer and how to prevent tragedies in society. Emphasize the role that students have in maintaining safe schools by following school safety guidelines (e.g. not providing building access to strangers, reporting strangers on campus, reporting threats to the school safety made by students or community members, etc.), communicating any personal safety concerns to school administrators, and accessing support for emotional needs.
4. Review safety procedures. This should include procedures and safeguards at school and
at home. Help children identify at least one adult at school and in the community to whom they go if they feel threatened or at risk.
5. Observe children’s emotional state. Some children may not express their concerns
verbally. Changes in behavior, appetite, and sleep patterns can also indicate a child’s level of anxiety or discomfort. In most children, these symptoms will ease with reassurance and time. However, some children may be at risk for more intense reactions. Children who have had a past traumatic experience or personal loss, suffer from depression or other mental illness, or with special needs may be at greater risk for severe reactions than others. Seek the help of mental health professional if you are at all concerned.
6. Limit television viewing of these events. Limit television viewing and be aware if the television is on in common areas. Developmentally inappropriate information can cause anxiety or confusion, particularly in young children. Adults also need to be mindful of the content of conversations that they have with each other in front of children, even teenagers, and limit their exposure to vengeful, hateful, and angry comments that might be misunderstood.
7. Maintain a normal routine. Keeping to a regular schedule can be reassuring and
promote physical health. Ensure that children get plenty of sleep, regular meals, and exercise. Encourage them to keep up with their schoolwork and extracurricular activities but don’t push them if they seem overwhelmed.
Suggested Points to Emphasize When Talking to Children
• Schools are safe places. School staff works with parents and public safety providers (local police and fire departments, emergency responders, hospitals, etc.) to keep you safe.
• The school building is safe because ... (cite specific school procedures).
• We all play a role in the school safety. Be observant and let an adult know if you see or hear something that makes you feel uncomfortable, nervous or frightened.
• There is a difference between reporting, tattling or gossiping. You can provide important information that may prevent harm either directly or anonymously by telling a trusted adult what you know or hear.
• Although there is no absolute guarantee that something bad will never happen, it is important to understand the difference between the possibility of something happening and probability that it will affect you (our school community).
• Senseless violence is hard for everyone to understand. Doing things that you enjoy, sticking to your normal routine, and being with friends and family help make us feel better and keep us from worrying about the event.
• Sometimes people do bad things that hurt others. They may be unable to handle their anger, under the influence of drugs or alcohol, or suffering from mental illness. Adults (parents, teachers, police officers, doctors, faith leaders) work very hard to get those people help and keep them from hurting others. It is important for all of us to know how to get help if we feel really upset or angry and to stay away from drugs and alcohol.
• Stay away from guns and other weapons. Tell an adult if you know someone has a gun. Access to guns is one of the leading risk factors for deadly violence.
• Violence is never a solution to personal problems. Students can be part of the positive solution by participating in anti-violence programs at school, learning conflict mediation skills, and seeking help from an adult if they or a peer is struggling with anger, depression, or other emotions they cannot control.
NASP has additional information for parents and educators on school safety, violence prevention, children’s trauma reactions, and crisis response at www.nasponline.org.
©2016, National Association of School Psychologists, 4340 East West Highway #402, Bethesda, MD 20814
Mark West Middle School Charter information night
It's never too early to start thinking about your options for middle school. Mark West Charter is holding last information night for parents and students interested in learning more about our program.
Please join us for our hour long information session to learn about our program as well as meet the Vice Principal, teachers, and parents.
(Mark West Elementary Campus South of the Multi-purpose Room)
November 14th at 5:30pm in room C3
Applications are available in the MWCS office and online (www.mwcharter.org)
Please call the Mark West Charter School office at 707-524-2741 with any questions.