Resources for Students and Caregivers
I am available for drop in meetings at school, as well as Zoom appointments. Please don't hesitate to contact reach out.
ZOOM OFFICE by appointment
Please email or call to schedule a Zoom Meeting Meeting ID: 914 539 1381 Passcode: Polaris The school closure and related challenges we are all facing during the Covid-19 pandemic are unexpected and unprecedented. We are all coping with a range of emotions and elevated stress. In this time of physical distancing, social and emotional connections are more important than ever. It can be overwhelming to sort through all the resources and information about how this pandemic is affecting us - on this site, I will distill some of the information I have come across that may help as you are managing today's challenges.
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Please know, I am here to support you! If you have questions, concerns or need any help, please do not hesitate to contact me. I am available school days on campus for scheduled and drop-in meetings, 9am-3:30pm.
[email protected] , 907-742-8703 and via Zoom teleconference. |
The Compliment Plate: Each day during a meal, one family member is the recipient of compliments from the others. We use a special decorative plate, and take turns passing it to the person whose day it is to receive. Extra points for sincerity and originality.
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Taking short breaks helps your brain process and refresh. Staring at a page won't necessarily bring any new thinking... Actually, staying put when irritated can reduce motivation and make it more difficult to learn. Not sure what to do? Try one of these brain breaks!
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Guidelines for Parents and Caregivers from the Collaborative for Academic, Social and Emotional Learning
- Pay close attention to your own feelings of stress or anxiety.Practice continued self-care strategies, including eating healthy, getting enough sleep, exercising, and finding time to take breaks. If you find yourself overwhelmed by negative thoughts, find ways to reframe your thinking. Seek out needed mental health support for yourself or loved ones.
- Acknowledge and support children in processing their full range of emotions and concerns, while offering calm and reassurance. Consider how children will react at different ages and identify appropriate ways to respond. Find ways for children to express their feelings through conversation, music, art, dance, writing, or other activities. Tune into how they’re feeling throughout the day, and offer quiet time or breaks as needed.
- Provide age-appropriate information and accurate answers about the news while limiting excessive television or social media. Help children assess facts from misinformation and stereotyping related to the disease.
- Share with children what you’re doing to keep them safe. Help children learn about and practice proactive strategies, such as frequent handwashing, to stay healthy. In addition to promoting healthy practices, this can help them feel a greater sense of control.
- Whenever possible, provide consistency in daily routines including meals and bedtimes. While school closures or changes in schedules may be inevitable, consistent routines can help foster a sense of safety.
- Practice patience when routines are necessarily disrupted, which can lead to potential behavior issues or meltdowns. Try to comfort children while setting boundaries. This is also an opportunity to create new schedules and routines that promote family time and healthy practices, such as taking a morning walk together, creating a “coping kit”, or adding favorite family songs to handwashing routines.
- Help children and adolescents think of creative ways to maintain their friendships and social connections. This may include writing emails or letters to friends, or scheduling time to use the phone or age-appropriate technology to communicate with peers. Remember that your own social connections are important as well, and make time to reach out by phone or virtually to family and friends.
- Come up with fun alternatives to show signs of affection while minimizing the spread of germs. For example, elbow bumps or footshakes.
- Proactively reach out to schools and community organizations to support you in meeting any additional needs your family may have, such as access to meals or support services.
COVID-19 Resources
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Talking with Children: Tips for Caregivers, Parents and Teachers: Information and guidance from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Tips and helpful resources for children of various age groups. "When children and youth watch news on TV about an infectious disease outbreak, read about it in the news, or overhear others discussing it, they can feel scared, confused, or anxious—as much as adults. This is true even if they live far from where the outbreak is taking place and are at little to no actual risk of getting sick. Young people react to anxiety and stress differently than adults. Some may react right away; others may show signs that they are having a difficult time much later. As such, adults do not always know when a child needs help. This tip sheet will help parents, caregivers, and teachers learn some common reactions, respond in a helpful way, and know when to seek support." |