Let us begin by saying how much we are looking forward to connecting with you. The next few weeks will not be easy. There will be mistakes, problems, and concerns along the way. However, there will also be successes, hope, laughter and purpose! We understand many of you are still working and have several children to help, financial concerns, health issues, etc. We are here to support our students and you throughout this challenging time.
This week we are planning how to move forward and need some input from you as to how this will work best for everyone. We have included a link to a Google form with a number of questions for you. Just click THIS LINK and it will open the form. Please fill in the form, by Friday at the latest, so we can prepare for the continuation of your child’s education at home.
Children need structure. We would strongly recommend that parents make sure that there’s a schedule for the day — that can include time where a child can get on their tablet and connect with their friends, but it also should have technology-free time and time set aside to help around the house. Children perform better with a routine. It will be a great relief to them to have a sense of a predictable day and an idea of when they’re supposed to be working and when they get to play.
Let them feel their emotions. Support, expect and normalize that they are very sad and very frustrated about the losses they are experiencing. When it comes to processing difficult emotions, take your cues from your child and balance talking about feelings with finding distractions. Organize distractions such as a family game night or cooking together when they need relief from feeling very upset. Try to get outdoors as often as possible.
At the end of all of this, your child’s mental health will be more important than anything academic. How they felt during this time will stay with them longer than anything else they do in the next few weeks. Talk with them. Be calm and proactive. Give them things they can do to be in control - wash hands, social distancing, etc.
We will be contacting you via email and blog posts soon to begin offering you curriculum activities your child can do at home. Please don’t hesitate to contact us with any questions you may have and we will do our best to answer them.
Be well. Be safe.
Mrs. Bowden & Mrs. Farber
P.S. Complete the form at THIS LINK by Friday at the latest Thanks!
* If the LINK does not work, copy and paste this directly into the browser address bar: https://forms.gle/aRtPMRq2gpXUeTP29