February 10, 2022 | Issue 21 |
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The Pandemic’s Toll on the Emotional and Social Lives of our Children
After almost an exhausting two years of the Covid-19 Pandemic, we may not see the toll it has taken on our children because this process has taken place over time. However, health and education research has shown a clear negative impact on our kids. This school year the American Association of Pediatrics (AAP), the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP) and the Children’s Hospital Association all declared a national emergency in children’s mental health due to the serious toll of the COVID-19 pandemic on top of existing challenges that children face.
In the Hoover Institution’s recommendations to counter Covid learning loss, the first is, “The academic and socio-emotional needs of students should be the paramount driver of long-term recovery plans.” While I wrote a few weeks ago that Mead Hall and other independent schools have been minimally affected by Covid learning loss in comparison with America’s public schools, our students have not avoided the emotional and social impact imposed upon them by the pandemic. For some this is much greater than others and may exacerbate the struggles they already had before the pandemic.
We recognize that the emotional and social lives of our students are important for their wellbeing and also for their success in their learning. Our goals during the pandemic have been to do our best to protect our students’ health from Covid-19 and keeping them on campus while balancing these protocols with the needs of the general wellbeing of our students. We hope that these efforts have succeeded in providing the best possible situation for our children at Mead Hall. That said, we can see that the enormous adversity and disruption cited by the AAP and others has had an impact on our kids.
The Pew Trusts reports that the “The grief, anxiety and depression children have experienced during the pandemic is welling over into classrooms and hallways, resulting in crying and disruptive behavior in many younger kids and increased violence and bullying among adolescents. For many other children, who keep their sadness and fear inside, the pressures of school have become too great.” (COVID Harmed Kids’ Mental Health—And Schools Are Feeling It, by Christine Vestal)
Although our Mead Hall kids may be more sheltered from these outcomes, we are seeing issues and our families may be seeing these emotional responses at home and we as adults have experienced emotional distress as well. We do need to recognize grief, anxiety and depression in our children and help them. In the elementary grades teachers are addressing emotional and social issues within the classroom with the support of the Head of Lower School and the Director of Student Health. In grades 5-12 we have addressed individual and group issues as they arise and we are going to focus intentionally on these challenges through active workshops including the implementation of the Social Institute, a program for middle and high school. This program “empowers students to successfully manage their relationships, both in person and online.” The Social Institute is engaging and creates healthier students who are better equipped to make high-character choices. The program “encourages students to surround themselves with positive influencers, play to their core values, handle pressure, lift up others, and use technology to create positive change in the world.”
I look forward to Mead Hall making a more profound difference in the emotional and social lives of our students this year. By God’s grace may we soon move beyond the challenges of the pandemic and build up our children’s strength and resilience now and into the future.
Blessings,
Frank Sawyer
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Annual Fund Update...Here's the Latest.
We are halfway there! Over $100,000 has been received so far this school year! We are hopeful and prayerful that through the continued support of our Mead Hall community and friends that this year's Annual Fund goal of $200,000 will be achieved! We will be sharing with you soon our Annual Fund “Wishlist” which will outline some specific areas of need. The Annual Fund is essential in providing much of the gap between tuition revenue and operating costs so that Mead Hall can provide an excellent and enriching education to our students.
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Every Gift Makes a Difference.
We are very thankful for the gifts we have received and appreciate your continued support! To make an online donation, please visit Mead Hall Annual Fund or scan QR code or checks may be sent to our Business Office at 619 Barnwell Ave, NW, Aiken, SC 29801.
Thank you for giving Mead Hall the opportunity to teach and serve your children!
Each Day is a Blessing!
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Mead Hall PTO News and Events
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Chick-fil-A Lunch Day on Lower and Upper Campus - Thursday, February 17th
The PTO will be offering our last Chick-fil-A lunch day of the school year before they close very soon for renovations.
STC Families - Order Forms were sent home in student folders, please return completed forms with payment to your child's teacher
APC Families - Order Forms and collection boxes are located in the cafeteria and in Mrs. Hardy's office.
*Please Note - Order Forms must be turned in no later than Monday, Feb 14th (late forms can not be accepted) and NO food substitutions/special orders can be accommodated. Thank You!
Faculty and Staff Appreciation - February 28th - March 4th
A Sign Up Genius Link will be emailed next week - parent volunteers are needed to bring in daily breakfast items and mailbox treats for both campuses.
The PTO will be providing appreciation gifts and lunch for faculty and staff on Friday, March 4th
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The 38th Annual Strawberry Festival -
Saturday, April 23rd from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
on the Aiken Prep Campus Field Planning Meeting will be held on Thursday, Feb 24th at 9:30 a.m. - please email PTO@meadhallschool.org if you are interested in being on the planning committee.
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Flashback to the 80s Pink Carpet Event -Saturday, March 5th
Invitations have been mailed so check your mailboxes and get your best 80s prom attire ready for a fabulous night of dancing, dinner, drinks and plenty of entertainment!
(Guests must be 21 and over to attend this event)
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School Store
School Store Hours
OPEN Feb. 14th - 17th
8:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.
CLOSED Feb. 18th - 21st for Winter Break
Will resume regular weekday hours on Tuesday, Feb. 22nd
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Support Mead Hall Athletics
by becoming a Panther Club Sponsor -
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Alumni Weekend is March 18-20!
To kick things off is the Golf Tournament at 9:00 am, Aiken Golf Club on Friday, March 18th, see golfer registration above! On Saturday, join us for the Alumni Soccer Game at 9:00am on Fletcher field, Aiken Prep campus. Following the soccer game, enjoy the excitement of Aiken Trials at the Aiken Training Track and be sure to stop by our hospitality tent located at space 2/inside rails! (Tickets may be purchased at Aiken Training Track, more information at 803-648-4631 or http://www.aikentrainingtrack.com/). And to conclude the weekend on Sunday, Dr. Frank Sawyer (Head of School) will be conducting services at St. Thaddeus Episcopal Church, 9:00 am and 11:15 am.
If you plan to attend Alumni Weekend, please RSVP below. (All golf participants must also fill out the golf registration form).
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SUNDAY
Rite I Eucharist no music 7:45 AM
Rite II Eucharist with Contemporary music 9:00 AM
Rite II Eucharist with Traditional Music, choir and organ 11:15 AM
WEDNESDAY
Rite II Eucharist in the chapel 11:00 AM
We also live stream the services.
All of our services offer Communion.
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Notification Process for a suspected or confirmed case of COVID-19
Please notify the school if your child or a member of your child's household has a COVID-19 positive test result. If your child is sick and is exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19, please keep the child home and contact the school. Please see the link below for further details of what to do in the cases of Covid-19 symptoms or exposure.
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