We recognize that COVID-19 and Remote Learning has turned parents into educators in a way that you could not have ever anticipated. As always, we’re here to support you throughout this process. Today we’d like to share a few strategies for success during Remote Learning.
Our Counseling Team has regularly provided updates to parents and staff during our extended school closure, but in this edition of our Pillar in Action Newsletter we've consolidated a variety of resources to support you over the remaining week of Remote Learning and into the summer months.
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Working & Teaching From Home
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We still have a few weeks of Remote Learning weeks ahead of us; if you haven’t already done so, we encourage you to establish and adhere to a weekly family schedule that works for you.
Remote Learning activities have been scheduled to fill the duration of half a traditional school day. What works for each family (and sometimes for each child) will be different. Map out your family’s strategy and stick to the schedule. Some things to consider include, do you have early risers, late sleepers? Are they more willing to sit down and work after a brief period of exercise? Do they want to dive right into their work so that they can have the afternoon off? What works for each family (and sometimes for each child) will be different. Map out your family’s strategy and stick to the schedule.
- Set daily routines of when they will attend to schoolwork
- Create a distraction free, designated location for your child to work
- Maintain consistent bedtimes so that your students are fresh and ready to start the day each morning
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Working From Home With Kids? 12 Practical Strategies...
Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. All opinions remain my own. Inside: New to working from home with kids?
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kidseatincolor.com
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Strategies for Mental Well-Being in the Home Office
Most of my working life was spent at jobs in factories, in classrooms, behind a bar, and in offices. Being a freelance photographer means that I began spending a lot of time working from home. Now, given recent events, I'm spending all of my time ...
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fstoppers.com
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Service to the Home - Age Appropriate Chores
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At this time, parents are taking on extra roles and responsibilities, trying to balance work and home, while also navigating how to secure groceries and other home based supplies in this new environment.
We strongly encourage having your children substitute their “service to school” with “service to the home”. Please find a link with some ideas as to how your children can help out around the house, this list is broken out by age level and has been provided by the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.
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Prioritize Your Own Self Care
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No matter how busy your schedule, it is incredibly important to make time for your own physical and emotional health. Each day, we set an example for our children with respect to how we can persevere in the face of challenge.
There are a number of free resources for meditation and yoga. In particular our counseling team has recommended the following:
If you’re interested in supporting local vendors at the time, please look into virtual classes at the YMCA
here
, USMMA offers yoga and meditation
here
.
You can also use music to set the mood and create a mindful, calm atmosphere. Check out this playlist on Spotify of the
Top 50 Most Relaxing Songs
.
The following video features a "progressive relaxation" designed help you release tension. This is a 15 minute calming exercise.
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Protecting your Child's Emotional Health
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"
Amidst the COVID-19 outbreak, everyday life has changed and will continue to change for most people in the United States, often with little notice. Children may struggle with significant adjustments to their routines (e.g.,
schools and child care closures
,
social distancing
, home confinement), which may interfere with their sense of
structure, predictability, and security
. Young people—even infants and toddlers—are keen observers of people and environments, and they notice and react to stress in their parents and other caregivers, peers, and community members. They may ask direct questions about what is happening now or what will happen in the future and may behave differently in reaction to strong feelings (e.g., fear, worry, sadness, anger) about the pandemic and related conditions. Children also may worry about their own safety and the safety of their loved ones, how they will get their basic needs met (e.g., food, shelter, clothing), and uncertainties for the future." (Bartlett, Jessica Dimm, et al. “Resources for Supporting Children's Emotional Well-Being during the COVID-19 Pandemic.”
Child Trends)
In the article linked below Child Trends and the Child Trauma Training Center at the University of Massachusetts has a variety of strategies and resources to to help you support your child's mental health during the pandemic.
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Spending time thinking about what you are thankful for has rewards and benefits to one's well being, including improving mood. Dr. Fleiger invites us to participate in #thankfulthursday and complete this Scavenger Hunt. Why not set a
#thankfulThursday
family ritual where everyone shares one or two things they are thankful for at dinner.
Gratitude is a related character trait to our virtue of
Prudence
. Here are some tips to focus on a spirit of gratitude with your family:
- Stop and notice the things that are good in your life
- Tell others that you appreciate the things that they do for you. It fills their bucket and fills your bucket, too.
- Journal three things you are thankful for each day (your journal does not have to be fancy)
You can find even more gratitude activities by checking out this post on
Big Life Journal
which features free downloads.
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Counseling Corner Mini-Site
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Our counseling team has built a Google Site to provide ongoing access to resources that they have identified for families.
The Counseling Corner
will be updated regularly with new information as it becomes available.
You can find links to the site from the BFCCPS Webpage, as well as the Faculty pages for Dr. Fleiger, Mrs. McCoy and Mrs. Stratton.
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If you’re overwhelmed, we are here for you. Please don’t hesitate to ask for help if you need it. We also understand that some days you might need to give your family permission to take a break and start fresh in the morning.
Our Counseling Services team has also identified the following outside free resources if you or anyone in your family needs support.
First Call for Help (United Way of Massachusetts Bay) 1-800-231-4377
First Call For Help provides information and resources to any caller who needs help but does not know where to turn. Using a database of over 3,000 up-to-date services, trained volunteer telephone counselors can locate resources for you and advocate with other agencies on your behalf. Information is available on support groups, employment, housing, fuel assistance, and many other basic family needs.
Crisis Text Line - text “HOME” to 741741 / Suicide Prevention text “CONNECT” to 741741
Crisis Text Line is free, 24/7 support for those in crisis, connecting people in crisis to trained Crisis Counselors. Our first priority is helping people move from a hot moment to a cool calm, guiding you to create a plan to stay safe and healthy. Crisis counselors offer support to address concerns about the Coronavirus, anxiety, depression, emotional abuse and more.
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Monday through Friday, 10 am–6 pm, ET. 1-800-950-NAMI (6264) or info@nami.org
The NAMI HelpLine is a free, nationwide peer-support service providing information, resource referrals and support to people living with mental health conditions, their family members and caregivers, mental health providers and the public. HelpLine staff and volunteers are experienced, well-trained and able to provide guidance.
Girls and Boys Town National Hotline 1-800-448-3000 (24 hours a day)
Callers talk to highly-trained, professional counselors who listen and give "right now" answers. They're sympathetic people who have expertise dealing with these and other problems: depression; suicide; running away; parenting problems; relationship concerns; physical, sexual, and emotional abuse; chemical dependency; mental health; anger; aggressive behavior.
Global Teletherapy
- free 30 minute Support Sessions based on age and topic. All directed toward children and focus on remaining calm and easing anxiety during this time.
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If you need this document translated please contact the Central Office.
Se você precisar deste documento traduzido, entre em contato com o Escritório Central.
यदि आपको इस दस्तावेज़ का अनुवाद करने की आवश्यकता है, तो कृपया केंद्रीय कार्यालय से संपर्क करें।
Si necesita la traducción de este documento, contacte con la Oficina Central.
మీకు ఈ పత్రం అవసరమైతే దయచేసి సెంట్రల్ ఆఫీస్ను సంప్రదించండి.
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The Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter Public School
500 Financial Park, Franklin
www.bfccps.org
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