Welcome back to school at Grand Erie District School Board! Similar to the fall, this will be a year of novel learning experiences for students, parents and teachers alike.
This newsletter has been put together to help parents and children with the return to in-person schooling. It contains ideas and helpful reminders to support a more successful transition back to school.
It's important to recognize how much children model their behaviour and self-care after their parents and caregivers. We recognize that this return may be stressful for many of you. We recognize that families may be feeling anxious around the return to school. This resource provides strategies to assist with managing anxiety. www.anxietycanada.com/
For more information on managing your child’s anxiety please see the following video: youtu.be/uqDqBkFAd68
While you think about your child's return to school, it's important that you look after your own well-being. Eat well, sleep well, stay active and do what inspires you!
Find a comfortable and relaxing space to have an open conversation with your child/children. Keep it casual. Asking only one of the suggested questions below is okay. Remember, being able to name your feelings and express your thoughts are both key ways to cope with stress and challenging situations.
In discussions with your child, consider asking these questions:
Encouraging your child to continue school routines will help ease the transition from online to in-person learning.
Review your school’s health and safety protocols for COVID. Read communications from the school regarding the return to in-person learning. Encourage your child to ask questions. If you do not know the answer, seek help from the school.
Reinforce expectations that you know the school will have for your child, and practice some of those skills at home:
Help your child create a plan for practicing self-care and coping skills. Encourage them to:
Continue to have open conversations with your child about how things are going and how they are feeling and coping. Remember:
These are tough times. Don’t expect perfection. Be kind to yourself. You don’t have to have it all figured out. You are not alone in this!
If you become concerned about your child’s mental health, it is good to seek help. Your child’s teacher or principal can help direct you to services in the school, board, or community. You may also wish to consult with your family physician or connect directly with:
Woodview Mental Health and Autism Services.
For clinic appointment call (519)752-5308 ext. 0, or text (226) 920-4427
When more immediate help is needed, the helplines below can offer help: