Day: March 5, 2020

I know LPS sent out emails about how our school district is preparing for an outbreak of Covid-19. I also know how difficult it is to listen to the radio or watch TV without something, usually something sensational, being said about the virus. I have had lots of conversations with students, individually, in small groups, and in the classroom, about the virus. Please keep those conversations going at home. When students are hearing something at school, from their friends, or on TV, but it isn’t referenced by their trusted adults, it causes them to worry even more. They often think, “It must be REALLY bad if my parent/guardian won’t even talk about it.”

Talk with your student about how we can help ourselves be healthy. Washing hands for 30 seconds is recommended. Practice that. See and feel how long 30 seconds actually is (I know I was in for a shock when I timed myself). Practice coughing into your sleeve. Work on getting lots of sleep (yes, even during spring break it’s a good idea to go to bed a bit early), drink lots of water, and try to make healthy eating choices.

It seems so appropriate that we are talking about feelings this month due to the number of big feelings our students have had lately. As we end the 3rd quarter, there seem to be more emotions connected to friendships emerging. I am happy to help, and also encourage families to ask their students how things are going at school outside of the academic piece.

Each teacher was asked to select 2-3 skills related to feelings they thought would best benefit their classrooms. Thus, each lesson is a bit different. However, all students will be getting some information about managing their emotions and empathy. Ask your student what they learned!