Parent Support For Transition

Books to help students transition between grades/schools.

School Transitions

Your child may feel anxious about this transition, making friends and meeting new teachers. Be supportive and affirm your child that he/she will adjust and thrive at secondary school. Let them know it is normal to feel anxious about transitions. (transition is a change from one thing to another in this case primary to secondary school) Tell your child that you are proud of him/her and urge them to do their best. Encourage them to take deep breaths when feeling anxious or overwhelmed.

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Furthermore the pandemic has brought on challenges to all of us. For parents it includes &gt; Supervising children as they learn virtually. Parents are now asked to be full time supervisor, spouse, chef, nurse, therapist &gt; Trying to cope with the stress that a deadly virus has inflicted upon our nation and world &gt; There is anxiety revolved around staying safe and some have even lost loved ones to Covid &gt; Jobs and income have been lost by many

Parents Remember... Be Patient Adjusting to secondary school within the new normal may be challenging for your child. Efficiency with online learning and meeting the demands of secondary school may take some time, give him/her support in adapting to this change. Ask For Help Seek support when needed, if you need additional support for your child, reach out to their teachers, Guidance Officer or School Social Worker. Your Child's Mental Health This is your responsibility as a parent to manage. To be the stability they need and a buffer from the anxieties in this world. Keep in mind that it’s about the child, not the work.

ENCOURAGE OPEN COMMUNICATION WITH YOUR CHILD

Talk to your child about school. Vary your questions. E.g. ask what was the most interesting: the most surprising or the most difficult thing learned. Follow the School’s and Ministry’s social media pages. Talk to them about non-school related subjects. Let them tell you about their interests, feel free to also share your interests

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STAY INFORMED Ensure that you are updated on the Ministry of Education’s decisions and resources along with any correspondence from the school. It is important to receive accurate and timely information regarding your child’s education. Being informed not only helps to ease your anxiety but also you child’s. Ensure your email address is on the school’s mailing list. Ensure your number is added to any school or class chat groups Follow the School’s and Ministry’s social media pages

Tap into your resources and support systems. As parents we know it can be quite difficult to manage all the changes in our new education system. Talk to other parents about their own experiences, challenges and successes. Seek support from friends, family members &amp; other parents. Don’t go through this transition alone. Use all community resources available.

But first a little about me... The Role of The Guidance Officer ~ The Guidance Officer presents information on a variety of topics that can assist your child straight into adulthood. Topics are done on how to study better, improve grades, improve personal relationships, or be a more productive citizen and responsible member of the human race. These are just a few of the examples of what I do in Guidance.

Supporting Your Child’s Education During a Pandemic

Some Important take away points from video We are ALL going through some form of stress. You may feel lonely. Stress affects us all but we respond differently. Notice what you are feeling and name them. When you can name your feelings they have a little less power over you. There are negative ways to cope with stress that can make it all harder e.g ~ using drugs, sleeping too little or too much, locking away yourself from people.

Self Care For Children may look like... Employ Calming Strategies For students who may face difficulty managing hybrid learning or even returning to school, discuss the possible factors which may affect their learning such as the fear of failure, parental or teacher expectations, socialization, lack of information and uncertainty. Work together to devise healthy coping mechanisms they can employ when overwhelmed and in distress. Many may discover their most helpful tools by trial and error. Here are some ideas children can attempt ~ 1)Meditation 2)Mindfulness 3)Journalling 4)Breathing exercises 5)Listening to music 6)Engaging in creative activity such as drawing, painting, sewing and arts and craft, etc.

The 'New Normal' The pandemic spread of COVID-19, has significantly disrupted every aspect of human life, including EDUCATION. Schools were closed around the globe leaving educators to find innovative ways to continue with teaching and learning. Innovative technologies, which have been termed virtual or online school were implemented in order to provide at least some form of educational continuity.

Parents remember ~ Self care is an act of self love. A healthier you is a healthier and happier family. ~ You are not alone in the pressures, stress and anxiety you feel right now. ~ If you need reminders of the fact that you are a worthy human being, or you need reassurance, or assistance, reach out to a trusted person.

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These pressures have brought on physical, emotional, and mental exhaustion to many parents. It is critical that we all start taking an active role in caring for ourselves.

FOSTER HOME/SCHOOL RELATIONS

Maintain positive communication with your child’s teachers and school Administration Get to know your child’s Dean, Form and Subject teachers. Communicate with them frequently concerning your child’s behavior and academic progress. Be aware of what the expectations are for your child and reach out as questions or concerns arise. Inform teachers about challenges your child may be experiencing. Don’t forget to share successes as well!

Thanks, and remember you are all worthy of Love, Respect and Kindness whether you are living through a pandemic or not! Stay safe and practice that self care! Mr. Ali

Coping With Stress & Caring for Mental Health During COVID-19

How can parents support? Now more than ever your children need you as they transition both to secondary school and to remote learning. It is therefore critical that you support your child and help him/her transition to secondary school.

GIVE YOUR CHILD ANY NECESSARY EQUIPMENT

Try to ensure your child has what he/she needs: doesn’t need to be the most expensive, just basic tools to help them to be organised and ready to work.  REMOTE LEARNING Ideally provide a space for learning with minimal distraction It’s important that your child’s device for e-learning is ready for engagement. Download necessary Aps Ensure the device is fully charged

5. Restricted students’ learning experiences (E.g, Laboratory experiments - practical sessions non-existent) 6. Poor Internet service 7. Depleted the financial resources of parents 8. Depression, stress, and anxiety

Impact of school closures on children 1. Limited interaction with teacher 2. Limited interaction and socialization between and among students. 3. Lack of mastery of technology 4. Unsuitable Learning Environment – E.g. distractions at home &amp; limitations in learning space and facilities.

MODEL HARD WORK AND PERSISTENCE

Parents, your children model your behaviour. Maintain a positive and willing attitude, supporting them as they adjust to secondary school and online learning. Help your child in developing skills in time management and learning that its independent and self-directed Encourage your child to implement an effective plan of study and to manage their time wisely. Help your child think about career goals and how these skills assist in attaining these goals

Strategies From Video You are not alone in experiencing these overwhelming feelings. Talk to a close friend, family member or counsellor. Spend time with your loved ones. Get news from reliable sources and even limit your time on watching news. Eat healthy and/or exercise. Remember we all have different ways of coping so choose a healthy one that works for YOU! If there is violence in your home or you are thinking about hurting someone get help!

What could self care look like for you...

1. First of all know that the burnout you feel is not just you alone. Many parents throughout the world are experiencing a very hard time right now. 2. Set boundaries daily and make time for things you enjoy example 30 minutes of exercise, or watching your favorite tv show or resume a hobby you once did. Listening to your favorite music can also lift your mood. 3. Stop interacting with energy vampires. Example Don't watch the news on certain days of the week but do something in that time that's enjoyable. Also lessen up on interacting with people who are mainly pessimistic or negative in their outlook on life. 4. Do virtual limes on zoom with your family and friends. 5. Seek out social support from friends, family even a therapist who you can vent to or find support from.

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