Important Notes:
*Keep in mind these could be triggering questions for many students
*If student self-reports lower than a 5 on a sliding scale question, possible counselor referral needed
*If student has a difficult time (beyond appropriate shyness) answering many of these vulnerable questions, a possible counseling referral may be needed
*If a student shares any yellow or red flags with you let them know that you WILL touch base with the school counselor, but they can choose if they want to proceed with the counselor
Yellow Flags to watch for:
Webcam off (if abnormal for this particular student)
Disgruntled
Change in personality
A Shift in energy: i.e. more talkative than normal, quiet, reserved, withdrawn
Disheveled dress
Change in location
inappropriate noise in the background
Distracted
Can you see physical markings? Do they have puffy eyes, bruising, other markings? Maybe they have been crying a lot etc.
Loud noises/yelling in the background
Reasons behind potential Yellow Flags/Non-Verbal Communication Questions
Maybe this student has their camera off because they are embarrassed of their home environment i.e., their room, their family, their siblings…
Maybe you notice this student’s location has changed, things could be really stressful for this student’s family, maybe someone lost their job, maybe they need to help other family members, watch younger siblings/extended children who are doing virtual learning themselves…
They may have to work odd or long hours and don’t have time to turn in credits
Family stress, parents may have lost their job, parents may have taken on other jobs
Family conflict at home
Increase domestic violence
Increase in child abuse (harder to assess now that we don’t see them in person)
Having to move home location to do pandemic
Lack of food
Isolation
Family illness (potentially because of Covid)
Change or relationship status (with friend/social group/significant other)
Loss of pet (potentially due to Covid)
Loss of outside services/contacts
Experiencing loss of support related to social emotional (gender, social justice, mental health, health)
Students could be taking on more responsibility than before