May 2020 Instructional Update
On this page, you will find resources complied to help promote Social Emotional Learning at home. There are various crafts, worksheets, games and even movie ideas to help not only pass the time but help teach important lessons! During this trying time, it is important to know the community is here to support everyone. The resource links provided are aimed to help our families in various areas they made need.
I am available every school day (Monday-Friday) from 9AM-2PM to assist in any way that I can.
Social Emotional Activities
Self-Care:
Self care is an extremely important concept to take on when confusion and conflict arise. The following self care ideas can be made using household items and are excellent projects to do with the family!
Creating a self care plan can help organize your thoughts as well as ways to clearly see ways to help take care of yourself.
A mindmap is creative and virtual tool to help you spark creativity, define goals, and renew a sense of purpose
Coping Skills:
There are many resources and tips of coping skills that can be used. During times of uncertainty, anxiety and stress may be more present than ever. Using coping skills can help calm and settle nerves to be able to manage what is going on around them.
A “brain dump” is an organizational tool to help organize thoughts and help make a to-do list to stay productive!
Growth Mindset:
Growth mindset is the practice to take negative thoughts or ideas and change the way you think to think in more positive and helpful ways. Growth mindset can help individuals tackle challenging moments and make positive decisions and outcomes.
Mindfulness:
Mindfulness is an important therapeutic technique that help brings breathing and calming skills together to help settle and calm an individual
Board Games and Activities to use for Social Emotional Learning:
Using games and coloring sheets that can be printed at home can help connect families by using social-emotional focused activities to help pass the time!
Helpful links:
Meditation and the Coronavirus:
https://www.tenpercent.com/meditationweeklyblog/meditation-and-coronavirus
Tips for Being Home With Children Who Have Special Needs in the Time of COVID-19/Coronavirus:
Helping Kids Who Are Worried About Coronavirus:
https://www.counselorkeri.com/2020/03/14/talk-to-kids-about-coronavirus/
Local Resources
At this time, meals will be available for ALL students Monday through Friday between 11am – 1pm at West Islip High School ONLY.
Meals will be individually bagged and provided as a “grab-and-go.” If driving, please remain in your car at all times unless otherwise instructed to help ensure appropriate social distancing. Lunch and a breakfast (for the following day) will be provided. All children districtwide (aged 18 years old and younger) are eligible.
Additionally, if you are a household that is eligible for free/reduced-price meals and are unable to pick up daily meals for your student(s), contact Christine Kearny (c.kearney@wi.k12.ny.us) at the Food Service Office.
Additional Local Resources List
Rachel Bernstein, a 2017 graduate, has organized a community service not-for profit business, "Be the Sunshine". She is providing meals to families of West Islip. She is trying to provide night and weekend meals (operating opposite the district food service). She is also dropping off meals for families that can not make it to the high school. She has provided 30 days of meals already. She wants to help more. She is able to support the whole district.
Below is the link to the Google Form she has been using to gather information about the WI families needs:
Additional Resources:
NASP Health Crisis Resources :
Talking with children about Coronavirus Disease 2019: Messages for parents, school staff, and others working with children:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/schools-childcare/talking-with-children.html
If you have fallen upon hard times and could use some additional resources and support, please email me at E.harris@wi.k12.ny.us
