Of Interest to Caregivers

Food Security

Harvest Manitoba--Food Bank Network https://www.harvestmanitoba.ca/need-food/

In Winnipeg:

204-982-3671 – New to Harvest/ email: appointments@harvestmanitoba.ca

204-982-3660 – Returning Clients/ email: appointments@harvestmanitoba.ca

WSD Links

WSD Code of Conduct
WSD Responsible Use of Technology

WSD Mobile Devices at School 

WSD Policies

WSD Student-Centred Services

More on Youth Digital Well-Being:
Common Sense Media

Media Smarts

Kids-In-Mind

The Importance of Healthy Caregiver Attachments

Hold On To Your Kids / Power to Parent / Neufeld Institute

Book: "Hold On To Your Kids" by Dr. Gordon Neufeld & Dr. Gabor Maté

Website: https://neufeldinstitute.org/

Blog: https://neufeldinstitute.org/blog/

Pandemic related Neufeld Institute resources: https://neufeldinstitute.org/resources-related-to-the-pandemic/

You can also search Dr. Gordon Neufeld/Dr. Gabor Maté on Youtube. 

After School Restraint Collapse

After School Restraint Collapse https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatoon/after-school-meltdowns-what-causes-them-and-how-parents-can-help-1.5741773

This is very often a sign of Neuro-Divergence (ASD, ADHD, Sensory Processing Disorder, etc) in our students. 

https://neuroqueer.com/neurodiversity-terms-and-definitions/

After School Restraint Collapse may be a result of masking all day long—No, I’m not talking about a literal, Covid mask—Masking means camouflaging behaviour traits and using a lot of energy and brain space, working hard to appear calm on the outside, while the nervous system is not actually calm on the inside. Neuro-Divergent kids who mask/camouflage may be at greater risk for mental health issues over time. Much of the literature makes this gender-specific in describing “female” traits, but students across the gender spectrum, may experience the negative mental health effects of masking their sensory overwhelm and executive functioning issues. If you'd like to learn more about masking, the following articles are ASD and female-centric, but they have good information: https://www.tiimoapp.com/blog/art-of-masking-women-with-autism/

https://www.spectrumnews.org/features/deep-dive/costs-camouflaging-autism/

The OT Toolbox
OT Toolbox blog has some great ideas for supporting various needs (sensory processing, sensory-motor) https://www.theottoolbox.com/

Therapeutic Activities for Moving Big Emotions

-tear-&-paste collage

-plastiscene or playdough (smash & form & smash again as needed)

-block play (build & break) 

-Jenga

-scribble art (thick crayons are good for anger) 

-home made masks & puppets (externalize the big feelings by creating a character) 

-popping bubble wrap

-punching bag/matress/pillow/body pillow/beanbag chair (large pet pillows are great for this)

-bouncing/dancing/hip hop/taking shots on a net (any exercise, really)

-loud music/playing an instrument such as electric guitar or drumming 

Bucket Taiko is great: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2GrWaX87keY

Here is an instruction sheet for a home-made garbage can taiko drum: http://artsandsciences.sc.edu/cege/aboutscga/gaw/GomiDaikoActivity.pdf 

or one from a tire: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HONee87ZaY0

-forts or body socks are great for kids that need touch, but who may interpret touch as painful when upset.
Body Sock tutorial: http://www.activeplaytherapies.com/diy-body-sock-tutorial/

Community Facebook Groups

Luxton Residents' Association: https://www.facebook.com/LuxtonResidentsAssociation

Ecole Luxton School Parent Advisory Council: https://www.ecole-luxton-pac.com/

https://www.facebook.com/ecoleluxtonschoolpac

Luxton PAC email: luxton.pac@gmail.com

Scotia Heights Neighbourhood Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1667186826913099

West Kildonan / Scotia Heights Your Neighbourhood, Your Priorities: https://www.facebook.com/groups/153239605140276