Dear Parents,

It is completely normal for children (and adults!) to feel some anxiety due to the current situation regarding COVID-19. Please see the attached resource for guidance on how to assist children in coping with worries, specifically as they relate to this new virus. It is very important to remember that children look to adults for guidance on how to react to stressful events. If parents seem overly worried, children’s anxiety may rise. Parents should reassure children that both health and school officials are working hard to ensure that people throughout the country stay healthy. Talking with children about their fears, teaching positive preventive measures, and giving them a sense of control over their risk of infection can also help reduce anxiety.

As a School Counselor, I typically provide 45 minute social-emotional lessons to each classroom (Pk4-7th) once a month. I have created a “Social-Emotional Menu” in order to continue to promote social-emotional growth during this time of home-learning. The choice menu and all corresponding activity pages are attached to this file. Students should choose at least one activity from each row to complete for March. Though I do not give letter or participation grades, I encourage all families to use these activities as a resource for practicing important life skills such as: exploring feelings, practicing mindfulness, calming worries, and displaying resiliency when faced with stressful situations. The “My Daily Routine” option may be exceptionally helpful as routines provide consistency which can ease the “unknown” or anxiety that students may currently be experiencing. I encourage you to work with your child(ren) to develop a routine to help them create a balanced plan between learning, playing, and resting.

I want you to know that even though our school building is not open, I am here to support your student during this time. In non-emergency situations students and parents/guardians may reach out to me via email (bbarrios@olphbc.org). In emergency situations, please call 911 or go to your nearest hospital/emergency room. I wish all of our students and their families peace of mind at this time of uncertainty. Please let me know if I can assist your family in any way. Best, Brianna Barrios OLPH School Counselor

Guidance Menu

Plan your Daily Routine Start a New Habit(and Track It!)

Watch Color Your WorldWith Kindness & Complete a

Random Act of Kindness

Watch "What is a WorryWarrior?"

Color a Zen Doodle/Mandala

Practice Guided Imagery with a Parent or Sibling

Roll and Respond Activity What's Poppin' FeelingsTracker

Write a Letter to a Friend orFamily Member

Try a Calming App(i.e. Calm, Mind Yeti)

Try a Grounding Exercise

I am the Pot of Gold

OUR DAILY routineTime Activity

© 2020 Counselor Keri

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© 2019 Counselor Keri

What’s Poppin’?

Happy

Sad

Angry

Scared

Annoyed

Bored

Worried

Confused

Silly

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_______Throughout the day, notice how you’re feeling each

hour. Color the gumballs to show your emotions

throughout each day. At the end of the week, look

for patterns! What POPS out at you?