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Student Support Services

 

Q: How do I talk to my child about COVID-19?

A: Remain calm and model for your child calm and rational responses. Find out what they already know, correct misinformation, assure them of the precautionary measures that are being taken to keep them safe, and how they can play a role in their own safety and the safety of others. Reinforce their coping skills to manage their emotions.

Make yourself available. Listen to their concerns.

Monitor television viewing and social media. Be aware that developmentally inappropriate information (i.e., information designed for adults) can cause anxiety or confusion. Remind older children that many stories on the internet may be based on rumors or inaccurate information. Try to focus on information from current, valid sources like the CDC.

These are useful resources on how to speak to your child about this sensitive topic.

1. In English: https://childmind.org/article/talking-to-kids-about-the-coronavirus/

2. In Spanish: https://childmind.org/article/como-hablar-con-los-ninos-sobre-el-coronavirus/

 

? Simple explanation of COVID-19 for our younger students:

https://660919d3-b85b-43c3-a3ad-3de6a9d37099.filesusr.com/ugd/64c685_319c5acf38d34604b537ac9fae37fc80.pdf

 

? Here are some basic tips for managing your child’s worries:

https://childmind.org/article/what-to-do-and-not-do-when-children-are-anxious/

 

Q: How can I help my child adjust to being home and isolated from friends?

A: Establish and maintain a “new normal” schedule. Build in regular times for schoolwork, exercise, and family time.

? Here is a resource for printable visual schedules:

https://adayinourshoes.com/free-printable-visual-schedules-for-home-and-daily-routines/

 

Maintain routines regarding self-care and hygiene. That is, even though they may not be going anywhere, routines regarding chores, showering, etc. are helpful to children (and adults, too!)

Exercise is a proven mood enhancer. Go outside in your yard, dance, throw a ball, jump rope, walk the dog.

 

Q: My child has difficulty socializing. What can we do to keep him/her social during social distancing?

A: During the pandemic, it is important to keep a schedule for your child and understand that they may feel disconnected from their peers. Although play dates and social gatherings are off limits (unless you can maintain 6 feet distance between all participants at all times), make socialization part of the schedule, just as you do for academics. Below are some suggestions to encourage your child to socialize during social distancing:

1. Go for a bike ride, hike or a run, keeping a 6 foot distance. This allows for socialization while following health guidelines.

2. Encourage your child to do face to face contact via FaceTime, or another platform that allows your child to see the other person. Observe the interaction. Provide feedback on what you saw. Role play the conversation after providing feedback.

3. Do a bake- off with a peer via FaceTime.

4. Play charades via FaceTime.

5. Make a joyful playlist for a friend.

 

With this in mind, we all know there will be plenty of time when socializing with peers is not an option. Below are some suggestions to allow your child to continue to practice their social skills:

1. Do a role-play with your child. Kids love to act things out! Think about what is challenging for them socially (i.e., initiating conversation, joining a group already in progress, etc.), and have them role play how they would handle this challenge. Offer feedback to your “actor”, and have them role-play it again…this time with how they would handle it differently.

2. Interview each other: Interviewing is an important skill. You and your child can start interviewing each other face-to-face by asking each other questions. Teach them conversational skills by asking them to make a comment about your comment. Your child can take it to another level by calling a grandparent or family member and interviewing them over the phone.

3. Connect with people in your home: playing games, camping, and going on walks. You can teach your child how to socialize appropriately through board games.

 

Q: What activities can I do at home with my children?

A: Go for walks, get active outdoors, cook or bake together, have family game nights, watch movies, listen to music, build a fort, do arts and crafts, read a book together. Continue to laugh and have hope, this too will pass.

 

Q: What are some tips for parents?

1. Stick to routines - try to structure each day.

2. Balance school, work and play

3. Limit screen time (they recommend 2 hours/day max... We know this part is very tough.

4. Discuss new rules at home during this time.

5. Help kids to separate what is in their control from what is not.

6. Try to help kids plan for today; stay in the present.

7. Ask your child; Are you okay? How can I help?

 

Q: What can I do to address my child’s emotional needs?

A: Help to build their resilience in the face of obstacles. A good resource with some activities for all ages:

https://positivepsychology.com/resilience-activities-worksheets

Play board and card games as a family. Becoming a graceful winner and learning to lose are equally important skills.

There is a great deal of information about Mindfulness activities available online. Journaling with your child. Keeping a log of what they’re doing and feeling during this separation from their traditional school environment.

 

Q: What are coping strategies and stress reducers I can teach my child?

A: Deep breathing, visualization, guided meditation, journaling, and grounding exercises all can be found here:

https://www.calm.com/blog/take-a-deepbreath? utm_source=lifecycle&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=difficult_times_nonsubs_031720#calmkids

 

Q: What are local community mental health resources?

• Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-8255 • Substance Abuse & Mental Health National Helpline (1-800-662-HELP (4357) • OK2Talk Teen Helpline 1-800-273-TALK • Crisis Text Line Text “HOME” to 741741 for 24/7, anonymous, free crisis counseling • Child Abuse Hotline 1-800-342-3720 • Mental Health Hotline 631-952-3333 • RESPONSE Crisis Referral Hotline- Crisis, Suicide 24 hr 631-751-7500 • Family Service League-Mobile Crisis and DASH 24-hour hotline 631-952-3333

 

Q: How can I contact the school psychologists, social workers, guidance counselors at my child(ren)’s school:

A: The following is a list of those individuals in each of the schools. Please click here to look up their email addresses.

 

Ward Melville High School

  • Guidance Counselors:  Erin Anziano, Linda Bergson, John Diehl, Allison Dinkel, Nathan Jayne, Christine Mirabella, Walter Olsen, Darlene Ryan, Jennifer Sheppard, James Sheridan, Michelle Walker
  • Psychologists: Heather Salas, Jose Salazar
  • Social Workers: Dianna Gott, Glenda Gregory

 

Three Village Academy

  • Guidance Counselor: Leah Jantzen
  • Psychologist: Mary Lynch

 

Gelinas J.H.S.

  • Guidance Counselors: Anthony Dattero, Lori Eisenhardt, Nicole Indelicato, Kevin McGaley
  • Social Worker: Pam Roberts

 

Murphy J.H.S.

  • Guidance Counselors: Jessica Ennis, Amy Poulos, Brian Treder, Joan Zeller
  • Psychologist: Lolita Portal-Pfeffer
  • Social Worker: Michelle Virga 

 

Arrowhead

  • Guidance Counselor: Rebecca Keller
  • Psychologists: Nina Murphy,  Jennifer Stevens
  • Social Worker: Judy Forgione

 

Minnesauke

  • Guidance Counselor: Rebecca Keller
  • Psychologist: Michelle Lambert
  • Social Worker: Leia Woodruff

 

Mount

  • Guidance Counselor: Rebecca Keller
  • Psychologist: Lauren Rebore
  • Social Worker: Tinamarie Rickmers

 

Nassakeag

  • Guidance Counselor: Rebecca Keller
  • Psychologist: Nicole Nickerson
  • Social Worker: Kristine Sheiffle

 

Setauket

  • Guidance Counselor: Rebecca Keller
  • Psychologist: Nina Murphy
  • Psychologist: Melanthi Parpas 
  • Social Worker: Sherry Lennon