Crowning of Mary, Mother’s Day, promotions and graduations – May is a month filled with traditions that bring the community together. We may be experiencing feelings of loss, anger, and anxiety with the cancellation of many important events. Our school counselor, Ms. Shaw has tools and resources on her webpage to help families prioritize and take care of their mental health during this particularly difficult time.
Some highlights from Ms. Shaw’s webpage include:
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- “How to Help Teens Handle the Loss of Proms and Graduations” offers some useful tips for supporting children who are dealing with feelings of loss and sadness.
- Ms. Shaw reads, Coronavirus: A Book for Children, which provides key information that answers children’s most common questions about Covid-19 using simple language.
Ms. Shaw also continues to facilitate the following weekly activities for:
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- Primary: 15-minute read-aloud videos with mini-counseling lessons that help students process their feelings. Videos include simple art projects, puppets, mindful moments, and breathing techniques.
- Intermediate: Ms. Shaw has a new program called “Stempathy,” which combines STEM and empathy. Stempathy requires the innovator to first listen to and emphasize with a person’s problem, and then build a solution for them. This is a fun activity to do with whatever materials you have at home. You can learn more here.
- Middle School: Ms. Shaw and Ms. Tsagalakis are hosting a weekly 30-minute “Virtual Recess” on Fridays. Students play games, chat, and catch up with one another. It’s a fun and informal way for them to connect with friends. RSVP here: 6th grade, 7th grade, 8th grade
She is also available for emails, calls, or video chats at any time during the school week.
