Weekly, through a format called Counselor’s Check-In,  I contact students to get a general wellness measure of our students.  This week I asked the students how they felt about the announcement that the school campus would not reopen until next school year.  Throughout the grade levels a theme of grief surfaced.  Typically one connects grief with a loss of life or death but more broadly grief is the loss of expectations. The impact of Covid-19 is multifaceted and has numerous areas in which student’s  expectations may not be met. The sudden but needed campus closure, although necessary for public safety, left farewells unsaid, parties not celebrated, projects undone and milestones acknowledged in different ways.  So how can we help our students process these feelings?  Here are a few thoughts.

1.   Encourage your child to talk about his or her feelings.  As parents we often want to fix things.  Telling them that things will be okay and to forget their sad or disappointed feelings.  Accept their feelings as valid and understand that these feelings will and can change quickly.
2. Be creative.  Many students in my survey indicated they were sad they wouldn’t be able to say good-bye to friends or teachers.  Although we aren’t on campus saying good-bye can be a powerful tool for closure.  Get creative and brainstorm together alternative ways to say farewell to important people.
3. Be in the moment.  When emotions are strong, help your child focus on the present.  Breath deeply, take inventory of the senses (how does this feel, look, smell, taste?) or flex and relax muscles.
4. Make social connections.  Virtual play dates and attending class meetings are important for students to feel connected with their friends and teachers.  Starting this Wednesday, ISY will offer a weekly virtual recess time for students in each grade to play games, engage in conversation and participate in activities. 

 If you are interested in further exploring this issue, please feel free to contact me, Ms. Patty, at escounselor@isyedu,org or review these helpful articles.  I am available for individual meetings with parents and students throughout the week.

Articles:

That Uncomfortable Feeling you are Having is Grief by Scott Berinato

However you are Feeling Right Now is Totally Normal by Abigail Libers