Guidance Newsletter
Fall 2020
Dear Parents and Families,
It is hard to believe that we are already in November and beginning the second marking period. We wanted to reach out to all of our families in order to provide some helpful resources during this continuously difficult time.
As school counselors, we will work hard to continue our support of all students, both in the academic and emotional arenas. Many students are struggling with anxiety, time management, organization, prioritizing responsibilities, and an overall sense of feeling overwhelmed.
As we meet with students, we are helping them to normalize and validate their feelings, as well as develop strategies to address their difficulties and provide referrals for outside services when appropriate; as we communicate with home, we are sharing all our approaches to address student needs and continuing to brainstorm new ways of assisting them.
We encourage all parents and guardians to reach out to us at any point, especially if you see your child is having any new or worsening struggles.
General Remote Learning Tips for Parents:
Choose an appropriate learning environment where your children have what they need to be successful learners:
*Ample space for materials and to spread out as needed
*Devices that are charged and hotspots that are being used if needed
*Quiet environment where distractions are limited (unnecessary websites, television, phones, pets, etc.)
*If possible, an adult present to monitor learning
At the conclusion of each day, check your child’s agenda book and Google Classroom to ensure assignments due have been completed thoroughly and turned in on time.
Expect your children to do their part. The adults that care about them are not expected to do it all. Students should be held accountable and do their part, while being provided with support and encouragement; give age and mistake-appropriate consequences.
- Connect with others and encourage kindness in your children. Remind them to reach out to their friends and family, behave appropriately during virtual meetings, and to treat others the way they would want to be treated.
Encourage a structured and detailed schedule that is followed every remote day
Set aside time to have discussions with your children and listen to what their struggles/stressors are. Talk about the importance of perseverance and accountability and offer whatever help you are able to provide (sitting with them to do some of their work, emailing teachers and counselors to check in and see how your child is doing or to update with concerns you have).
In the morning, you might ask:
• What classes/subject do you have today?
• Do you have any assessments?
• How will you spend your time?
• What resources do you need?
• What can I do to help?
At the end of the day you might ask:
• How far did you get in your learning tasks today?
• What did you discover? What was hard? What did you do well or what were you proud of?
• What could we do to make tomorrow better?
School Counselors
(973) 948-3727 ext. 210
Jennifer Ripatrazone (Middle School)
(973) 948-3727 ext. 222