Issue 15 SJC News 2020

Returning to school: 7 tips for parents/carers to help young people cope

- Adapted from: Parent zone

We have loved having the boys back onsite this week and to continue to prepare and support our students’ return to onsite learning and the classroom/school environment, I invite the St Joseph’s College community to consider the following tips:

1. Talk to your child about how they feel

• It is important to encourage young people to discuss their feelings about returning to school.

• If they feel anxious or worried, help them understand this is perfectly normal, and that you are there to support them.

• Although difficult, try not to share any anxiety you may be feeling with your son.

• Bear in mind that your son may be returning to a pre-existing issue from before remote learning – for example, a bullying or relationship issue, or difficulty with school work or staff. Or they may just feel apprehensive about returning to the school social environment.

• Try to give them a non-judgemental and supportive place to share any worries. Some young people may not always have the words to express their feelings, so try to find a way of bringing up the conversation without putting pressure on them – for instance when you’re going for a walk. This can help them to open up naturally and identify what they’re concerned about.

2. Pack right, pack light

• The boys should have now returned their books to their lockers and we would encourage boys not to keep lugging a heavy bag around.

• All students should bring their own drink bottle to school.

3. Support young people to understand the school procedures

• It will be important for your son to understand social distancing, the wearing of face masks and hygiene rules and, importantly, why they are in place.

• Read school communications with your child and make sure they are prepared and know what to expect when they arrive at school.

4. Familiarise yourself with school procedures

• If you transport your son to/from school, you’ll need to know where and when to drop them off and pick them up, as well as what parts of the school you can access. Parents/Carers must continue to observe the directions of Victoria’s Chief Health Officer (ie. social distancing).

• If your son travels to/from school independently, including on public transport, you should talk to him about getting to and from school, including observing the directions of Victoria’s Chief Health Officer (ie social distancing, group gatherings, face masks).

• If they travel home independently, make sure someone is home to meet them or if that isn’t possible, that you call them to check-in when they arrive home.

5. End of day emotions

• A school day can require a lot of self-regulation or compressed behaviour, which can lead to tired and emotional outbursts later on in the day.

• Given the length of remote learning and new school safety procedures in place, these emotions may be hard to cope with when they return home.

• It is a good idea to keep this in mind, and allow for some ‘letting off steam’ allowing young people to unwind – encourage an outdoor walk or other physical activity.

6. Stay informed

• Given the long absence from school, there may be a period of readjustment. Studying and following rules are habits that will need to be relearnt.

• Discuss and affirm familiar routines and school expectations regarding uniform, grooming, attendance and participation to help your child reconnect with their school community.

• There may be fresh challenges for your child, from working with new classmates and teachers, to coping with their work and school expectations.

• Try to stay informed about how they are getting on – but if you are concerned, contact the homeroom teacher or YLC/House coordinator.

7. Sleep and rest

• Young people may have been getting used to some unusual hours during the remote learning period and that may have extended into the school holidays.

• Make sure your child is getting a good night’s sleep during Term 4.

• It might mean introducing some earlier bedtimes than they have had recently and limiting screen time. Phones should be kept outside the bedroom during night time.

• A good night’s rest will help them cope with the return to school and the new routines they will be adapting to.