Dear Parents/Carers.
In our update last week, we said that we would be in a position to update you on our plans for return to school today. We want to make this update both as clear, comprehensive and accurate as possible. Due to the complexity of the planning required, there are still some additional pieces of information that we need to fine tune before communicating to you. Therefore, we will now update you via our website, app and learning journals platforms re our return to school plans by 12pm tomorrow. Apologies for the slight delay.
In the meantime, please see some helpful information below from City of Edinburgh Council concerning activities that families can carry out together to prepare for the return to school next week.
Tips for Parents/Carers From City Of Edinburgh Council
We all want to help our children and young people make as smooth a transition as possible back into school and to feel safe and happy there. We’ve created these tips as a resource for parents and carers to use to support themselves and their children to become more resilient and develop the skills needed to cope with challenging times – especially as we get ready to return to school.
These tips complement the building resilience primary health and wellbeing programme which we will be using as part of our return to school curriculum. The tips help to engage pupils, families and staff in raising awareness and understanding of ten protective factors for our mental health and wellbeing which are drawn from key research around mental health and emotional wellbeing.
Back to school tip 1: Keep connected – Relationships matter
Support your child to contact a friend from school, chat online or spend some time together before the start of term. For children who may find this difficult, help plan an activity or discuss ideas of what they could talk about.
Think of ways your child can feel connected to you when they return to school, E.g. give them a picture, a written message or a familiar object that they can take with them in their pocket or bag. Schools will give advice on what your child can bring with them initially.
Arrange to meet or call a friend or another parent, have a chat and share your plans for returning to school. Suggest walking to school together or arrange to meet up after school starts.
Share anything important that has happened during lockdown with school at the start of term- let them know about any family changes, positive achievements or challenges experienced. Your child may want to draw a picture or take a photo of something positive they have done to share with a staff member or their friends.
Back to school tip 2: Be kind to others – Everyone needs kindness
Encourage your child to think of ways they can be kind to others and pay attention and praise your child when you notice them doing this. “It was kind of you to… share with your friend/ include them in your group at break”
Children learn by watching others- show or tell your child ways you have been kind to others. For example, “I had a chat with our neighbour, she looked a bit sad.”
Notice other parents on their own in and around the school, you never know who may welcome a friendly greeting or chat.
Above all, be kind to yourself. We’ve all been through exceptional circumstances.
Back to school tip 3: Talk things over – It’s good to talk…and listen
Notice when is a good time and make space for your child to talk about things. This may be walking the dog, in the car or at bedtime. Create opportunities for your child to build a relationship with another family member, trusted adult or professional.
Be available to actively listen to what your child is thinking or how they are feeling. Name what you think they are feeling, let them know you understand and try not to jump in too soon with a solution. For example. “It sounds like you’re worried about having no one to play with, I can see why that’s upsetting you.”
After the school day, your child may need time to wind down before telling you about their day. You could try sharing something about your day first.
Think about who you can talk to about any concerns or worries you have, such as a friend, family member or maybe a professional.
Back to school tip 4: Look on the bright side – Find positive moments, however small, each day
Our brains are wired to notice threats, sometimes that stops us seeing the good stuff. That can mean we have to really try to be positive.
Help your child identify the positive things about lockdown easing or returning to school. Who might they be looking forward to seeing or what might they be looking forward to doing?
Consider the positives for you of lockdown easing and children returning to school.
It can be helpful to make time each day to think of one or two positive things. It may be nice to write these down in diary or post them in a jar, share them with your child and listen to their ideas. You could have a phrase like “Today I loved…. playing football with you”
Back to school tip 5: Challenge your mindset – Remember we can cope…we just did
It can be unsettling not knowing what may happen. Help your child focus on all the things they do know, such as how to get to school, what they will wear, seeing a friend. Introduce new information gradually as it becomes available.
Everyone is a unique individual, discuss with your child the little things that they can do or have already achieved. Remind them of these skills and successes when embarking on a new challenge.
It is normal that many children and parents will be feeling anxious, try to focus on how you will manage rather than what might go wrong. Show confidence, even if you are feeling a bit wobbly, it helps that your child sees that you have a plan to carry out together.
Back to school tip 6: Take a moment – We all need some time out
Reflect on what you have noticed helps or may help your child to cope with new or difficult situations or emotions such as listening to music, jumping on the trampoline, etc. It might be helpful to practice new coping strategies together and plan for how these can be used when things are tricky.
Being a parent can be really tough, doing things to look after our own wellbeing helps to manage stress, boost our confidence and makes us more able to cope with the ups and downs. Try to prioritise doing something that improves your wellbeing – it might help to set aside some time each day. You could- chat with a friend, go for a walk, read a book, go fishing, etc.
If appropriate share with your child a way you have managed a difficult situation.
Back to school tip 7: Make a difference – Small things can make a difference
Discuss with your child what they did to make a difference to someone in your community or your environment over the past few months. Like displaying a rainbow, shopping for a grandparent or cutting the grass for a neighbour.
Acknowledge the small things – for example notice your child when they help a sibling, put litter in the bin, help around the home.
Talk about who or what made a difference to you or your family during lockdown.
This could be something that seems small, like someone calling when you needed cheering up. Consider how you made a difference and what else you’d like to do.
By each of us washing our hands, wearing a mask and keeping a distance we help protect others.
Back to school tip 8: Get active – Keep going, or get started
It’s proven that physical activity boosts our sense of well-being.
If your child started to be more active during lockdown, think about how this can be continued. If not, what small steps could you encourage. Be curious about what may interest them and plan how they could try something new.
A lot of us were more active individually as well as together as a family – playing games, going for cycle rides and walks together. We will have noticed the benefit; plan how you can keep these activities going.
As lockdown eases we can benefit from more exercise outdoors and reduce some of family screen time and online activity.
Remember little rewards to yourself and family can help establish a good habit!
Back to school tip 9: Respect yourself – Be proud of your child and yourself
Help your child make a list of the things they have learnt and enjoyed over the last few months. E.g. learned to hula hoop, baking, mountain biking. Share and celebrate these with family and friends.
Think about and share all the ways you and the family have adjusted to the challenges over the last few months and acknowledge together, the strengths you’ve shown. There may have been ups and downs but remind yourself of the things you managed to do. Such as using video calls, cooking family meals, supporting your child with their learning or exploring your neighbourhood.
You may wish to put together a scrap book or time capsule to help remember this extraordinary time. It could include photographs of the things you did at home, news articles, letters, interviews from different family members, etc.
Back to school tip 10: Have a goal – A new journey starts with a step…
Talk to your child about what they would like to learn or get better at by the end of this term, such as a sports skill, a new hobby, being able to cook something, dress themselves, etc.
Think about something positive you can start to do, or you keep doing when your child returns to school. E.g. start a new class, exercise, meet a friend, complete a home improvement project.
Thank you for your support and understanding. I look forward to communicating with you tomorrow.
Pat Brack
Head Teacher
