Counselor Johnson

As an educator of 20 years, let me just say that it is all going to be okay if we miss some school this year! Teachers, nobody expects you to be able to provide the same level of education that you would in your classroom online. I am amazed how creative you are and how you are maintaining a connection with your students. That connection is far more important than the "content" you may feel you need to teach. Parents, nobody expects you to know how to homeschool your chil d or teach common core math!   🙂  You don't have to keep a strict schedule that mimics that of a traditional school day. Don’t spend this time fighting with your kids about school work.  It's okay that we are not going to cover all of the standards that we had planned in our pacing guides. It's not going to put your children behind or make them less competitive for college or jobs because we don't cover certain standards or we don't have state testing this year. Everybody else is goi

Talking about scary things with your kids can be scary for parents, too!  Here's a little advice on talking about scary things like the coronavirus:  1.  Keep your kids away from the media as much as possible.  Don't spend hours watching the news, reading things on social media to them, etc.  This will add to their fear and anxiety. It is your job to get the information and then share it with your children in a way that is developmentally appropriate.   2.  Remain as calm as possible in front of your children, even if you are freaking out inside.  Many times, a child's anxiety is a reflection of our own.   3.  Remind your kids of all the things we are doing to keep safe like washing our hands,  social distancing, cancelling events, and staying home from school. Reassure them that you are doing what is necessary to keep them safe and healthy.   4.  Let them ask questions and answer as best you can.  Not allowing them to ask questions will only make them worry more