WELCOME
In this issue:
- School Anxiety
- Attendance
- School Anxiety
- Attendance
How to Manage School Anxiety
We are happy that school is back in session and look forward to another great year working with all of the students and families! Whether you are returning to Blackman or you are new to our community, getting back into the school routine can cause some anxiety for students (and parents)! Keep reading to learn about school anxiety and tips for a successful school year.
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What is School Anxiety?
Consistent and extreme worry or fear when having to separate from a caregiver to attend school Symptoms of School Anxiety
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9 Tips to Help Children with School Anxiety
1. GOODBYE ROUTINE
Develop a quick goodbye routine and do it the same way every time. Don’t drag out the goodbye process as it makes leaving even more difficult. Arrive to school on time. Arriving late can lead to more anxiety and fear as the rest of the class watches your child walk in.
2. CALM & NEUTRAL
Resist power struggles by staying calm and neutral. Avoid yelling, making threats, or punishing your child for feeling upset. This is not effective in teaching emotional regulation skills and can lead to further anxiety.
3. AVOID PROMISES/REWARDS
Avoid making promises or offering rewards. If you promise early dismissal, it sends the wrong message and leads to the student worrying when they will get to go home. Internal satisfaction is more powerful than being rewarded externally.
4. BE CONFIDENT
Show your child confidence as you leave. Avoid having conversations in front of your child about how nervous you are or the difficulty your child is experiencing. Instead allow your child to hear how proud you are for getting through challenges.
Develop a quick goodbye routine and do it the same way every time. Don’t drag out the goodbye process as it makes leaving even more difficult. Arrive to school on time. Arriving late can lead to more anxiety and fear as the rest of the class watches your child walk in.
2. CALM & NEUTRAL
Resist power struggles by staying calm and neutral. Avoid yelling, making threats, or punishing your child for feeling upset. This is not effective in teaching emotional regulation skills and can lead to further anxiety.
3. AVOID PROMISES/REWARDS
Avoid making promises or offering rewards. If you promise early dismissal, it sends the wrong message and leads to the student worrying when they will get to go home. Internal satisfaction is more powerful than being rewarded externally.
4. BE CONFIDENT
Show your child confidence as you leave. Avoid having conversations in front of your child about how nervous you are or the difficulty your child is experiencing. Instead allow your child to hear how proud you are for getting through challenges.
5. NIGHT TIME ROUTINE
Stick to a consistent night time routine even on the weekends. Prepare the night before by laying out clothes, shoes, school supplies, and making lunches. Make sure your child gets quality sleep each night by having screen-free time at least 30 minutes before bedtime.
6. SMALL MEMORY ITEM
Have child bring one small item from home. Items such as a hand-written note, a family picture, or a small keepsake that when looked at brings a happy thought.
7. CALMING STRATEGIES
Teaching your child calming strategies is a great way for them to take an active role in overcoming anxiety. Some coping strategy examples are:
Stick to a consistent night time routine even on the weekends. Prepare the night before by laying out clothes, shoes, school supplies, and making lunches. Make sure your child gets quality sleep each night by having screen-free time at least 30 minutes before bedtime.
6. SMALL MEMORY ITEM
Have child bring one small item from home. Items such as a hand-written note, a family picture, or a small keepsake that when looked at brings a happy thought.
7. CALMING STRATEGIES
Teaching your child calming strategies is a great way for them to take an active role in overcoming anxiety. Some coping strategy examples are:
- Deep Breathing Exercise: Inhale through nose. Hold for 5 seconds. Exhale through mouth.
- Do 25 of something active- jumping jacks, shooting hoops, jump rope.
- Focus on positive thoughts
- Count down from 10 BACKWARDS.
8. BE CONSISTENT & DON'T GIVE UP
Remember to be consistent and don’t give up. Keeping a consistent routine helps kids know what to expect. It’s tempting to give up or give in when things are difficult. It’s important to remember that what feels easier in the short run usually makes things more difficult in the long run. There’s no quick fix in overcoming anxiety. The best lesson your child learns is they CAN do hard things and be successful!
9. BE PREPARED FOR SETBACKS
Don’t get discouraged with regression. Going back to school after a long weekend, holiday break, or illness can cause anxiety to flare up again. Be prepared for this and remember consistency is key.
Remember to be consistent and don’t give up. Keeping a consistent routine helps kids know what to expect. It’s tempting to give up or give in when things are difficult. It’s important to remember that what feels easier in the short run usually makes things more difficult in the long run. There’s no quick fix in overcoming anxiety. The best lesson your child learns is they CAN do hard things and be successful!
9. BE PREPARED FOR SETBACKS
Don’t get discouraged with regression. Going back to school after a long weekend, holiday break, or illness can cause anxiety to flare up again. Be prepared for this and remember consistency is key.
Good Attendance Equals Academic Success
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Our goal this year is to ensure that every student attends school regularly. Students fall behind when they miss school, whether the students are absent for excused or unexcused reasons. A few absences every month can add up to weeks of lost learning over the school year.
Showing up for school has a huge impact on a student’s academic success starting in kindergarten and continuing through high school. When children are young, they are dependent upon adults or older siblings to help them get to school. Just as parents should focus on how their children are performing academically, they have a responsibility to set expectations for good attendance and to monitor their children’s absences, so that missed days don’t add up to academic trouble. |
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We realize some absences are unavoidable due to health problems or other circumstances. But, we also know that when students miss too much school— regardless of the reason – it can cause them to fall behind academically. Your child is less likely to succeed if he or she is chronically absent—which means missing 18 or more days over the course of an entire school year. Research shows:
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Absences can add up quickly. A child is chronically absent if he or she misses just two days every month!!
We recognize there may be barriers to attendance and we would like to work with families in identifying and overcoming those barriers. Let us know how we can best support you and your children so that they can show up for school on time every day. We want your child to be successful in school! If you have any questions or need more information, please contact your child's School Counselor.
We recognize there may be barriers to attendance and we would like to work with families in identifying and overcoming those barriers. Let us know how we can best support you and your children so that they can show up for school on time every day. We want your child to be successful in school! If you have any questions or need more information, please contact your child's School Counselor.
Our Learning |
Upcoming Events |
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This month's Guidance lessons will cover class expectations, as well as an overview of the job of a School Counselor. |
8/6- First day for students- 2 hr day
8/7- Teacher work day (no school for students) 8/8- First full day for students |
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Megan KloppK-2 School Counselor |
Courtney Evans3-5 School Counselor |
