 NEW EDITORIAL TAKING CARE OF CHILDREN IN ALARMING TIMES BY GORDON NEUFELD, PH.D. I'd like to share a few thoughts on taking care of children in alarming times. These are not new ideas by any means, more like reminders for those who are familiar with the attachment-based developmental approach. I'll try to keep it brief as alarm has a way of shortening our attention spans. But first, some comments on the nature of the stress we are experiencing during this crisis. It is only natural that in times of stress, we seek togetherness. This is how we are wired. But in this case, togetherness – at least in the form of 'being with' - is what threatens us, thus creating a perfect emotional storm. No wonder we feel so rattled and unsettled. We are meant to come together in order to take care of each other and our loved ones. Now we are asked to keep our distance to keep each other safe. As imperative as it is in these times, it goes against the grain of our instincts and that of our children. ...READ THE REST OF DR. NEUFELD'S EDITORIAL HERE FREE WEBINAR RECORDING THE POWER OF PLAY TO TAKE CARE OF US PRESENTED BY DEBORAH MACNAMARA, PH.D. How can we even think about playing during times of crisis? Isn’t play frivolous? Something to be done when everything else is taken care of? Neufeld Institute faculty member Deborah MacNamara discusses how play is a powerful force – for children and adults alike – and is critical to our survival in times of stress. Dr. MacNamara explores why it is in our nature to play, how play can heal and restore us, and why we will need to lean on play more than ever in the days and weeks to come. Dr. MacNamara's webinar was presented live on the Neufeld Institute virtual campus on March 24, 2020 and is now available on our YouTube channel (click on the image below). Please feel free to share the recording link with your friends and family. POWER TO PARENT II:
HELPING CHILDREN GROW UP TUESDAYS, STARTING MARCH 31/20 10:00 AM TO 11:00 AM PACIFIC RUNS FOR 6 WEEKS OFFERED BY GABRIELLA TOTH Join us for an 8-session course, Helping Children Grow Up. This is the second course in the Power to Parent series; the prerequisite has just been waived to allow everyone access to this timely material so you can join us even if you haven’t taken the first course, The Vital Connection. We'll explore how we can support the three processes of maturation in our children, helping grow curious, independent, responsible and resilient children who are capable of self-control and social sensitivity. We'll look at our role as parents to foster growth in our children and how we have a partner in nature. Just like in gardening, if we tend to the conditions that are conducive to growth in our children, nature can do the rest! DETAILS & REGISTRATION
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Update: Thank you to everyone who has supported this fundraiser so far. It's much appreciated. The Purdys order has been placed and the flower fundraiser is still running. If you're looking to order flowers, you can order until April 17th. Currently the flowers are being dropped off at Tennyson although this might change. Once we get closer to the pickup date, we'll email you with details. Lord Tennyson Quebec 2021 is fundraising with Purdys Chocolatier and Growing Smiles, just in time for Easter and for making your patios and gardens ready for spring!
If you’d like to support the children currently in grade 6, please click both of those links below: https://fundraising.purdys.com/1076830-73833 -- please keep in mind the market place shopping option is the easiest way to purchase as it is all fully online, but of course you are welcome to use the online order form option as well. When you login or create an account, please take a moment to add your Child's name and division in the FIRST NAME. Leave the parent's full name in the LAST NAME. We want to make sure the proper chocolates get to you. After you’ve signed in the Purdy website you can buy their amazing chocolates or invite others to join and support our Fundraising Campaign. https://lordtennyson.growingsmilesfundraising.com/home As for the Growing Smiles feel free to order whatever you feel your patio/garden needs! Thank you so much! Quebec 2021 Parents and Students. Thanks you for continuing to send ideas to keep mind (young and old) stimulated at home. Here are some fresh ones:
March 27, 2020
Dear Parents and Guardians, Thank you for your patience as the District develops plans to move forward as we all adapt to the limitations resulting from Covid-19. As your superintendent, I understand the anxiety and ambiguity that families and staff are feeling. I would like you to know that the Vancouver School District’s number one priority is the health and safety of our students, staff and you as families. We care deeply about your well-being and will do all that we can to support you and your children at this difficult time. As the official end of spring break is upon us, the District will implement a phased approach to provide continued learning opportunities for all students. In advance of implementing these opportunities, the District will focus on three initial priorities:
For Vancouver students, school will not be the same. As you know, in-class instruction is suspended. This means there will be a fundamental shift in school services and supports for students. Teachers and support staff will need time to prepare and plan for what that looks like and how to carry out the plans to support students. Next week, school staff will begin to communicate with families and students to check in on how you are doing, to establish connections, and to determine what would be most helpful in supporting your children. One of our top three priorities is to establish ways to maintain supportive connections between home and school. I have every confidence that our dedicated administrators, teachers and support staff will strive to sustain a strong sense of community and ensure that students know they are cared for, valued, and that their education matters. Here are some other things to expect from your schools and our District as a whole. Toward the end of next week, school staff will reach out to provide further information on plans about how students can access materials and belongings from their schools, potentially some ideas about the continuation of learning, and plans to support the most vulnerable students and their families. This will not be perfect and there will be bumps along the way. Please be assured that we are working diligently to do the very best we can on behalf of all students. In addition, I would like to provide two additional updates about work underway to support children and families. Supporting vulnerable students: Throughout the past two weeks, a team of District staff have been looking to continue to provide meals to eligible students, through our schools. Again, this will be a phased approach with initial steps starting on Monday, March 30. Information will go out to families about the health and safety requirements (such as social/physical distancing) and the pick-up plan for students who previously accessed this support service. Feeding children and youth who require this enhanced support is a priority for the government and for the Vancouver Board of Education. We are pleased to be able to do so and are thankful to members of IUOE – one of our unions – for working with us to develop and implement this plan. Providing childcare for children of essential service workers: All school districts have been tasked with ensuring childcare for essential service providers. Our staff have been working closely with government ministries (Education, Health and Children and Family Development) as well as the City of Vancouver, the Park Board and childcare service providers to put plans in place to support the children of healthcare providers and first responders during this challenging time. More details will follow as soon as they are available. In the meantime, please continue to check for updates online, via the District website or your school’s site. We will also continue to share information on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Personally, I am inspired by our community, and I am grateful for the dedication of our team who play a vital role in your children’s lives. In closing, I want to highlight the importance of staying calm and reassuring children during this challenging time. As a community, our mutual support of each other in the interests of all children will help see us through these unprecedented times. Sincerely, Suzanne Hoffman Superintendent of Schools Vancouver School District Thanks for all the suggestions! Keep them coming! There are some great ones on the FB page as well.
Dear parents,
What an unusual spring break. I send you lots of strength to get through this challenging time. Lord Tennyson has always been a school that stands together, so lets stand together (at least 1 meter apart), again. With the indefinite suspension of in-class instruction upon us, you might wonder what happens to the hot lunches and the noon hour programs. The short answer is: nothing right now. Be assured, I will start cancelling hot lunches on a weekly basis next week, if the situation doesn’t change towards a "back to school”. Your MunchaLunch account will be credited with the corresponding amount every time. For Noon Hour Programs, we are communicating with the instructors. In case the school closure is not continuing for too long after spring break, we are able to move and adjust the programs a bit. If schools won’t reopen on time, we will have to cancel Noon Hour Programs completely. In that case, the amount will be credited to your MunchaLunch account as well. In case the worst case scenario is going to happen, and our kids won’t return to Lord Tennyson this school year, credits will be carried over to September. I keep you posted and be assured, there won’t be any food delivered to Lord Tennyson without any kids there. All the best Barbara Thank you everyone for the submissions of additional ideas! Here are a bunch more interesting things to do:
I have more coming in and will keep posting!! Would love any ideas specific to the older grades. They are a tough crowd :)  Below is the letter from Suzanne Hoffman, Superintendent of Schools, Vancouver School District regarding school closures due to COVID-19
Dear Parents and Guardians, I wish to share updated information with you about impacts of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) on our school communities. Today, we received the attached letter from the Ministry of Education following the provincial government’s announcement to suspend in-class learning in BC’s schools. Everyone at the District understands that the effects of this decision will vary family-to-family. We are committed to doing all that we can to maintain safety for your children. Like the Minister of Education indicated, the District will work to develop ways to ensure children’s learning continues. With schools out on spring break, we will take this time to initiate those plans. The District will provide more information as soon as details are determined. Please check our website for updates. Additionally, we are looking at how to continue to meet the needs of students who rely on enhanced supports at their schools such as nutrition/food programs. In addition to today’s announcement, the District also suspended community groups’ rentals in our facilities. At this time, daycare and the District’s Community School Teams’ programs are not impacted. We continue to work closely with the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Health, the Office of the Provincial Health Officer and Vancouver Coastal Health on the COVID-19 response. Public institutions, such as our education system, have a responsibility to ensure every step is taken to address this pandemic in our communities. As I said before, these are extraordinary times. Yet, I know our school communities are places of deep connections and good will. I hope, like me, you find comfort in that sense of community amidst our current situation. Sincerely, Suzanne Hoffman Superintendent of Schools Vancouver School District Staying home with the kids? (rhetorical question). Below are some resources to help pass the time. Learning, playing, and some just for sanity’s sake:
Have some ideas to share? Please send them to info@lordtennyson.ca and we’ll post them for everyone. Check back in with the blog to see what’s new, or let us know what your are doing at home and we can post that too! Happy social distancing! |
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