January 7, 2021

Dear AP School Community,

Yesterday, citizens gathered at our nation’s capital to protest the results of the recent presidential election. During the event, the United States Capitol building in Washington, DC, was breached. These alarming events, coupled with the reality of the current pandemic, can be particularly frightening for some students. Children can experience feelings of confusion, sadness, helplessness, anger and anxiety as they try to make sense out of the news in the world around them. Experts agree that talking to your child about conflicts in the news can help him or her understand what has happened so they can feel safe and begin to cope with the situation.

Attached are tips from the National Child Traumatic Stress Network to help you in your discussions at https://www.nctsn.org/resources/suggestions-educators-helping-traumatized-children-school

Additional resources to aid in at-home conversations can be found at: https://www.apa.org/topics/talking-children https://www.pbs.org/parents/thrive/helping-children-with-tragic-events-in-the-news

If your child needs extra support, please feel free to reach out to your building administrator, social worker or counselor, or peruse the resources at http://allenparksocialworkers.weebly.com/

As leaders in our school community, we recognize that news events such as this reinforce our need to continue to persevere in building a culturally proficient and globally aware community.

Through education, love, patience and acceptance, we can continue to guide our children to be empowered global stewards who have a positive impact on our community, country, and world.



Sincerely,

Michael H. Darga
Superintendent of Schools

This is an article about our new landscape.  We are expecting kids (and their support systems) to be on line more and more, however we also need to make sure that students understand the Netiquette needed.  Here are the tips from the article you:     November 19, 2020 artlce
https://www.schoology.com/blog/5-tips-help-parents-teach-digital-citizenship-home
"I am most concerned about our students in middle and high school. I do not talk about the digital footprint any longer. Students are now creating digital tattoos that will stay with them forever. A tattoo is permanent and cannot be removed. With the current climate of the pandemic, electronic communication tools are being used more widely. What students post online, even in middle school, can impact their future. I ask teachers and parents to use these tips to help students as they navigate the vast space of the internet. ​

1. Respect -- Students should always be respectful when communicating or creating in the online world. I cannot stress enough to treat others online the way they would like to be treated in person. Just because they are not face-to-face doesn’t mean they are free to speak with disrespect. The words they put out online will follow them as they move through life. When considering what path to follow after school, they should remember that colleges and employers will look at their digital tattoo. 
2. Ownership -- Students need to take charge of their digital lives. A student’s digital tattoo starts early. We need to remind our students they are responsible for everything they do online. They are the ones clicking on the keys and uploading photos and are responsible for how large their digital tattoo becomes. 
3. Voice -- Students need to explore ways to show positivity on the internet. We can help them by creating activities that model collaboration and positivity in the online environment. Facilitating opportunities for students to experience the internet’s potential for positivity can go a long way to helping students represent themselves as the strong individuals we know they are. 
4. Wellness -- Students need to step away. We all realize in this digital world this is easier said than done, but everyone needs to step away from the screen from time to time. Spending too much time on electronic devices can cause feelings of isolation and depression. Our students should be engaging in activities at home and school that allow them time away from the screen. 
5. Protection -- Students need to protect their digital selves. Students may think it is a good idea to share account information such as usernames and passwords with friends, but this is just like giving the key to their house to people on the street. Remind students to keep their private information private and not to share too much about themselves. There are people that are looking for small bits of personal information online that they can piece together like a puzzle to form a larger picture.  

In these ever-changing times, it is essential we help our students to get started on the right foot as they explore the digital world. The tips above are guides. We should speak openly and honestly with our students about the power of the internet and how they can utilize it in a way that doesn’t negatively impact their future."

Again please use the link for the full article and be safe and be well.  

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Downriver Foster Closet is a 501c3 organization with a goal is to help foster families in need. Some of the items we can help with are clothing from infant sizes to adult sizes, hygiene products, furniture such as cribs/beds, baby equipment, formula, etc. We can also help birth parents who are being reunited with their children with any of these items.  If it's something we don't have "in stock",  we have built an incredible base of donors so it usually only takes a few days to gather needed items. Everything we have to offer is FREE and has been donated. We want to help in any way possible to make these kids feel good about themselves and take a little financial burden off the foster families. All the items the kids pick out, they get to keep; nothing needs to be returned to the closet! 


The closet also runs yearly programs that would be beneficial to your families, a few examples are: In May we did a bike drive, September we did a book bag drive when we filled the book bags with new school items, in October we are doing a winter coat/hat/boot drive, then in December we will be doing our 1st ever Christmas drive!  Right now we have started taking applications for foster parents to sign their kids up for Christmas. Here is the link:  https://docs.google.com/.../1FAIpQLSfw6TAAFzs.../viewform... 

These tips are from an Article on Additude Magazine by ADHD EDITORIAL BOARD, LIDIA ZYLOWSKA, M.D., ERINA WHITE, PHD, MPH, MSW​  Please visit this link for the full article.
​www.additudemag.com/explain-coronavirus-covid-19-anxiety-adhd-child/?utm_source=eletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=parent_october_2020&utm_content=101020&goal=0_d9446392d6-dd4f9f2841-287414773 

#1. Focus on the facts, understand the fear.
“What can help parents to manage anxiety is understanding the concept of intolerance of uncertainty,” Zylowska says. “Intolerance of uncertainly can drive worry and anxiety up the wall. It means that when something is uncertain, we tend to see it as dangerous, unsafe, or overwhelming. We can react with fear and avoidance or with frantic efforts to prepare for the unknown.

As much as possible, focus on the facts as we know them right now. Don’t try to predict the future or share Doom’s Day scenarios with your children. Projections aren’t helpful when no one knows for certain what’s ahead, and trying to guess may cause anxiety to run rampant. At the same time, understand that we are living in uncertain times and that will, naturally, cause justified worry.

“In the end, it is important for parents to acknowledge to themselves and to their children that anxiety, worry and, fear may be present; accept these feelings with compassion, and also learn to step back (at least a bit) from these fearful reactions. Focus on hope more than fear.”

#2. Acknowledge and manage your own anxiety. 
“Children naturally look to parents to understand if they should fear something,” Zylowksa says. “Children are very good at picking up parents emotional energy, so it is really important to manage your own fear and anxiety and not amplify your child’s fears. This is even more important for parents of children who have an anxious temperament or have significant worry about something.

#3. Bow out or be quiet when your anxiety spikes. “We are our own kids’ first anxiety defense,” says Erina White, Ph.D., a clinical researcher at Boston Children’s Hospital and therapist in private practice who specializes in ADHD and anxiety. “They take their cues from us on how worried to be by the tone, pace, pitch, and volume of our voices.

“If you sense your own anxiety rising (or you notice yourself stuffing a million rolls of toilet paper into a closet) try (and I know this is hard) to take a deep breath and bring your own heart rate down. Over the last few days, when my anxiety was heightened, I tried to take frequent walks in nature, forcing myself to hear the birds, pat the animals, and feel the ground under my feet. I also hold my hand on my heart (or on the veins of my wrist) and try to lower the rapidity of the beats. When I’m in a good place I return to my family. If I’m not, I wait.”

#4. Start with a question. Follow with facts.“Ask gently (don’t yell or over question) how your child is doing,” White says. “Let them tell you if they are worried or scared or have questions about COVID-19. If they do, have a well-informed discussion.

“Go to the CDC website (or another trusted source) and show them what the scientists are saying. Help them to understand that there are experts working on things as we speak and let them learn how to seek this knowledge in a scientific and thoughtful way. Try to discourage them from buying into social media posts, rumors or over-done media outlets.”

#5. Limit news exposure.  Remember, bad news is compelling and drives viewership. It drives up ratings, which in turn brings in more advertising dollars. 

#6. Don’t over-share. Children may have questions about germs and sickness and, in some case, even death. But unless they ask you directly, try to minimize conversation on the topic of illness. The best thing you can do is reassure them that legions of responsible adults are working hard to keep everyone safe and healthy.

#7. Maintain a routine. Children with ADHD thrive on routine. A sustained school disruption can be extremely upsetting for them. To offset this enormous change of schedule, try to put in place a reliable daily home routine. Wake at the same time each day; carve out blocks of time for academics, exercise, and entertainment; eat regular meals together, and remember that regularity is calming and reassuring.


#8. Expect non-verbal signs of anxiety. In young children, anxiety often manifests as behavior that is extra clingy, weepy, or irritable. Keeping diet and sleep routines as normal as possible will give children a sense of security. Extra hugs (and bedtime stories) along with some additional one-on-one attention will go a long way toward making an anxious child feel better.

#9. Try to play — and laugh. 

#10. Remind your children of the altruistic purpose of self-quarantining. “Oftentimes when kids understand the higher purpose of things, they can do some ‘meaning-making,’ which allows them to feel some control over their conditions,” White says. “For example, some may say, ‘We have to stay home now so that we don’t pass on the virus to others. We are going to be OK. Children are not at risk, but if we stay home we can make sure that grandma and grandpa stay healthy too…”

#11. Remember that this, too, shall pass.


Coronavirus Basics Of course, we would be remiss if we didn’t remind parents of the coronavirus basics:
If you have symptoms, reach out to your doctor.For specific questions regarding individual health, contact your physician. Congestion, fever, and breathing difficulty should be brought to the attention of a healthcare provider. Understand however, that the flu is still a bigger concern than the coronavirus. Be proactive in seeking treatment but keep things in perspective.

Teach proper hand-washing techniques. Regular and frequent hand washing is the number one way to kill the spread of germs. The CDC recommends washing hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds (two rounds of the “Happy Birthday” song or saying the alphabet twice). If soap and water aren’t available hand sanitizer that contains at least 60 percent alcohol is an acceptable substitute. Help your child remember to wash hands before and after eating, after petting cats and dogs, after touching garbage, after using the toilet, and especially after blowing their nose.

Practice good, basic hygiene. Avoid touching your face with your hands. Demonstrate how to cough or sneeze into a tissue and make tissues readily available throughout the home, especially in bedrooms, bathrooms, and the kitchen. Discourage sharing food and beverages, and remind children to avoid people who are sneezing or coughing. Handshakes are another no-no right now. Instead, greet people with a wave or challenge your family to make up their own healthy version of a no-contact greeting.

Clean and disinfect your home but don’t overdo it. Wear disposable gloves when cleaning and disinfecting and discard them after each cleaning. Clean surfaces (counters, frequently touched cabinets, and drawers) with mild soap and water. Disinfect with diluted household bleach or alcohol solutions (follow manufacturer’s instructions.) Vacuum and dust as you normally would. Clean your cell phone as well, according to its manufacturer’s instructions.
Launder with care.If someone in your home is ill, launder their clothing separately and use disposable gloves — designated for this purpose — when handling their clothes, linens, and towels. Explain to children that this is temporary and special treatment during the next few weeks and that things will go back to normal eventually.

Again, this is sections of an article on Additude Magazine by ADHD EDITORIAL BOARD, LIDIA ZYLOWSKA, M.D., ERINA WHITE, PHD, MPH, MSW​  Please visit this link for the full article.
​www.additudemag.com/explain-coronavirus-covid-19-anxiety-adhd-child/?utm_source=eletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=parent_october_2020&utm_content=101020&goal=0_d9446392d6-dd4f9f2841-287414773 

Laughter {A fun & easy self-care strategy}
BY RACHEL · PUBLISHED MARCH 28, 2017 · UPDATED APRIL 25, 2017

​http://www.socialworkcommunity.com/2017/03/laughter-fun-easy-self-care-strategy/
  
"Wanted to share a simple and easy self-care strategy that we often overlook—laughter! We all know how good it feels to have a good laugh, whether with our friends, hearing a funny joke, or because something ridiculous happened and you just can’t help yourself. Letting out a good ole belly laugh or laughing until we cry just feels so good.

But, did you know that laughter has proven health benefits?!? According to this article: http://time.com/3592134/laughing-health-benefits/, laughter can help reverse the body’s reaction to stress! It states:
“…Laughter appears to cause all the reciprocal, or opposite, effects of stress,” Berk explains. He says laughter shuts down the release of stress hormones like cortisol. It also triggers the production of feel-good neurochemicals like dopamine, which have all kinds of calming, anti-anxiety benefits. Think of laughter as the yin to stress’s yang.”
Now I know with certainty that I am not the only social worker who is stressed (ha! Aren’t we all?!?!). Regularly. Both at work and at home. And dealing with information on a daily basis that is often downright depressing. Sometimes, to be honest, it feels strange to even think about laughing with such heaviness surrounding us day to day.
Yet, we need to maintain our humanity and take care of ourselves. Laughing is one key way to help take care of ourselves. Apparently, just one minute of laughter can boost your immune system for over 24 hours. Not sure about you, but my immune system can use any boost that I can give it! And one that requires no strange foods, vitamins, etc??!! Well, that’s a clear win!
So, how can you find some laughter in your day? You know yourself best—what makes you laugh?!? SNL skits? Memes? Telling knock-knock jokes with your kids? Whatever it is, take some time today and make yourself laugh. Your health will thank you.


And if you are struggling with how to bring a little laughter into your life, here are some tips!

1. Spend time with the friends who you know make you laugh. I have a group of mom friends who whenever we get together I laugh so hard. Our conversations are real, genuine, about tough stuff, but sprinkled in there is a huge dose of humor. I always leave those nights feeling 10 times lighter and I think it’s largely due to so much laughter!
2. Try not taking yourself so seriously. There is so much humor in stuff that happens on a daily basis if we would just stop taking ourselves so seriously. Did you happen to put your shirt on backward in the morning and didn’t realize it until someone pointed it out at work?—try to embrace the humor and laugh about it instead of feel embarrass (p.s. this totally happened to me…more than once). Share these random moments with others—you’ll probably open them up to sharing similar stories that we can all laugh about together.
3. Read something that makes you laugh. I recently started reading a book for pleasure that a friend had lent to me. And it’s a great mixture of real life and humor. And when I find something funny I’m purposely laughing out loud instead of to myself (my husband thinks I’m crazy, but it’s making me feel great). You can check out the book I’m reading here (note, it does have a Christian faith and family focus, so if that’s not your thing then don’t get the book, also this is an affiliate link so if you do buy the book from this link I’ll get a small commission at no cost to you, but only including because I’m loving it and it is seriously making me LOL!).
4. Watch something that makes you laugh. Guys, SNL, gosh they are hilarious. That’s all I have to say about that. Take 5 minutes and watch a skit or watch a video that’s been traveling around Facebook in which people are commenting about how funny it is. Allow yourself the time and permission to laugh!
5. When you feel the urge, let it out! Not sure about you, but I believe laughter seems to come naturally to children. My own two boys can find the most random things downright hilarious. Yet, as adults, I think sometimes we’ve learned to restrain ourselves and let out a smile instead of a deep down belly laugh. Or we’ve let the weight of the world prevent us from embracing humor and laughter. I’m trying to learn from my kids—laughing with them, allowing myself to find the humor in the silly moments of life, and really embracing those moments as they come.

So, what makes you laugh? And how can you get more of that into your life? Have a funny video you’ve seen that makes you roll?–let the rest of us see it! Share your thoughts and laughter-inducing ideas in the comments!"

What a great article from the social work community!  Wellness, self care, caring for kids, no laughing matter.... or is it?  

The Guidance Center offers support, counseling, medication guidance and parenting classes.   Call them directly to inquire about their programs (on our tab for "Resources for Mental Health Counseling"

This is an article from Mindshift, the link to the article is here: ARTICLE

"In the world’s first history book, Herodotus recounts how the ancient Lydians faced a prolonged period of food scarcity. Months passed without relief and despair set in, spurring the desperate Lydians to implement an unusual solution. Life was organized according to a two-day schedule, where they fasted on the first day and played games to distract from hunger, while on the second day they ate and abstained from play. Herodotus writes that the people lived according to this pattern for eighteen years, survived the famine, and invented some of the games that we enjoy today.
Three thousand years later, we stand to learn much from the Lydians. Games might be a timely balm as we grapple with our own social crisis. French philosopher David Émile Durkeim believed that games are a cornerstone of human bonding, while their power to absorb and distract helps ease our thoughts from the troubles at hand. Also, digital games can simulate vast navigable virtual spaces, an attractive commodity when access to real world space is restricted. But, unlike the Lydians, we already have tens of thousands of games ready to go, many of which have been designed to dissolve physical distance.

"As we adjust to a prolonged sojourn in the great indoors, the games included here may help ease the burden of confinement. Players can draw comfort from bridging distance through online collaboration, traveling the virtual world, sharing struggles, or getting a daily fitness fix, all without having to step outside.
Kind WordsKind Words’ core mechanic is meaningful human contact. Players can anonymously write short letters to share their struggles or respond to others with supportive words. After the tutorial, all letters and responses are produced by real people. This little game with a big heart seems ideally suited to our current circumstances as it transcends space with its anonymous virtual network that encourages positive interactions, mutual comfort and support. It’s also a fun way for kids to exercise reading, writing and emotional intelligence through empathetic engagements. Not surprisingly, many recent letters address social distancing issues which grant ample opportunity to connect on the foundation of shared experience.


​Journey
Doesn’t it feel like a good time for a mystical pilgrimage across the desert? Journey is a striking work of video game art where a player traverses a surreal desert landscape as they make their way to a distant mountain. The soothing soundtrack, austere expanses and calming rhythm of play are a powerful antidote to the doldrums of social isolation. The best part is that you are not alone. At every level, one might encounter another anonymous player with whom they can exchange magic scarves and form a temporary alliance. Communication is limited to avatar motion and nonverbal chimes or “pings.” Strangely, these constraints deepen the emotional connection between players as it impedes potentially toxic behavior. Journey is a powerful metaphor that binds inward and outward voyages, but perhaps the most relevant message it delivers is its persistent reminder that less is more.




Stardew Valley The pastoral life calls in Stardew Valley, where you’re an urban office worker who inherits an abandoned plot of land from your grandfather. Fed-up with the city grind, you decide to take the plunge and start a new life in Pelican Town, an idyllic 16-bit farming community. Soon, you’re clearing land, managing crops, monitoring your sleep cycles, visiting the general store, socializing with the townsfolk and exploring the surrounding countryside. The surprise hit of 2016 is a refreshing tend-and-befriend game with throwback graphics and diverse tasks that will keep you blissfully occupied for hours. You can also farm with friends: there’s a multiplayer co-op version that lets up to four players work together, share an income and even tie the knot. 






Animal Crossing: New HorizonFresh off the press, Animal Crossing: New Horizons is the latest installment of the enduring life simulation franchise where players explore a cartoony paradiscal island and build a thriving community of cutesy animal citizens. The open-ended sim is a highly customizable sandbox where players build, collect, craft, grow, fish, trade, play and socialize. Time on the island is tied to the real world clock, the weather is in flux and the flora and fauna change according to the seasons. Four can collaborate on the same system and up to eight online players can meet to work and play on the island.






GeoGuessrWhile we await regularly scheduled flights to resume, GeoGuessr lets us explore the world from the comfort of home. It leverages Google Maps and Street View technology to drop you somewhere on the globe to wander around searching for clues to determine your location. Street signs, landscapes, flora, fauna, company logos, store signs and architecture all provide clues to help you figure out whether you’ve been beamed to the heart of Mongolia or deposited in downtown Nairobi. There are diverse challenges available and those who aren’t ready to go global can choose to materialize at landmarks, specific countries, or U.S. capitals. Once you’ve satisfied your wanderlust, hand it over to the kids for an entertaining boost to their geographic knowledge and critical thinking skills.
The Outer WildsAfter you’ve exhausted your virtual tour of the world, you might consider heading off planet to the Outer Wilds. The recent winner of BAFTA’s Best Game of 2020 award is sci-fi on the surface, but Outer Wilds is a gentle, carefully crafted masterpiece that rewards careful exploration. This time, you’re a rookie alien astronaut caught in a 22-minute time loop that always ends with a massive supernova, blackout and you wake up at the campfire starting position again. Rinse, but not quite repeat, as every churn of the Groundhog Day cycle reveals a new piece of the puzzle as you learn why you are trapped in the loop. It is ultimately a story about community and connection that caused one reviewer to confess that “Outer Wilds’ final revelations left a mark that will be on my soul...one that pulls at me every time I hear its simple, enthralling theme music.” 






Dungeons & DragonsIn case you didn’t notice, Dungeons & Dragons is back and bigger than ever. The iconic sword and sorcery tabletop role-playing game (RPG) with the eccentric dice has enjoyed a massive resurgence as an embodied alternative to online socialization. Besides its mainstream popularity, educators, therapists and parents have leveraged D&D to encourage literacy, STEM and social and emotional wellbeing. The pen-and-paper game was designed to be played around a table; however, it takes more than a lockdown to subdue. Wizards of the Coast curates a wealth of free tools and resources to help transition your D&D campaign online, and Polygon offers a guide to help make the shift with other RPGs. Roleplay is cathartic, and tabletop RPGs are ultimately collaborative storytelling experiences, a fundamental human impulse to strengthen social cohesion.






MinecraftMinecraft is in a category all its own, and a mainstay of every video game list ever. It’s the second best selling title of all time, the commercial video game most widely used in education and it remains enormously popular with players of all ages. Blockish avatars explore, mine and build structures ranging from simple homes to sophisticated circuits. Geographically distanced friends can collaborate on projects, and it’s even possible to build a computer or stage a live performance in the virtual world. For tens of millions of youth (and adults) around the world, Minecraft is a safe and familiar place to converse, compete, collaborate and, best of all, create.
Ring Fit Adventure and Just DanceFinally, physical exercise is a cornerstone of wellbeing, and games can help with that too. There is no end to online fitness videos but, let’s face it, sometimes the motivation just isn’t there. Some may be more willing to build up a sweat if they have to battle monsters and clear obstacles in a dungeon. Nintendo’s Ring Fit Adventure, the spiritual successor to Wii Sports, uses motion sensors, a plastic ring peripheral and an RPG narrative to incentivize a workout. It also includes more traditional guided exercise routines. If you prefer to boogie, Just Dance curates classic and contemporary dance hits and scores players on how well they can execute the guided moves, while co-op mode allows for dance offs and collaborative routines.


Dutch historian John Huizinga believed that games are magic circles whose self-contained rules and protocols separate them apart from the real word. Today, it might be more applicable to think of games as magic networks rather than circles, meaningfully connecting people far and wide through designed experiences, and offering a refuge from our refuge. A wayward Danish prince who was also trapped at home once said, “I could be bounded in a nutshell, and count myself a king of infinite space.” With a little help from modern technology, so can we.