Principal Offers Tips To Reduce Anxiety As Kids Go Back To School

Tampa FL

16 September, 2021

1:02 PM

Description

TAMPA BAY, FL — Back-to-school preparations were very different this year for 8-year-old Olivia Gill from Wesley Chapel. Aside from the butterflies that most students get in anticipation of the first day of school, she also worries about contracting coronavirus variants. "I was looking forward to playing at recess again," said Olivia, who is a third-grade student at Pride Elementary School in Hillsborough County. "Now, I'm afraid of catching the virus, getting sick and ending up in the hospital." Olivia is not alone in the way she feels. Thirteen-year-old Cameron Drum, who lives in Apopka, Florida, said, "My biggest concern was for my safety because I didn't really want to get sick." While Cameron will do his best to stay safe, he cannot control what his middle-school classmates may do. "I was worried there might be some students not taking safety precautions." Like Olivia and Cameron, many students across the country are experiencing additional anxieties as they leave behind their virtual classrooms and return to in-person learning. "As students prepare to return, they will be facing a host of intensified challenges," said Anthious Boone, an elementary school principal in Pennsylvania. He cited mask-wearing and learning how to socialize with peers again as some of these challenges. But parents can help prepare their children for what may be a tough transition back to the traditional classroom. "As parents endeavor to help their children cope with potential back-to-school anxiety," Boone said. "it is absolutely imperative that they stay well-connected with both the school and their children." Olivia's parents, Andre and Julia Gill, have taken a balanced approach to help their daughter reduce her anxiety. "We had to prepare her without scaring her," said Julia. "We did practical, fun things like allowing Olivia to pick out her masks, with cute decorations like donuts. She also chose her favorite fragrances for hand sanitizer. At the same time, we had many brief discussions about the importance of being safe and protecting herself and our family." What has especially been a helpful resource for many parents, including the Gill family, is jw.org, the official website of Jehovah's Witnesses that is free to all. The Gill family found the Bible drama, "Daniel: A Lifetime of Faith," to be very helpful in teaching Olivia how to handle difficult situations with bravery. Although the pandemic has drastically adjusted the norms at schools, what does not change is that students will adapt to challenges and continue learning. Back-to-school supplies were a bit different this year for 12-year-old Audrey Pan. Along with a day planner, an array of pens and a thick notebook, Audrey added face masks, hand sanitizer and disinfectant wipes. "I'm not sure how it's going to completely work," said Audrey of her middle school in Hacienda Heights, California. "How many kids are going to be in each classroom? Are we going to have a table where we sit together?" Audrey, like many across the country, spent the last school year in a virtual classroom interacting with other students and teachers via only a computer screen. Going back to in-person learning with potential restrictions only added to her anxiety. Audrey's parents, John and Michelle Pan, freely email teachers with questions and regularly talk with Audrey about her day. They also designate every Saturday afternoon as family time. As Jehovah's Witnesses, they look for practical Bible-based advice to help with any issues or concerns. "We review how to display Christian qualities such as love and patience and have role-playing sessions to listen to how Audrey would react to stressful or dangerous situations," said John. "This has helped Audrey feel confident about returning to school." While coronavirus variants have stoked pandemic anxieties, the Pans have endeavored not to overlook other challenges their daughter may face. Like the Martinez family, the Pan family also takes advantage of one of their favorite resources, jw.org. Topics like "What's a Real Friend?" and "Beat a Bully Without Using Your Fists" are addressed in a video series for young people that Audrey recommends to everyone. "The website has some really cool information that has helped me prepare for back to school," she said. "I think it can really benefit any student who is nervous about going back. They should really check it out!" RELEVANT REFERENCES (JW.ORG) · https://www.jw.org/en/bible-teachings/teenagers/ask/distance-learning/ · https://www.jw.org/en/bible-teachings/teenagers/ask/get-along-with-my-teacher/ · https://www.jw.org/en/bible-te... RELEVANT REFERENCES (SECULAR) · https://www.nytimes.com/2021/08/15/us/covid-school-reopening-anxiety.html · https://www.wbtv.com/2021/08/15/back-school-what-can-you-expect-this-year-when-students-staff-return-classroom/ · https://www.keranews.org/health-wellness/2021-08-14/5-tips-on-how-to-cope-with-back-to-school-anxiety · https://www.cnn.com/2021/08/23/health/school-refusal-psychology-wellness/index.html