- Bellflower Unified School District
- COVID-19
- March 26, 2020 Handling COVID-19 in a Healthy Manner
COVID-19
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COVID-19
- November 9 - LACOE Townhall Event
- October 10 Update - Student Cohorts and Atheletics
- August 20 Update - Childcare
- August 18 Update
- August 17 Update - First Day of School
- August 14 Update - FAQs
- August 7 Update - FAQs
- July 30 Update - Beginning of the School Year Information
- July 30 Update - FAQs
- July 28 Update - Distance Learning Survey
- July 20 Update - Fall Sports
- July 17 Update - Distance Learning in the Fall
- July 15 Update: 2020-2021 School Year
- May 29, 2020 Update - 2019-2020 Temporary Grading
- May 29, 2020 Update - Summer Learning Resources
- May 22, 2020 Update - Graduations
- May 15, 2020 Update
- April 2, 2020 - Food Distribution Change
- April 1, 2020
- March 31, 2020 - Online Learning Resources
- March 31, 2020 - Technical Support
- March 26, 2020 Handling COVID-19 in a Healthy Manner
- March 25, 2020
- March 24, 2020
- March 23, 2020
- March 23, 2020 - Updated Meal Information
- March 20, 2020
- March 18, 2020 - Meal Information
- March 18, 2020 - Educational Resources
- March 17, 2020
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Handling COVID-19 information in a healthy manner
Children and adults watching the news, reading content on-line and in newspapers, and overhearing others talk about the current coronavirus pandemic, may feel scared, confused, or anxious. Some may react right away, while others may show signs that they are having a difficult time later. Every person can support wellness and healing by providing, teaching, and implementing the following five resilience strategies:
Sense of Safety
- It is difficult to overcome adversity and achieve success when we are experiencing fear and feel threatened. A sense of safety is not only about being physically safe, it is about physical, emotional, environmental, and financial safety. If we feel as if our loved ones are also threatened, then our sense of safety remains compromised.
- Routines are very important for students. Disasters, forced isolation, and stressful situations often result in disrupted routines. Creating new routines or re-establishing usual routines can help students feel safe.
- Students need to be able to express and communicate their feelings in a safe and supportive environment. Every student has their own way of expressing emotions. Sometimes engaging in a creative activity, such as playing, drawing, or journaling can facilitate this process.
- Maintain a sensitive and caring environment. Students need adult support and further attention during difficult or stressful times.
- Adults can provide comfort, stability, and predictability to students during times of crisis and uncertainty.
Ability to Calm
- Students take their cues from the adults around them. How adults react to a crisis or emergency is important.
- It is important for adults to be aware of their reactions and to be calm, listen to students be compassionate, and offer reassurance.
- Practice taking a deep breath to calm
Self-efficacy and community efficacy
- It is important for students to engage in help-seeking behavior. They need to develop and use this skill. Moreover, it is crucial that students understand that “if something unpredictable happens, I can count on my school community to support and help me heal.”
- Fear and anxiety about communicable diseases can lead to social stigma of people and places. Stopping stigma is important to helping communities and its members withstand and recover from stress.
Connectedness
- A positive relationship with an adult at home and school is one of the most important factors that builds resilience. It develops a sense of belonging, contributes to social-emotional well being, and contributes to academic success.
- Providing opportunities to list and be present for students to express emotions is helpful.
- Minimize exposure to media that might promote fear or panic.
- Provide factual information about what is going on, and how to reduce risk, in age appropriate language.
- Stay informed from credible sources such as, Los Angeles Department of Public Health, and Centers for Disease Control (see resources below).
Hope
- Current events may leave many feeling fear, overwhelmed, and vulnerable. The uncertainty may create feelings of desperation and hopelessness for the future.
- Show children how they can play a role in their own safety (e.g., show them effective handwashing, covering their cough, social distancing).
- It is important that adults in schools maintain calm and be optimistic for the future. Allowing students to express themselves and feel empowered in their lives and the decisions they make are important, as well as communicating high expectations for their academic success and well-being.
Additional Resources
- LA Department of Public Health
- Centers for Disease Control
- Parent/Caregiver Guide to Helping Families Cope With the Coronavirus Disease 2019
- Safe Kids Inc. COVID-19 H.E.R.O. Companion Guides for Parents
Agencies/organizations that appear on this page do not constitute an endorsement of the Bellflower Unified School District (BUSD), Student Health & Human Services, nor should an exclusion of other websites be considered intentional. Opinions expressed are solely those of the host website and not necessarily those of BUSD. Any advertising presented is solely the responsibility of the host website and not BUSD. Additionally, references, links, products or services displayed by the websites are not to be considered endorsements of BUSD.