Supporting Students’ Emotional Wellness During Remote Learning

To help support our student’s mental and emotional wellness, and at the recommendation of our Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Reopening Committee, Kent School District is implementing morning meetings for the first month of the 2020-21 school year during remote learning.

During these meetings, students will be engaging with their teachers and classmates to build connectedness between students, students and teachers, and students and the school. There will be time for check-ins to see how students are doing, and once a week will include a few brief questions to help us identify students in need of support.

Kindergarten through eighth grade teachers will also be working with their students to develop a Feel Good Plan, which helps students develop ways to work through big emotions like stress, boredom, and anger.

How You Can Help Support Your Student

September is National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, and during this especially challenging time, it is important to take time to talk about mental health with your student and family.  

Suicide is the second leading cause of death for teens 15 to 19 years old in Washington state and results from the 2018 Washington Healthy Youth Survey suggest almost half of middle and high school students have felt so sad or hopeless for two weeks or more that they stopped doing their usual activities. 

Here are some helpful resources for helping you talk with your child about mental health, adapted from the University of Washington’s Forefront Suicide Prevention.

Talk with Your Child

Especially during the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic and remote learning, it is important to set aside time to check-in with your child daily to listen and let them know you’re there for them.

Seek Help

If your child’s behavior concerns you, learn more about local mental health resources available to our families. If your child is experiencing a mental health emergency, please contact the local Crisis Line at (866) 427-4747.

Secure Medications & Firearms

Secure all medications in a lock box or home safe, including over-the-counter medications, to help prevent overdoses and suicides.

If your family owns firearms, make sure they are secure and your children do not have unsupervised access to them.  

KSD In The News

Check out Q13 Seattle’s video coverage of how we’re helping support students during remote learning. 

Article Source: Kent Meridian High School