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Welcoming back students

Subtitle
Checklist for teachers

Some families will be anxious about their children returning to school, while others will be excited. For students it will set off a flurry of feelings— from excitement to nervous butterflies.

Think about:

  • Welcoming families back and telling them what’s changed. Tell them what to expect on their children’s return, including safety practices eg hand cleaning, what to do instead of a hug, new social distancing and hygiene practices in place. Reassure them that the Ministry of Education and Health are working closely together to ensure students are safe in ECE and school environments
  • Letting everyone know about new routines, social distancing and hygiene practices you have in the classroom. Having routines, knowing how to keep healthy and  adjusting to these, is important for student wellbeing.
  • Most children will be excited about being back in school, re-engaging with their teachers, friends and learning. Be aware for some students, with nervous butterflies, the our main back to school fears are likely to be: worries about the virus and their safety; leaving their parents and siblings; adapting to changes; fears about peers (eg will I have the same friends, who will I sit next to, will others try to be superior, will I have trouble learning, being active/sport, do I have the right tech stuff; the right “in” clothes?). Be aware and flexible around peer fears and support a range of peer activities to promote inclusion.

Focus on:

  • Feelings they have about returning to school and learning. There will be a range of feelings. Help them notice that everyone has different feelings and all feelings are OK.
  • Changes that are happening to protect their health, social distancing practices and hygiene practices that have happened in New Zealand and across the world that are similar or different.
  • Fun things, or kind things they did, or noticed over the lockdown time.
  • Things they have been looking forward to about being back at school and ideas you can build on, to support being back together. Plan future activities together.
  • Planning a range of fun activities, to help diffuse any stressful times.
  • Being clear about new expectations with students and reinforcing the changes visually will support students to understand and comply with social distancing and hygiene changes.

As students return to school and we get back into routines, it will help to give specific times when they can choose activities (being aware of social distancing practices) that are done together, in smaller groups or alone.

Don’t forget - take a breath!

With all this preparation, your students will be in great shape. If you're relaxed and calm, they'll feel excited and ready to get to work.

For families new to the school

Giving special attention to creating a welcoming and supportive atmosphere for children and tamariki will be very important. You will have your own existing policies and practices to follow. In addition, due to changes under Covid-19 think about:

  • How you will welcome new students to your class eg a welcome pack, including any new safety or hygiene routines, social distancing practices, fun activities.
  • Assigning a peer buddy to navigate the day, to be with and support peer inclusion. Don’t forget to support and teach any new peer buddies about their role too and measures in place re social distancing.

  • Parent/school interactions during this time eg welcoming teleconference, to get to know the teacher, the school, to facilitate connections between parents, and provide information on parent to parent groups operating and how parents can get involved in activities through the school and online, as a form of social support.

  • Establishing ways for parent-run groups at school to make direct contact with new families to support their inclusion into the school community.

  • Support groups and services for families who may need additional help. How will you identify and support families to access help?

  • Ongoing positive contact with whānau. Develop a variety of ways to ensure students and their families can feel an ongoing connection with the school and classroom eg opportunities to volunteer help, positive feedback regarding participation, letters home that tell "all about what's happening", using apps like Seesaw

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