Each week, members of the Student Support Team at Lowell are here to provide you with resources that can help bring steadiness to your lives during these uncertain times. Each edition of The Calming Corner will have information for the whole family that can provide balance, social-emotional support, and entertainment into your home.

Your house has now turned into a classroom, an office, a gym, but most importantly, still remains your home. Each day may look different and routines are shifting but that is okay. We hope that the resources provided in this newsletter will give you an alternative to academic content and support learning beyond the “classroom.”

"Although the world is full of suffering, it is also full of the overcoming of it". ~Helen Keller

We know this is a strange time for everyone. We're all learning together how to work, learn, and spend much more time at home and indoors than before. Hopefully, everyone is settling into a new normal routine, whatever that might look like for your family.

Looking for more books for yourself or your kids? While the Watertown Public Library is closed, you can still check out electronic books through the free App "Libby". All you need is your library card number. And if you don't have a library card, you can still open one while the library is closed. Go to the Watertown Public Library website for more information on accessing free library resources and entertainment platforms from home.

Even though we're all practicing social distancing, it's important to keep active and do something inside or outside each day especially as the weather gets warmer! Whether it's taking a walk in your neighborhood, doing yoga, or just having a dance party!

Indoors or outdoors, try animal races. Hop like a bunny or frog, squat and waddle like a duck.

Play Indoor Balloon Ball. Use ping pong paddles or just your hands to play "Keep it Up" with a balloon, or use masking tape to mark off a court for Balloon Volleyball.

Take a walk in the woods at Hunnewell Town Forest in Natick and you will discover fairies!

And don't forget to check out the PE teachers' weekly Smore for fun activities.

Practicing mindfulness can be very soothing. Some apps include Mindful Powers (available for Apple and Android devices) and SOS Method (available for Apple and Android devices). Headspace is another great app.

If you want to unplug and practice mindfulness that's a great idea too! Try 5 Finger Breathing with your kids. Inhale and exhale as you trace each finger on one hand.

And for fun ways for kids to practice mindful breathing, we love the book "Alphabreaths" by Christopher Willard. This week, continue with Elevator Breaths.

Here are some more conversation starters for your next family mealtime:

Play the "5 Senses Game". Go around the table and take turns discovering and naming:

5 things you can see

4 things you can feel

3 things you can hear

2 things you can smell

1 thing you can taste

Make your own Calm Down Corner in your home! At school, our classrooms have Calming Corners where we can all take a break. This handy guide gives strategies to create your own!

Kelley Cochrane - School Psychologist

Brian Connors - Behavior Specialist

Melina Jacovides - Guidance Counselor

Crystal Johnson - Social Worker

Greg Roberts - Team Chair

If you have any questions and you're not sure who to ask; reach out to your guidance counselor: melina.jacovides@watertown.k12.ma.us

or school psychologist: kelley.cochrane@watertown.k12.ma.us or social worker: crystal.johnson@watertown.k12.ma.us. We're here to help:)