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.”

"Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that."

-Martin Luther King Jr.

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.

Check out the Daily Coronavirus Parenting Tip by Child Mind Institute. Each day the Institute releases a short video with tips from a variety of professionals. You can even check out the tips from previous days!

Parents Helping Parents Online Support Groups are free, confidential, and anonymous. These groups serve as a safe place for parents to express frustrations and concerns about their children and families and get advice from other parents who understand.

Parental Stress Line: You don’t have to keep doing it alone. Parents Helping Parents can help. Confidential and anonymous 24 hours/day, 7 days/week across Massachusetts. Call 1-800-632-8188.

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!

Check out PlayWorks Play At Home Playbook. In it you will find fun, active games to learn with your kids. If you don't feel like reading, check out their Youtube playlist instead!

PlayWorks is also broadcasting Play at Home Recess every weekday on Facebook at 12 a.m., 2 p.m., and 4 p.m. (EST). Tune in for stretching and warm-ups, interactive games, cheers, and cooldown activities.

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.

Each week we will add a new clip from Mindful Moments for Kids by Kira Willey. This week practice the Flower Breath breathing exercise with your kids.

Another way to practice mindfulness is to slow things down and check in with how our mind and bodies are feeling. Use a feelings chart like the one below to ask your children, "How is your mind and body feeling and why?"

And for other fun ways for kids to practice mindful breathing, we love the book "Alphabreaths" by Christopher Willard. This week we will practice the "Hugging" breath and the "Heart" breath.

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

1. What does a perfect day look like to you?

2. If you could have any animal for a pet, what would it be?

3. What is your favorite smell? What memory does it remind you of?

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 one of us!

• Guidance Counselor: melina.jacovides@watertown.k12.ma.us
• School Psychologist: kelley.cochrane@watertown.k12.ma.us
• School Social Worker: crystal.johnson@watertown.k12.ma.us
  

We're here to help:)