Public Health at Great River School

Dear families, 

Educators across the country, and here at Great River School, are noticing the heightened anxiety in the headlines regarding coronavirus showing up in the lives of kids at school. The increased volume of emails, inquiries, and questions about handshakes prompts us at school to share and declare some specific actions we’re focusing on to keep our physical and mental health in mind. We recognize that some families have concern about our daily ritual of handshakes to start the day, as well as other concerns about public health. We are focusing on keeping calm and being prepared to do our work.  This includes keeping routines at school and keeping focused on what we can influence. Please stay in touch with us if you have questions by emailing office@greatrierschool.org.  Below are resources! 

Thanks all!
Sam O’Brien
Head of School 

Some things to keep in mind as a community amidst real challenges to physical and mental health:

1. Handshakes & Handshake alternatives: 

   1. Elbow-bump! So popular! Eye contact, smile, and tap the elbow to greet or say goodbye!

   2. Thumbs-up! Classic. Don’t want to shake hands? Give a thumbs up and a smile. :-)

2. Focusing on age-appropriate information and best practices. (See NASP recommendations)

3. Sharing resources for you as a family:

• A cartoon in the form of a ‘zine booklet for kids and families (click for link) 

  • https://drive.google.com/file/d/1PYrKYfOBa4p-azI5z_46KJMbi1FSmL_Y/view

• A resource for parents from the National Association of School Psychologists (click for link)

  • https://www.nasponline.org/resources-and-publications/resources-and-podcasts/school-climate-safety-and-crisis/health-crisis-resources/talking-to-children-about-covid-19-(coronavirus)-a-parent-resource

• Hand washing reminders for “how to” in these times of attention to sanity and sanitization

  • https://www.stanfordchildrens.org/en/topic/default?id=teaching-kids-to-wash-their-hands-1-972