Dear Parents, Caregivers, and Guardians:

No doubt the new realities of the COVID-19 pandemic have set in. Your familiar family routines have been disrupted as you now juggle the roles of parenting, teaching, and quite possibly also working from home. It is tough! We fully realize how much is being asked of you and we appreciate how hard you are working. Thank-you!

One of the roles of a school social work clinician is to support you in your parenting and as such, we have included some helpful tips to guide you during this time (see also Triple P Tip Sheet below). You may look at these tips and be assured that you are already doing what you need to be doing!

Above all else, we are encouraging you to, 1) maintain a positive connection and a good relationship with your child; 2) be kind to yourself as these are unprecedented times and no one is expected to handle it perfectly; and 3) reach out to your team (teacher, guidance counsellor, resource teacher or clinician) with any questions or requests for support. There is also information regarding supports and resources on the Garden Valley School Division Website that might be helpful.

It will be okay. Together we will get through this.

Sincerely,

The Garden Valley School Division Social Work Clinicians

• Jessica Askin – J.R. Walkof School, Emerado Centennial School and Prairie Dale School
• Kayla Friesen – Parkland Elementary School, Pine Ridge Elementary School and Winkler Elementary School
• Gwen Heinrichs – Garden Valley Collegiate, Southwood School and Hochfeld School
• Candace Funk – Northlands Parkway Collegiate, Plum Coulee School, Border Valley School and Blumenfeld School

Triple P Tip Sheet - a top parenting tips document for parents and carers during COVID-19. The document provides practical suggestions on how to reassure children, and how to create wellness in the midst of new family routines.