Hickory's Health & Wellness Corner

It has been over a month since we were together as a school family. Are you feeling sad? Worried? Anxious? Our regular routines have dramatically changed.

-Mrs. B & Mrs. G

Hi everyone!

I don't know about you, but my feelings have been all over the place! I feel happy to be home with my family most of the time, but sometimes I feel other things too! Sadness that our lives are so different, worry about the virus and also trying to help students from home, and even a little angry that I have to stay away from my friends and family. Sometimes I feel all of these at once. Other times, one of these feelings is bigger than the others. That is all normal! We all have to figure out how to EXPRESS these feelings and then COPE with these feelings. Expressing feelings means that we are getting the feelings out somehow. Maybe you can talk about them, or draw them out, or write your feelings down. Coping with feelings means we are dealing with the feelings or releasing them to help us feel better. We all have different strategies that help us cope with our feelings. Here is a list of popular and healthy ways to cope with feelings:

• Being outside - walk, bikes, play
• Reading - escape into a good book
• Art - draw, painting, crafting
• Write - write a list or a story
• Playing with family - board games, pretend, play with toys, video games
• Mindfulness - deep breaths, 5 senses activity, stretching or yoga
• Cooking or baking
• Cry - its OK to cry! It feels good to release tears!
• Scream into a pillow - it's OK to feel angry! Try to release it in a healthy way
• Squeeze a stress ball, stuffed animal or soft pillow

What is something that you like to do to cope with your feelings? Send a pic or video or an email to me, I'd love to hear from you!

Click on my video to see how I use the In My Heart activity! The link to the activity is below too!

We all need to make trips out for essential items - food, medications, household goods. Going out can make us feel uneasy.

• What should I disenfect?
• When do I wash my hands?
• When do I wear a mask?

The CDC has put together information to answer these questions & ways to stay safe when making those essential trips.

Link:

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/essential-goods-services.html#

Check out all of these Squirrels that lost teeth over the last week!

Keep sending those pictures! If your child loses a tooth, send a photo with his or her name to angela.gottesfeld@hcps.org. Can't wait to see all of those toothless smiles!

During our "Stay at Home" it's getting harder to come up with healthy meal options for breakfast, lunch & dinner. It is very important to keep a balanced diet during this extended period of time at home.

Here are 5 Health Eating Tips from Unicef (https://www.unicef.org/coronavirus/easy-affordable-and-healthy-eating-tips-during-coronavirus-disease-covid-19-outbreak):

1. Keep Up Fruit & Vegetable Intake
2. Swap in healthy dried or canned alternatives when fresh produce s not available
3. Build Up a Stock of Healthy Snacks
4. Limit Highly Processed Foods
5. Make cooking & eating a FUN and meaningful part of your family routine

Do you have a fun recipe to share? Maybe you could take a picture or send a video making a healthy meal at home with your family. Email your video, picture or recipe to Mrs. G (angela.gottesfeld@hcps.org) & we will share in our next Newsletter.

The WHO (World Health Organization) has created a book to help children understand COVID-19. Here is the link to access the book & review with your children- https://interagencystandingcommittee.org/system/files/2020-04/My%20Hero%20is%20You%2C%20Storybook%20for%20Children%20on%20COVID-19.pdf

I'm the school nurse at Hickory & my job is to support the health & wellness of our students. This is my second year as a School Nurse but my 16th year in nursing. I LOVE being a School Nurse! I live in White Hall, MD with my husband Dave & our 2 daughters, Izzy (9) & Ava (7).

Email: angela.gottesfeld@hcps.org
Website: https://hies.ss18.sharpschool.com/home
Location: Hickory Elementary School, Conowingo Road, Bel Air, MD, USA
Phone: 443-338-3609

Hi students & families!

I'm the school counselor at Hickory and my job is to support the social and emotional well-being of all students! This is my 9th year at Hickory and I absolutely love my job and helping students learn about life and friends and most importantly, their feelings. I live in Bel Air with my husband Dave and our two boys, Zach (4) and Jake (1), they keep me busy when I am not helping students :) My work number is listed below, please don't hesitate to call or email me if your student needs anything during this time.

Email: Christina.Bland@hcps.org
Website: https://hies.ss18.sharpschool.com/home
Location: Hickory Elementary School, Conowingo Road, Bel Air, MD, USA
Phone: 443-503-0883
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HIEScounseling/