Presented by ProSolutions /March 2020
It is very important to remember that children look to adults for guidance on how to react to stressful events. If parents seem overly worried, children’s anxiety may rise. Parents should reassure children that health and school officials are working hard to ensure that people throughout the country stay healthy. However, children also need factual, age appropriate information about the potential seriousness of disease risk and concrete instruction about how to avoid infections and spread of disease. Teaching children positive preventive measures, talking with them about their fears, and giving them a sense of some control over their risk of infection can help reduce anxiety.
Remain calm and reassuring.
- Children will react to and follow your verbal and nonverbal reactions.
- What you say and do about COVID-19, current prevention efforts, and related events can either increase or decrease your children’s anxiety.
- If true, emphasize to your children that they and your family are fine.
- Remind them that you and the adults at their school are there to keep them safe and healthy.
- Let your children talk about their feelings and help reframe their concerns into the appropriate perspective.
Make yourself available.
- Children may need extra attention from you and may want to talk about their concerns, fears, and questions.
- It is important that they know they have someone who will listen to them; make time for them.
- Tell them you love them and give them plenty of affection.
Avoid excessive blaming.
- When tensions are high, sometimes we try to blame someone.
- It is important to avoid stereotyping any one group of people as responsible for the virus.
- Bullying or negative comments made toward others should be stopped and reported to the school.
- Be aware of any comments that other adults are having around your family. You may have to explain what comments mean if they are different than the values that you have at home.
Monitor television viewing and social media.
- Limit television viewing or access to information on the Internet and through social media. Try to avoid watching or listening to information that might be upsetting when your children are present.
- Speak to your child about how many stories about COVID-19 on the Internet may be based on rumors and inaccurate information.
- Talk to your child about factual information of this disease—this can help reduce anxiety.
- Constantly watching updates on the status of COVID-19 can increase anxiety—avoid this.
- Be aware that developmentally inappropriate information (i.e., information designed for adults) can cause anxiety or confusion, particularly in young
- Engage your child in games or other interesting activities instead.
Maintain a normal routine to the extent possible.
- Keep to a regular schedule, as this can be reassuring and promotes physical health.
- Encourage your children to keep up with their schoolwork and extracurricular activities, but don’t push them if they seem overwhelmed.
Be honest and accurate.
- In the absence of factual information, children often imagine situations far worse than reality.
- Don’t ignore their concerns, but rather explain that at the present moment very few people in this country are sick with COVID-19.
- Children can be told this disease is thought to be spread between people who are in close contact with one another—when an infected person coughs or sneezes.
- It is also thought it can be spread when you touch an infected surface or object, which is why it is so important to protect yourself.
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March 17, 2020
Dear Parents,
Please click on the link and complete the questionnaire located below. We need to know how many parents will participate in our meal provision plan. If we are able to deliver meals at your regular pickup/drop off points, will you participate?
Thank you for your continued assistance, support and understanding of these "new normal" times.
Sincerely,
Susie D. Wilcher,
Executive Director/Head Start Director
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/RVB8Z57
March 16, 2020
Dear Parents/Guardians and Staff
Washington County Head Start/GA Pre-k centers, Davisboro and Sandersville, will be closed March 13,2020 through April 13, 2020.
We are doing everything possible to insure the health and safety of enrolled students and staff to help diminish the spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19).
We will provide an at home curriculum for students, to be provided at a later date. We will also provide meals to enrolled children.
You will be informed of these schedules not later than March 17, 2020.
Thank you for your continued support and understanding of our efforts to stay safe and healthy.
Stay well
Susie D. Wilcher, Executive Director/ Head Start Director
_________________________________________________
To: All Staff
From: Susie D. Wilcher, Executive Director, Wash. Co. NB & PW Club, Inc., Head Star/GA Pre-K
Date: March 12, 2020
Re: COVID-19 (coronavirus)
COVID-19 Travel
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has updated its travel guidelines regarding coronavirus (COVID-19). As we prepare for Spring Break we will continue to provide you and our families with updated information as it is made available.
The most updated notices indicate for individuals to avoid nonessential travel to the following countries:
China
Iran
Italy
Japan
South Korea
Regarding cruises:
CDC recommends travelers defer all cruise ship travel at this time.
We are requiring team members who may be planning to travel to these countries or taking a cruise to self-report to human resources and their supervisor as soon as they know of these plans. We ask that you reconsider travel plans that fall within these categories as you will be required to wait for the 14-day incubation period (beginning the day of return to the U.S.) before you would be allowed to return to work. Because of our need to provide ongoing continuity of service, we will be unable to approve any leave for team members requiring a 14-day incubation period at the conclusion of Spring Break. As always, an unapproved absence for work are grounds for corrective action up to and including termination.
As a reminder, the following are CDC recommendations to help prevent infection of respiratory viruses:
Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
Avoid touching eyes, nose, and mouth.
Cough or sneeze into an elbow or use a tissue and place immediately in the trash.
Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
Stay home when sick.
Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces
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M E M O R A N D U M
TO: Washington County NB & PW Club, Inc., Head Start/GA Pre-K Families
Davisboro and Sandersville Head Start
Glascock County Head Start
Johnson County Head Start
Wilkes County Head Start
FROM: Susie D. Wilcher, Executive Director
SUBJECT: Travel- coronavirus (COVID-19)
DATE: March 12, 2020
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has updated its travel guidelines regarding coronavirus (COVID-19). We are aware that many families are looking ahead to Spring Break. Therefore, we will continue to provide you with updated information as it is made available.
The most updated notices indicate for individuals to avoid nonessential travel to the following countries:
China
Iran
Italy
Japan
South Korea
Regarding cruises:
CDC recommends travelers defer all cruise ship travel at this time.
We ask all individuals who may be planning to travel to these countries or taking a cruise to self-report to their child’s center manager as soon as they know of these plans. These individuals must wait for the 14-day incubation period (beginning the day of return to the U.S.) to expire before returning to school. Students will be provided at home activities during this 14-day incubation period.
As a reminder, the following are CDC recommendations to help prevent infection of respiratory viruses:
Keep sick children at home until they are fever-free without medication for 24 hours.
Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
Avoid touching eyes, nose, and mouth.
Cough or sneeze into an elbow or use a tissue and place immediately in the trash.
Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
Stay home when sick.
Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces - including coats and backpacks.
Please know that schools and buses are thoroughly cleaned daily and disinfected frequently.
More information on the coronavirus is available at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus. Thank you for partnering with us to reinforce the above preventative measures at home.
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The Executive Board Meeting will be held on October 16, 2019, at 1:00 p.m. at the Administrative Office in Sandersville, Georgia.
The Policy Council will meet on November 12, 2019.
Georgia Head Start Association
State Conference
St. Simons Island, Georgia
Georgia Head Start at the Capitol
January 23, 2019
Georgia Govenor Brian Kemp; State Representative, Mack Jackson; Senator, David Lucas; State Representative, Rick Williams; Executive Director, Susie Wilcher; Coordinator, Joyce Gardner @headstart.gov
What's New at Washington County NB&PW Club, Inc.
Head Start Program & Georgia Pre-K Program