FWISD Launches Social, Emotional Well-being Project To Stay Connected With Community During Closure
During this pandemic, the Fort Worth ISD is providing resources to ensure the social and emotional well-being of students, teachers and community members.
In addition to “meals to go” and Learning at Home for students, the District has launched lessons and live social media check-ins for students and teachers and community members focused on social and emotional well-being. The live social media check-ins, patterned after Restorative Practices circles, launched Friday, March 20, 2020, and is facilitated by the District’s Restorative Practices Program in conjunction with the Equity and Excellence Division. The check-in is a way to connect with the community during the District closure because of coronavirus precautions.
“Because we know that this was an unexpected event, and probably for most of our students a traumatic event, and not knowing when there’s going to be an end, we wanted to make sure that we were helping to support families at home through the social and emotional wellness part of it,” said Dr. Dorene Benavidez, FWISD Equity and Professional Learning executive director.
Daily, Restorative Practice specialists will broadcast two brief Facebook Live events in which they check in with students and teachers. The following broadcasts are scheduled at 9 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday on the FWISD Restorative Practices Community Facebook page.
Links to the live check-ins will be shared on Twitter and Instagram.
A weekly lesson, posted on social media and FWISD’s Learning At Home webpage, will accompany the daily check-ins. The first lesson, made available, Monday, March 23, 2020, focuses on talking to children about the coronavirus.
Up to 10 weeks of lessons – focusing on topics such as dealing with trauma and anxiety; self care; mindfulness; family building; problem solving and staying centered --have been prepared for families and teachers that can continue throughout the spring or when in-person classes resume.
“I think these topics …will be of critical interest and importance to our community,” said Sherry Breed, FWISD Equity and Excellence chief.
Follow the discussion on Facebook at FWISD Restorative Practices Community, Fort Worth_RP on Twitter and FWISD _RP on Instagram. Weekly, lessons will be available on the Learning At Home web page.
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