Return From Winter Break With Success

Coming back to school after winter break can be difficult. The 2020 school year will be no different with its plethora of unique circumstances. Students and families across the country will return to school and need time to adjust to the upcoming semester like never before.  Whether you are returning face-to-face, virtually, or a combination of both, you can do a few things to set yourself up for success. Check out the eight tips below to find success as you embrace returning to school after winter break.

Choose Your Mindset

Returning to school after winter break is an adjustment for students and staff. In a typical school year, it takes a few days for everyone to get back into the swing of things. Most students are off schedule and tired, and many feel unregulated due to their lack of routine and predictability.

Strive to create a healthy mindset that will best serve you. Mentally prepare for the fact that returning to school this year may bring more unique challenges than usual. If it works for you, use visualization and positive self-talk to prepare yourself for what is ahead. Set yourself up for success by creating a plan for maintaining a positive mindset and optimistic outlook.

Make Connections

Many students crave connection and attention. After the break, many are returning to school in person for the first time this school year. The lack of social interactions has likely taken a toll, and students seek adult and peer attention. Your positive attention and kind words can make all the difference in your students' lives.

Do your best to do quick check-ins with as many students as possible, using their names as frequently as possible. During the first few days back from winter break, set students up for success by being visible at the start of the school day, recess, lunch, and dismissal, making connections with as many kids as possible.

Check out these posts for tips on how to organize your contact documentation and how to support school staff.

Spot the Strugglers

Some students will struggle more than others as they return from winter break. Some students were virtual and are coming back face-to-face for the first time this school year. This could be the first time a student has been seen by someone outside their family in months.

They may need extra support. Pay special attention to students who look like they are struggling or may need to talk to someone and reach out for assistance.

Think of how you want teachers to refer students to you and create a system that works well for you. Could you email or speak at a staff meeting to let the teachers and staff know how to contact you and how they can refer students to you? Having a system in place will help you best serve your students, organize your responsibilities, and maintain your sanity while helping to minimize over-referrals from teachers. 

Reach Out with Action Plans

Take the time to reach out to parents of students you are concerned about. Whether it be academic, attendance, or behavioral concerns, work with the family to set their student up for success right from the start. Help break down barriers and create an action plan for success with the parents and student (depending on the student’s age). Work with the families to review expectations and develop a plan for how the student will meet those expectations.  

Be proactive in considering any differences students face when returning to school after winter break. Has the format for students attending school changed or remained the same? Will students have completely different learning experiences returning from winter break than when they left? What is expected of them now, and how can you best help?

Brainstorming possible problems and solutions will help you have a much smoother start when everyone returns to school after winter break. 

COVID Friendly Lessons

It's our job to help build and develop social-emotional skills. With COVID, our job is to keep our students safe and adhere to social distancing guidelines. However, achieving both can be challenging since most of our lessons involve students working in teams and refining their social skills through peer interactions. We must find creative ways to help students develop their skills while keeping them safe from one another.

I have started using digital activities to teach social skills while keeping kids safe. Digital activities can be done as a whole group on a Smartboard or individually using an iPad or tablet. They can also be assigned to students in Google Classroom. 

I have been loving using Google Slides lessons with my students. For my virtual students, it is so easy to pop into a Google Classroom, share my screen, and play a fun coping skills game with my students. I keep my lessons interactive and engaging by using fun graphics and pulling in holidays and school themes.

Practice Patience

The last time most students had a break from school was spring break. Many students left school thinking they’d be back in a week, which ended up many months before they roamed their school hallways again. Some students still aren’t back in the classroom and haven't been since that break in March.  Many students feel unsure about life's unpredictability and may need extra support sorting out their thoughts and concerns. Be extra patient with everyone, including yourself, to the best of your ability. We are all trying to adapt to new norms.

Community Resources

Many families are struggling financially and emotionally. Compile a list of available resources to assist families in your community. Find out how to refer families and best utilize their resources and services. When a family reaches out to you, having a list you can refer to quickly will be such a timesaver.   

Create A Return from Winter Break Care Plan

2020 has been a special kind of stressful. Working in education comes with its fair share of challenges and chaos; 2020 came with a special kind of stress that I cannot describe in words. Dedicated time for self-care is more important now than ever before. One thing that works well for me to help prevent getting overwhelmed is having a self-care plan. I don’t mean taking a spa day, although that sounds divine. I mean being intentional with my care like I would be with the care of my children.

For me, my self-care looks like:

• Setting boundaries with others by saying no when I need to
• Going to bed early and waking up before anyone else to get some quiet time
• Going on walks to help organize my thoughts and clear my mind
• Taking a moment to breathe with an ice-cold midday Dr. Pepper
• Watching stake game shows where everyone is friendly to each other
• Reframing negative thoughts as they arise

Take the time to determine which self-care strategies help you be the best version of yourself and create the time to implement them. Listen to your body and speak kindly to yourself. If you are struggling, seek professional assistance or talk to someone about your concerns.

Take care of yourself so you can better take care of everyone else.

We Did It

The 2020 school year was hectic and challenged everyone to adapt, persevere, and grow from their experiences. Although extremely difficult, we pulled together as educators and did what was best for our students. We don't know what 2021 will bring, but following the tips above will help make the start of the year a little bit easier.

What tips for returning to school after winter break would you include? Let us know in the comments section below!