Health, Wellness, Guidance

Students Need Chances to Connect

Supporting students’ need for social interaction while physically distancing When asked about social distancing, Peter Slavin, president of Massachusetts General Hospital, put into words a thought I keep having: “I prefer the term ‘physical distancing,’ it seems we need social connections now more than ever before.” For middle schoolers, with the developmental desire to fit

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Four Ways Educators Can Help Students While Schools Are Shut Down

Supporting students during this changing and uncertain time My 11-year-old son recently got an email from his coach, Ava Benach, on what was supposed to be his first day of baseball practice. “Hi team,” she wrote. “I wanted to send a brief link of Juan Soto that shows you what a remarkably disciplined hitter he

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Six Ways to Help Middle Schoolers Create a Kind, Trusting Culture

Activities that bring perspective, invite empathy, and build social skills “I can’t believe what happened,” Janine* said. Her daughter Greta’s best friend overheard two girls calling her a stuck-up loser, so she secretly videotaped their conversation and texted Greta the evidence. Janine was bewildered. “How could her friend think this was a good idea?” she

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