Themaid News | Monday, 16 March 2020

Dear Parents,

Last week was an unprecedented week with the sudden, indefinite closure of schools in country, in the region and worldwide. 

With the World Health Organization declaring COVID 19 a pandemic and global emergency, these are very challenging times for everyone.

I am extremely proud of our teachers who have come to school every day, business as usual, and posted online learning from the very first hour of closure. This took preparation and planning, and I am very happy that as a school, we were ready.

We realise that some parents are feeling the strain of balancing their usual life and schoolwork and I would ask you to contact the Class Teacher if you need assistance. From next week, teachers will be posting video lessons and teaching students new content so please encourage your child to follow Class Dojo (Primary), Microsoft Teams (Year 5, Year 6 and Secondary) and Show my Homework (Secondary). You can watch a guide to using  Microsoft Teams here.

It is important to remember that children are looking for reassurance and cues from teachers and parents on how to react and respond. They may be alarmed or afraid. Uncertainty around what will happen can cause fear and worry. It is important to use positive coping strategies to improve our students’ outlook and overall well-being.

Here are some tips to build resilience in such situations:

Stay Positive

Remember to keep calm. If you are anxious or afraid, your child will pick up on this. It is a good idea to have panic-free discussions with him/her about the Coronavirus and ways of preventing the spread of it.

Stick to the Facts

Let your child know that the Ministry of Public Health and the Qatari government is doing everything they can to control the situation and keep the public informed.

Always highlight the positive news such as:

• Precautionary measures are being implemented everywhere.
• Doctors around the world are looking for ways to address the Coronavirus.
• Many people with the virus have recovered.

Consider Media Consumption

Make sure your child is aware that that not everything they hear or see is real. Teach them to always consider the source and fact-check. A reliable site is the Ministry of Public Health website. Be mindful of how much time your child is spending on social media and consuming information.

No doubt, students are missing school, their friends and their teachers. The amount of work being completed and posted by students is incredible and we hope to keep up the positive spirit. If you face any additional challenges, please get in touch and I will do my best to assist.

Ms Djedid

Head of Campus, Themaid