Resources

As we continue to navigate this new, albeit temporary, normal together know that you have been on my mind every single day. I imagine all the beautiful things that are coming from this…things like families working together to make dinner, playing together in backyards, pets who are thrilled their humans will be home ALL day again, finding new and creative ways to stay connected to family and friends, and having this moment to pause and remember all that is really important in life centers on our relationships and those we love. I also know, though, that there are many challenges. I think about those too…the financial impact, fear of the unknown, trying to do things you either never signed up to do or at least not in the way you are doing them— being a teacher, a non-stop referee for sibling shenanigans, missing the physical connection of family and friends, wishing you could go back to the office or wishing someone’s job would finally make it possible for them to work from home… Due to the recent extension on guidelines and schools not yet reopening, our offices will continue to be closed to the public at least through April 30. All of our administrative staff are now working from home. We will continue to share the best and most recent news and resources with you. We want you to be safe and to know you are loved and supported. Know that all of us from your St. Mark family miss you dearly, are cheering for you, and continue to prepare to be ready once we get to be with you again…that thought makes my heart smile! In the meantime, please take advantage of ways to stay connected: We are offering Social-Emotional Learning kits that can be picked up at our Little Free Library outside our office. We are also working to figure out ways to ensure more of you can access these kits in both Dubuque and Western Dubuque/ Be on the lookout for updates on that soon. These small gestures help us to feel connected to all of you. And we hope it provides opportunities for you and your family to maintain your emotional health during these tough times.Virtual enrichment activities and stories are shared daily on our Facebook pageReach out to a team member just to say hi or to ask any questions you may have: https://stmarkyouthenrichment.org/staff/Share a video clip via email to Jon at jaguilar@stmarkyouthenrichment.org. It could be a hello from the kids to our team, a project you are working on together, using the SEL kit, or any other thing you want to share to help keep us all connectedKeep the clips coming of you reading, virtual field trips, or sharing a talent. Families and the community as a whole are loving them! Please be safe, protect yourself and those you interact with, and be healthy. Most importantly, thank you, as always, for all the extraordinary things you do every day! We appreciate you! With love and big air hugs, Dawn View Parent Resources

by Jon Aguilar, Communications Specialist I’m not going to lie. When I hear stories from other parents, it’s not hard to see that adjusting to this temporary normal is going to be a little tough. Writing this I know it’s a little strange in my house. My dog is confused, my daughter doesn’t know what’s going on. To say things are different doesn’t quite fit. In response to the ongoing crisis, Conscious Discipline recently shared some ways that families can create a new sense of normal at home. 1. “Young children co-regulate with trusted adults and older children feed off our internal states.” Our kids feed off what we’re feeling. Take time to center yourself and acknowledge how you’re feeling. Be that “safe space” your children. Be open with each other, and be forgiving with yourself when you’re the one with a meltdown. 2. “Focus on safety and connection.” Our brains work best when we feel safe & connected. “Explain to children why life is different using the simplest terms possible. Answer their questions honestly, without offering too much detail or overwhelming them with information. Watch the news in private rather than having it running in the background all day. Limit social media for your children and yourself. Focus on statements like, ‘You’re safe. You can handle this. We will get through this together,’ instead of dismissing with comments like, ‘Everything’s okay,’ or ‘It’s not something you need to worry about.’Concious Discipline 3. “Create your new normal.” “The brain thrives on predictable patterns. . . . A successful daily schedule might be: Wake up, get dressed, eat breakfast, project time, outside time, lunch, free play, rest time, family time, dinner, wash/brush, PJs, read, bed. The activities during “project time” could vary between creative play (art, dress up, building blocks), academics, gardening, household projects, or exploring online resources like museum tours, dance classes or storytelling sites. Be certain your schedule has ample opportunities for play. Creating a rhythm to your days and knowing what to expect next cultivates a sense of safety.” Concious Discipline 4.  “Give children ways to contribute.”  In my own home. I’ve found my daughter always seems happier when she feels like she’s helping in some way around the house. These can be as small as making imaginary brownies while daddy makes supper, or helping stir. Conscious Discipline has an explanation for why this can be so helpful. “Contribution lights up the reward centers of the brain and releases feel-good chemicals like dopamine and serotonin. Verbally highlight the way your family is helping your community and hospitals by staying home. Draw pictures and make cards to mail, leave on friends’ and neighbors’ doorsteps, or drop off at a nursing home. ” Concious Discipline 5.   “Shift toward seeing the best.” “Notice your inner and outer speech. Are you ‘stuck at home’ with your kids, or do you have an opportunity to connect with family and keep the community safe while you work from home? Are you ‘stuck at work,’ or are you helping to keep the community running by staffing hospitals, grocery stores and other important functions in spite of the risks?”  Concious Discipline We’re all in this together. It’s so easy to get lost in what’s going wrong around us. I am continuously inspired by what’s going right. People are helping their neighbors. People in Italy are singing from their balconies. Choir concerts continuing through videos. Around every corner I see someone offering to help with daycare, trips to the store, or to lend a hand. We will get through this together. View complete article & supporting resources from Conscious Discipline.

Working from home? The Dubuque Area Chamber of Commerce just released 5 tips for those navigating the waters of working from home for the first time. Location, Location, Location: Find a dedicated and comfortable spot to work.Find a buddy: Help fill the socializing gap while working remotely by finding a colleague you can hit up when you feel the need to chat.Have a plan: When working from home keep a more structured daily schedule.Think about how you’re communicating: Go beyond email and use other digital tools that better replicate in-person communication.Remember everyone works differently: Not everyone wants to work from home, a shift can be stressful, communicate and share as much information as possible. Read the rest of the post at the DubuqueChamber.com.

Dear friends, I’m going to be honest. Things are a little scary right now. But as I would tell my St. Mark kids, “Things are going to be okay, we’re all in this together.” I can promise you that St. Mark will do all we can to share the best and most recent news and resources with all of you. I want nothing more than my team, my families, my St. Mark kids, and my communities to be safe and to feel safe, loved, and supported. My mind and my heart is on YOU! We want to minimize the risk this virus poses for our team and our children and families.Following the lead of the districts we serve and the Governor’s recommendation, all St. Mark programs and events will remain canceled or postponed while schools are closed.The St. Mark office will be closed to the public, and all office staff are being encouraged to work from home. The health and safety of our kids and families are of the utmost importance and doing this is the best way we can create that safe space. As our greatest friends, know that we at St. Mark are committed to the choices and sacrifices we must all make, even if it means closing our physical doors for just a little while. To our parents & kids: know we will do everything within our power to continue to support you, whether that’s sharing resources, hosting virtual enrichment activities, or still being that friend you can turn to. Our doors may be closed, but our phone lines, our emails, and our hearts are open. A list of resources will be available at www.stmarkyouthenrichment.org as well as any updates on our Facebook page. To our helpers and supporters: we’d love for you to share a clip of you reading or sharing a talent so we could share it with our families as a virtual enrichment and a way to keep families and kids engaged while they’re at home.  Email us a clip at jaguilar@stmarkyouthenrichment.org or submit a video online. Please be safe, protect yourself and those you interact with, and be healthy. Most importantly, thank you, as always, for all the extraordinary things you do every day for our children and youth. With love and big air hugs, -Dawn View Parent Resources