Wellness Care as a Means of Resilience
At Shanghai Community International School (SCIS) we are more than a school, we are a community. As such, we want to be there for you. Our amazing team of counselors has put together well-being resources for you and your family. From kids' yoga to stress relief to emotional assistance they are ensuring that our community is being supported no matter what the need is. Along with these resources, our counselors and community members have given us their words and top tips to help us make the most out of being at home.
Words From Our Counselors
These past four weeks have turned our lives upside down and put our collective resilience to the test. Faced with so much ongoing uncertainty – from lockdown timelines to unreliable access to food and water, it is not surprising that we are feeling stressed and overwhelmed. Here are a few reminders and strategies that can help us through these challenging times:
It is normal to feel stressed, exhausted, overwhelmed, and experience ups and downs. We need to mindfully acknowledge and accept any emotions that may arise.
It is important to look after ourselves while we look after others. Parents who engage in self-care and look after their own physical and emotional wellbeing are better able to support their children. Finding time for ourselves and being kind to ourselves goes a long way.
Likewise, we need to remember to extend grace and kindness to others. We are all in this together, and we are all doing the best we can.
Now might be the perfect time to explore mindfulness strategies and practices, such as breathing exercises, meditation, visualization, and relaxation techniques. These evidence-based approaches to mental health and wellbeing are readily available online and with, some practices can easily be incorporated into everyday routines.
Laughter, hugs, giving, and receiving affection from loved ones are perfect ways to boost our body’s natural feel-good chemicals. Savor the moments of connection and joy, whenever they may occur!
Maja Kelly, SCIS Pudong Upper School Counselor
In the current lockdown situation in Shanghai, we are finding that a challenging situation provides an unprecedented opportunity for our community. Every week, stories of neighbors sharing vegetables, teachers checking in with each other, and students finding ways to laugh are a reminder of how adversity builds strength. Although the conversation usually begins with what to make for dinner out of cabbages, we are reminded of just how lucky we are to have each other. If nothing else, the shared collective memory of this experience serves as an experience to remember. By focusing on things we can control and letting go of things we cannot, we can overcome the emotions and limitations we all face, together, as a community.
Molly Myers, SCIS Pudong Lower School Counselor
Bringing up children is not always an easy task and can present some struggles for families along the way. As the saying goes “it takes a village”! Educators and counselors can always collaborate and work in partnership with families and vice-versa. The responsibility to strengthen the home-school relationship should come from both sides. As a school, we are not only working with students but with the whole family.
Parents are encouraged to reach out, connect and ask for help whenever the need arises, especially now in these unprecedented times. SCIS teachers and counselors are available to discuss struggles, learning difficulties, strategies, and enable conversation possibilities.
Mirian Bonomi, SCIS Hongqiao Student Support & Counselor
Tips from Our Community
Our community members sent in their best tips for being at home. Here is what they had to say!
Communicate with friends and teachers on Microsoft teams.
Doodle!
Pick up that book you’ve always been postponing reading.
Make time to move every day.
Find routine.
Do yoga and play board games.
Learn to play mahjong, cuddle with pets, and paint with watercolors.
Stay active during breaks and treat yourself by baking something yummy.
Movies, Mud cakes, and hugs!
Exercise. Use what would usually be your travel time to invest in yourself.
Play your favorite game with friends.
Watch some great movies.
Wellbeing Resources
One challenge of virtual learning is ensuring that the well-being of our students, parents, and teachers is being maintained. This remains one of our greatest priorities as we continue this journey. Students are adapting to virtual environments, finding new ways to interact with classmates, while keeping a healthy school-home life. Parents are working overtime as they support students at home, with homework, balancing school-life time, screen time, and their careers. Our teachers are striving to provide the best virtual learning experience and meet the needs of individual students while taking care of their own needs as each day brings new unknowns.
Our social-emotional support team has compiled a list of valuable resources to aid the well-being of our community. Scan the QR code below to access these resources.
We hope these tips and resources can bring you help and stability during an uncertain time. Families, please do not hesitate to reach out to our counselors or teachers if you need any further support. We are here for you, dragons
SCIS. Positive Contributors.
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