Back to School
Back to School: Q&A and Decision Tree
We know this is a time of anxiety for many people sending their children back into the classroom or choosing to keep them out of the classroom. We can support another with open communication, cooperation and flexibility. It is our goal to provide guidance to our healthcare workers who have children about navigating the school year while working at St. Joe’s. Please refer to the following:
- Back-to-School Q&A for Healthcare Workers: Click here to find frequently asked questions and answers about supporting children’s remote or in-class learning scenarios for working parents.
- Decision Tree: Work and Back-to-School For St. Joe’s Healthcare Workers (HCWs) Who Have Care Giving Responsibilities: Click here to find a guide to help decision making after a child comes home sick from school, including when to call St. Joe’s COVID Hotline.
Our human resources team have collaborated with Hamilton Health Sciences and Niagara Health to provide the guidance included here. Please connect with your manager if you have any questions.
Supports & Additional Resources for Parents and Caregivers:
We also want to let the parents who work at St. Joe’s know that we understand that the new school year may bring about feelings of increased frustration and anxiety. With our mental health experts, we have mental health and wellness resources for you here, and encourage you to reach out to Mental Health Services for Healthcare Workers for confidential support.
Tips from St. Joe's Experts
Dr. Karen Rowa is a psychologist and clinical director of the St. Joseph's Healthcare Anxiety Treatment and Research Clinic. Kyle Harber, a youth mentor at the Youth Wellness Centre, (YWC), is working with post-secondary students grappling with the uncertainties of remote learning. Some of the tips they offer:
- Be prepared and be knowledgeable by reading information from the school boards, but accept that there will be change to those plans and ambiguity as schools work through the process.
- Take care of yourself: acknowledge your stress, talk about it with others, get sleep, exercise.
- Keep a routine as much as possible
- Seek safe ways to be social
- Don't be afraid to ask for help
More from St. Joe's Experts in the media:
- The anxious return to school
- School is back — and with loads of twists. Here's one expert's guide for students worried about anxiety and routines
Additional Mental Health resources for parents:
- School Mental Health Ontario- Do you have questions about how to support student mental health during COVID-19 and the return to school
- HWDSB: Mental Health and Well-Being Resources for School Reopening – Tips on creating healthy routines and talking to your child about COVID