The following email was sent April 8 by School Counselors Chapter Leader Rosemarie Thompson.

It has been a tremendously stressful time for our students, our families and us. The Department of Education agreed with the UFT that a change of pace and focus was in order during the seven days that would have been the spring break in a normal year.

Related service providers, which include school counselors, provide invaluable social and emotional support to our students and families during these very difficult times. Based on your assessment of student needs and discussions you have had with your students and/or their families, you may decide to adapt your activities to the special themes of these seven days or continue to provide the services that you have been providing. You may also use this time to do more outreach to families, catch up on SESIS encounter attendance and other necessary paperwork and review training materials.

Here is the list of appropriate activities that the DOE and the UFT are suggesting

• Conduct additional outreach to the families of students you have not been able to reach. Reach out to principals and other support staff for additional contact information for families you have not been able to reach.
• Support families and staff with preparation and delivery of spring break instructional themes.
• Assess family needs, adjustment to remote learning and other social and emotional needs.
• Document in SESIS encounter attendance all remote counseling sessions you have held and may continue to hold when feasible and appropriate.
• Continue to hold weekly check-ins with students and families to ensure continuity of services.
• Review training materials, including on Microsoft Teams, Google Hangouts and clinical webinars.
• Participate in IEP meetings as necessary.
• Refer as needed to the UFT-DOE Mandated Counseling Supports and COVID-19 frequently asked questions.

Lastly, the UFT and the DOE have each created resources for parents. The UFT's coronavirus resource hub for families can be found in the parent section of the union website. The DOE's learn at home resources can be found on the DOE website. As you are making contact with families in the course of your work, please share these resources with them.

Stay healthy and safe.

Sincerely,

Rosemarie Thompson
School Counselors Chapter Leader
rthompson [at] uft [dot] org (rthompson[at]uft[dot]org)