Covid-19 Resources
Food Assistance for Students during Covid-19 WCPSS Site
Emotional Safety for Students during Covid-19 WCPSS Site
Academic Support
Our goal is for all students to be successful and we realize most students need academic help at one time or another throughout their school career.
Make sure you check the Student Links for grade-level support.
Khan Academy - Great math tutorials that are aligned with the Common Core Standards
Kid's Health - Checklist for effective homework strategies
LDOnline - Homework strategies and a focus on students with learning disabilities.
National PTA - Understanding the Common Core Standards including parent guides
Middle School Transition
Moving up to middle school is a big change for 5th graders. It's a good idea to start talking about this transition early and to help your child understand the bigger responsibilities and the bigger freedoms they will have in middle school.
Packing Up Guide - WCPSS resource for transitioning to middle school
Anger Management
Anger is a normal feeling that we all experience in our range of emotions. Sometimes, children can have a difficult time expressing their anger in appropriate ways.
Scholastic - Great article and universal steps for helping children manage anger
Empowering Parents - Anger management strategies for children as well as topics that address a variety of other issues.
Anxiety
Sadly, with the rising pressures that students can face while in school, many students show varying signs of anxiety, stress, or worry.
Kid's Health - Great resource for information on anxiety in kids
WorryWiseKids - Created by mental health professionals who specialize in OCD type behaviors
Test Anxiety - Helping kids cope with the rigorous testing schedule
Tips for Parents to Help Their Kids with Anxiety
Bullying
Bullying is a repeated, one-sided behavior, that attempts to hurt others physically, emotionally, verbally, or relationally. The main thing students can do is to speak up and speak out, especially if they are witnesses to the bullying. It's even more powerful when bystanders won't allow bullying than it is when the victim themselves speak up.
Stop Bullying Now! - government website for bullying awareness and used during Bullying Awareness Week
Committee for Children - website for materials used in bullying prevention classroom guidance. See Second Step (1st & 2nd Grade) or Steps to Respect (Grades 3 -5).
Building Positive Self-Esteem
Every parent want their child to feel great and proud of their accomplishments. We know that students who have self-confidence will often be better learners and strive for higher levels of success.
Kids Play and Create - fun activities and advice for helping young children build positive self-esteem
Psychology Today - Great article and tips for building self-esteem, man geared towards older elementary students and beyond.
Today's Parent - Another good article with tips and resources, but with a little different perspective.
Creative Activities - Creative and fun activities to build self-esteem. Designed for parents to do with their children.
PBS - Good things to keep in mind for raising girls.
Dove
Divorce Support
DivorceCare - Support groups in the local area at a variety of locations.
HelpGuide - Great article on things you can do as parents to ease the transition.
Interact - Support for children's safety and domestic violence programs and assistance.
Grief Support
Helping children through the loss of a loved one is important. Kids need to know that they are not alone and have the right to their feelings.
Horizons Grief Center - For adult and children, with groups and mini-camps for children suffering through grief and loss.
American Hospice - Great checklist for adults helping children to cope
Transitions Life Care - A grief center for adults and children with many groups and programs to assist children with grief and loss. Located in Raleigh with other locations in the Triangle area.
Internet and Technology Safety
Setting healthy limits and keeping your child safe while using technology of various kinds is very important in building a responsible digital citizen and to avoid cyber-bullying.
CommonSenseMedia - Used by teachers, technology specialists, counselors, and parents for informing children about choices related to using technology, the internet, and social media.
Quick Tips
KidSpot - Good article, especially regarding Facebook.
Parenting Topics and Setting Limits at Home
KidsHealth - Great parenting resource covering a variety of challenging topics
Red and Green Choices - Good site for creating at home checklist, contracts, or behavior charts. Especially helpful for children with ADHD or Autism Spectrum Disorder.
123 Magic - Helpful books and resources for parents to handle everyday or special child behavior circumstances.
Special Circumstances/Social Worker
There are a variety of challenges that can take place throughout our lifetimes and they sometimes have an effect on our children. Whether it be a job loss, homelessness (temporary or permanent), lack of transportation, lack of basic necessities, or overall parenting support, we have a school social worker who can help offer resources in the community to deal with these challenges.
Rick Mendzef - School Social Worker
919-577-1700 (Ext. 20311)
It is also helpful to know where to turn during a crisis situation. The link below provides the phone numbers for several mental health crisis centers throughout the area. It also provides information about how to access non-crisis mental health services in our area.
Community Resources for Mental Health Services
Food Assistance for Students during Covid-19 WCPSS Site
Emotional Safety for Students during Covid-19 WCPSS Site
Academic Support
Our goal is for all students to be successful and we realize most students need academic help at one time or another throughout their school career.
Make sure you check the Student Links for grade-level support.
Khan Academy - Great math tutorials that are aligned with the Common Core Standards
Kid's Health - Checklist for effective homework strategies
LDOnline - Homework strategies and a focus on students with learning disabilities.
National PTA - Understanding the Common Core Standards including parent guides
Middle School Transition
Moving up to middle school is a big change for 5th graders. It's a good idea to start talking about this transition early and to help your child understand the bigger responsibilities and the bigger freedoms they will have in middle school.
Packing Up Guide - WCPSS resource for transitioning to middle school
Anger Management
Anger is a normal feeling that we all experience in our range of emotions. Sometimes, children can have a difficult time expressing their anger in appropriate ways.
Scholastic - Great article and universal steps for helping children manage anger
Empowering Parents - Anger management strategies for children as well as topics that address a variety of other issues.
Anxiety
Sadly, with the rising pressures that students can face while in school, many students show varying signs of anxiety, stress, or worry.
Kid's Health - Great resource for information on anxiety in kids
WorryWiseKids - Created by mental health professionals who specialize in OCD type behaviors
Test Anxiety - Helping kids cope with the rigorous testing schedule
Tips for Parents to Help Their Kids with Anxiety
Bullying
Bullying is a repeated, one-sided behavior, that attempts to hurt others physically, emotionally, verbally, or relationally. The main thing students can do is to speak up and speak out, especially if they are witnesses to the bullying. It's even more powerful when bystanders won't allow bullying than it is when the victim themselves speak up.
Stop Bullying Now! - government website for bullying awareness and used during Bullying Awareness Week
Committee for Children - website for materials used in bullying prevention classroom guidance. See Second Step (1st & 2nd Grade) or Steps to Respect (Grades 3 -5).
Building Positive Self-Esteem
Every parent want their child to feel great and proud of their accomplishments. We know that students who have self-confidence will often be better learners and strive for higher levels of success.
Kids Play and Create - fun activities and advice for helping young children build positive self-esteem
Psychology Today - Great article and tips for building self-esteem, man geared towards older elementary students and beyond.
Today's Parent - Another good article with tips and resources, but with a little different perspective.
Creative Activities - Creative and fun activities to build self-esteem. Designed for parents to do with their children.
PBS - Good things to keep in mind for raising girls.
Dove
Divorce Support
DivorceCare - Support groups in the local area at a variety of locations.
HelpGuide - Great article on things you can do as parents to ease the transition.
Interact - Support for children's safety and domestic violence programs and assistance.
Grief Support
Helping children through the loss of a loved one is important. Kids need to know that they are not alone and have the right to their feelings.
Horizons Grief Center - For adult and children, with groups and mini-camps for children suffering through grief and loss.
American Hospice - Great checklist for adults helping children to cope
Transitions Life Care - A grief center for adults and children with many groups and programs to assist children with grief and loss. Located in Raleigh with other locations in the Triangle area.
Internet and Technology Safety
Setting healthy limits and keeping your child safe while using technology of various kinds is very important in building a responsible digital citizen and to avoid cyber-bullying.
CommonSenseMedia - Used by teachers, technology specialists, counselors, and parents for informing children about choices related to using technology, the internet, and social media.
Quick Tips
KidSpot - Good article, especially regarding Facebook.
Parenting Topics and Setting Limits at Home
KidsHealth - Great parenting resource covering a variety of challenging topics
Red and Green Choices - Good site for creating at home checklist, contracts, or behavior charts. Especially helpful for children with ADHD or Autism Spectrum Disorder.
123 Magic - Helpful books and resources for parents to handle everyday or special child behavior circumstances.
Special Circumstances/Social Worker
There are a variety of challenges that can take place throughout our lifetimes and they sometimes have an effect on our children. Whether it be a job loss, homelessness (temporary or permanent), lack of transportation, lack of basic necessities, or overall parenting support, we have a school social worker who can help offer resources in the community to deal with these challenges.
Rick Mendzef - School Social Worker
919-577-1700 (Ext. 20311)
It is also helpful to know where to turn during a crisis situation. The link below provides the phone numbers for several mental health crisis centers throughout the area. It also provides information about how to access non-crisis mental health services in our area.
Community Resources for Mental Health Services