Topic: Coping with Uncertainty: Supporting the Mental Health and Wellbeing of Children and Teens During the Pandemic
Date: Oct 29, 2020 06:17 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Meeting Recording: Click Here
Access Passcode: +ZwmP1!J
CT PUBLIC HEALTH ALERT:
YOUTH SUICIDE
A CALL TO ACTION
THE TRAGEDY OF THE PAST FOUR WEEKS
Tragically, in the past four weeks Connecticut has lost four young teens to suicide.We share this alert so that during these uncertain times youth collectively receive increased support, and so adults understand that right now youth are:
1) Struggling with feelings of uncertainty

2) Feeling isolated and lonely
3) Experiencing losses and grief
4) Needing increased mental health support
5) Impacted by world events


We are sharing important information with you today in an effort to increase awareness and vigilance to recognize and respond to the ongoing mental/emotional needs of youth.
If you, or someone you know, is in crisis and needs help, please call 1(800)273-TALK (8255) or 211 in CT or text the Crisis Text Line: CT to 741741, and in an Emergency Call or Text 911. In addition, school and town staff have been trained to screen and respond to youth in crisis so please do not hesitate to reach out to us at any time if you feel your child needs support.
Suicide Prevention Public Health Alert and Call to Action October 30, 2020.pdf
Nutrition Services Update
Dear Enfield Public Schools Families,
Due to a temporary waiver available from the USDA, beginning Monday, November 2, 2020 all children age 18 and younger are eligible to receive a free breakfast and lunch through the National School Meals Program. This will apply to children who attend in-person learning, children in distance learning and children who do not attend school. This free meal program is available because of the Covid-19 pandemic and will be federally funded until the end of the current school year in June 2021.
In person students will receive full meals the same as they are now, but at no charge. There is still a charge for “milk only” purchases or if students at the Middle and High school purchase “a la carte” items.
Remote and Hybrid students and families of preschool aged children can pick up meals at Enfield High School the same way we are currently doing, on Monday and Wednesdays, between 8:30 a.m. and 9:30 a.m., and must be ordered in advance. Please contact rfrench@enfieldschools.org or at 860-253-6511 to arrange for meals. The deadline to order meals is 3:00 pm the day before meal pick up.
Please note, this is not a change to your current meal status. When the waiver expires at the end of this school year, your current meal status will be carried over for the first 30 days of the new school year. While all meals will be at no charge, you will still need to complete an application to be eligible for other benefits associated with a Free or Reduced meal status – reduced student sport and iPad insurance fees, ERfC child care programs discounts, cable internet discounts, etc.
Smyth Bus Protocols
- Monday & Tuesday A-K Riders must wear masks at all times;
- AM Run - Gr. 6-12 Riders will load from the back of the bus to the front and should not touch any seat while getting to their seats – Students in grades K-5 will be assigned seats;
- Siblings can sit together;
- Students cannot change seats once they have been seated;
- Arrive at the school AM - Riders will disembark from the front of the bus to the back and should not touch any seats while getting off of the bus;
- Bus Drivers will disinfect the bus before the afternoon pickup;
- PM Run – repeat the same steps above;
- Wednesdays, buses will be all thoroughly disinfected;
- Thursday & Friday AM/PM L-Z Riders (repeat steps above).