Dear St. Bernadette Families,
I hope this email finds you and your family well during these times of change and uncertainty.
In my conversations with staff, many families are experiencing mental health needs and I wanted to provide you with recommended community-based resources for support.
The Kids Help Phone https://kidshelpphone.ca/ provides 24/7 direct support to kids via text, phone, and on-line resources.
York Support Services Network offers the Community Crisis Response Service for persons living in York Region who are having a mental health crisis. By calling the toll free number 1-855-310-COPE (2673) or (TTY) 1-866-323-7785, you can speak with a crisis worker anytime you need to. The crisis worker will provide an immediate telephone/text response in a variety of situations, such as if you are feeling depressed, distressed, lonely, anxious, scared, angry, or are worried that you have nowhere to go.
Families with children in Ontario can apply for $200 per child (age 0-12) or $250 per child with special needs (age 0-21) as a one-time payment from the Government of Ontario due to the COVID-19 situation. Application is quick and easy, takes less than 5 minutes per child. https://www.ontario.ca/page/get-support-families
Finally, I have received several requests from parents asking to pick up their child’s belongings. Currently, the school is closed and I do not have access as per York Region Public Health. Once YCDSB arranges a strategy for access, I will communicate with you and arrange for a pick-up of your child’s belongings.
Thank you and please do not hesitate to contact either myself or your child’s teacher, if you need any additional supports during this time.
Mrs. deHaas, Principal