Website links for up-to-date, reliable info about the Coronavirus.

Center for Disease Control and Prevention

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/index.html

Texas Department of State Health Services

https://dshs.texas.gov/coronavirus/

Grayson County Health Department

https://www.co.grayson.tx.us/page/hlth.covid-19

World Health Organization

https://www.who.int/

USA Gov

https://www.usa.gov/coronavirus Texo

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March 19 2020

A Family Recipe for

Being Together During Coronavirus COVID-19

4 cups of love

5 cups of forgiveness

A big scoop of laughter

A dash of faith

A pinch of hope

Prayer to season

Sweeten with patience

Top with kindness

Bake for a lifetime

Serve with respect

Love Beyond Measure!

New adventures with online/at home instruc-tion! Thank you parents. You are doing an amazing

job! We are a team!

Dear TCS Families,

Every day brings new information and updates about the Coronavirus COVID-19, cancellations and closures and the impact this situation is having on our economy, healthcare system, businesses, and jobs across our country and in our own community. If you have been out and about, you know there is a sense of fear, anxiety and stress about the impending arrival of the virus in Grayson County. This situation serves as an opportunity for us as Christ followers to demonstrate a peace and confidence in our sovereign Lord through our actions and attitudes. It also offers us the chance to change the narrative and discourse in a way that offers hope and joy in the middle of chaos. I know that this pandemic has also created stress with our children. They will respond and react according to what

they see modeled. Even more of a reason to exemplify Christ in these challenging times. I have included a couple of links to two articles that you might find helpful in talking with your children about the coronavirus. One was posted by Focus on the Family and the other one by The Gospel Coalition.

Talking With Kids About the Coronavirus

MARCH 13, 2020 | BY JOANNIE DEBRITO, PH.D., LCSW, LMFT

https://www.focusonthefamily.com/parenting/talking-with-kids-about-the-coronavirus/

How to Talk to Children About the Coronavirus

MARCH 13, 2020 | CAMERON COLE

https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/children-coronavirus/

We will continue to keep you updated about this unfolding situation. Please continue to pray and encourage one another. If there is a need, please let us know. Be encouraged in these days and let us hold fast to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. Hebrews 10:23

Praying Together,

Linda H. Yeilding Interim Head of School Texoma Christian School

While it looks like things are out of control, behind the scenes there is a God who hasn’t surrendered his authority. ~A.W. Tozer

Update from the Head of School Search Team:

Dear TCS Family,

Our hearts are encouraged, even during this unprecedented time, as we see how good God is. We continue to meet weekly to pray and seek God’s direction and wisdom, fervently working toward the goal we know God has in our future. Several resumes and

applications have been evaluated by the team and we continue to receive additional inquiries weekly. We are contacting those who are the best candidates to continue in the interview process. Please diligently pray with us for wisdom, unity, and clarity as we wait on the Lord to reveal the one He has chosen for TCS.

The nonprofit Children and Screens has written an article, “10 Tips for Digital At-Home Learning During COVID-19”, offering advice to parents on how to navigate the new realities of digital at-home learning for their kids during the coronavirus crisis. The suggestions are as follows:

1. Digital quarantine-consider limiting time on cellphones and tablets until school work is completed.

2. Make space for learning-somewhere quiet and comfortable and in a different place than where they play games or watch TV.

3. Monitor the (computer) monitor-make observations as your child is learning to see if they are engaged.

4. Digital recess-provide time for students to get physical activity and fresh air.

5. Face Time-interact with your children about what they are learning through their screen time.

6. Keep it old school-encourage print and reading books as much as possible.

7. We’re all in this together-talk with other parents about what their doing and what is working for them.

8. Plan your work and work your plan-help your children establish a schedule and set goals

9. This ain’t no vacation-remind your children they’re not on vacation. They still are responsible for learning.

10. Don’t forget to have fun-make plans for games and activities with the entire family.

To read the entire article click on the link: 10 Tips For Parents

Thoughts from our Counselor, Mrs. Howard:

The story of Esther’s courage is inspiring and a reminder to rise up in the face of uncertainty. As we all face the unsettling feelings and questions the Coronavirus presents, we must rise. To rise, we must believe God’s promises.

“We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28 (NIV)

There is much good that can come from facing adversity together as a family and society. Here’s a few!

Use this time to draw closer to your children and have meaningful conversations that can teach them powerful social emotional skills such as self and social awareness, self-management and empathy. Here is a wonderful resource to walk you through these conversations.

School closing can offer time for teaching your children some of the most basic life skills, such as how to sew on a button, cook, write a check, balance a check-book, chain the oil, change a flat, iron a shirt, set a table, and how about reading a book together and discussing different perspectives.

It can also be a good time to prepare for college entrance exams and review college and career options… you get the idea.

Where do I start?

Pray first and trust God

Practice spiritual and emotional self-care – remember children are watching and taking their cues from your responses. Check out these short very helpful video links:

For parents - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aYlXLMaFzgU

For kids - https://youtu.be/kiVpWZBXLug

Get the facts

Practice physical self-care as directed by the CDC

Be purposeful about this time and keep a routine

Learning to cope well in a crisis builds resilience (GRIT) in your children – an invaluable life skill. As a theme this school year, we have purposefully worked to teach your children to have grit in the face of their challenges. Who could have imagined we would be facing such challenges together now. Let’s work together to be gritty and God directed during this time. Let’s rise!