Teens have different stressors during the pandemic

Special newsletter: Back to school in the time of COVID-19 US Edition - Today's top story: Pandemic has teens feeling worried, unmotivated and disconnected from school [View in browser]( US Edition | 16 August 2021 [The Conversation]( Academic rigor, journalistic flair Of all the new school years you’ve lived through – whether as a student or a parent or just an observer – it’s a safe bet the phrase “back to school” has never meant quite what it means now as America’s K-12 schools struggle to resume in-person instruction while the coronavirus pandemic stubbornly sticks around. This year “back to school” means parents, educators, students and others have much more to worry about than new school clothes and school supplies. This year is about [helping students cope with stress and anxiety](, as explained by Leah M. Lessard, a postdoctoral fellow at the Rudd Center for Food Policy & Obesity at the University of Connecticut, who surveyed how the pandemic is affecting adolescents. It is also a time when educators and others want to know what schools are doing to keep students, staff and teachers safe from the more contagious delta variant, which is spreading just as schools prepare to resume in-person instruction. Brandon Guthrie, an assistant professor of global health and epidemiology at the University of Washington, explains why [some preventive strategies that schools have tried or might continue are not worth the effort](. We also have stories on a new college admission form that [takes the needs of trans students into account](; a series of helpful tips on [how to make the most of a college library](; and much more. Jamaal Abdul-Alim Education Editor Students nearing the end of high school worried about their schoolwork and education more than younger students. Al Seib / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images [Pandemic has teens feeling worried, unmotivated and disconnected from school]( Leah M. Lessard, University of Connecticut Students’ academic worries persisted through the pandemic. A developmental scientist offers tips to support young people heading back to school. Masks are an important tool for slowing the spread of COVID-19 in schools. Malte Mueller via Getty Images [Schools can reopen safely – an epidemiologist describes what works and what’s not worth the effort]( Brandon Guthrie, University of Washington Vaccinations, masks and some distancing – along with low community transmission – can help protect students in classrooms and cafeterias. Anxiety may affect many more children than usual this fall. Cavan Images/Cavan Collection via Getty Images [How parents can help kids deal with back-to-school anxiety]( Elizabeth Englander, Bridgewater State University It’s no surprise kids are feeling a lot of anxiety after a year and a half of a global pandemic. Here’s what signs parents can look out for, and what to do if their child is feeling overwhelmed. - [5 simple tips for parents who will still be co-teachers when kids go back to school]( Lorrie Webb, Texas A&M-San Antonio; Rebekah Piper, Texas A&M-San Antonio Teachers and students are likely to use a lot more online learning tools than they did pre-pandemic even after in-person classes resume. - [4 ways college students can make the most of their college library]( Carrie M. Macfarlane, Middlebury Headed off to college? A librarian shares four tips for college students ready to hit the books. - [Free school meals for all children can improve kids’ health]( Matthew J. Landry, Stanford University Expanding free lunch programs could also reduce stigma for students, lower administrative burdens for schools and create jobs for communities. - [250 preschool kids get suspended or expelled each day - 5 questions answered]( Kate Zinsser, University of Illinois at Chicago An early childhood development expert explains why so many preschoolers are kicked out of child care, and what to do if it happens to your child. - [Shutting down school vaccine clinics doesn’t protect minors – it hurts people who are already disadvantaged]( Katherine A. Foss, Middle Tennessee State University For decades, US schools have been common sites for vaccine clinics to respond to outbreaks and provide catch-up immunizations. So why are they suddenly controversial? - [Change to college application represents a step forward in how colleges can better support trans students]( Genny Beemyn, University of Massachusetts Amherst The Common Application now lets students indicate their gender identities and pronouns when applying to college. But is that enough to make trans students feel welcome? A scholar weighs in. You’re receiving this newsletter from [The Conversation](. Not interested anymore? [Unsubscribe](. 303 Wyman Street, Suite 300 Waltham, MA 02451