The child wakes up each morning ready to go to school but finds that it remains closed. They miss their teachers and friends at school, as well as activities like playing, singing, and having snacks. While they can see teachers and friends on the computer or phone, it is not the same as being at school. Both the child and their teachers are unsure of when school will reopen. The child feels sad, mad, and frustrated by the uncertainty but finds ways to feel better like drawing pictures for their teacher or practicing deep breathing.

1. My School is Still Closed

2. © Meredith Polsky 2020. Exclusive and restricted permission is hereby granted to print this story for use
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3. Every morning, I wake up, have breakfast and get
dressed. I am ready to go to school.

4. I love school! I get to play with my friends and
teachers, sing songs and have snack.

5. I want to go to school, but it is still closed!

6. I did not know school would be closed for such a
long time. My grown-ups didn’t know either.

7. I miss my teachers and my friends. I miss the toys at
school and I miss singing all together.

8. Sometimes I see my teachers and friends on the
computer. Sometimes I talk to them on the phone.
But it’s not the same as school.

9. Sometimes I feel happy when I see my teachers and
friends on the computer. But sometimes I feel sad or
even mad. I just want to go to school!

10. My teachers want to go to school, too! They like
when I give them hugs, and they hold my hand. They
miss seeing me at school.

11. When will school be open? My grown-ups say they
don’t know.

12. It is hard not knowing when I will go back to school.

13. It is okay to feel sad or mad that school is still
closed.

14. When I feel sad or mad, I can draw a picture to send
to my teacher, sing my favorite school song, or
remember something funny my friend said.

15. I can give my grown-ups a tight squeeze, snuggle
with my favorite stuffed animal, or practice breathing
like a snake.

16. Even though I still miss school, those things help me
feel better.

17. Now I can help my friends feel better when they are
sad or mad that school is still closed!