Crew Leader Teacher Guide Teacher-Facing Guide
Crew Leader Teacher Guide
School Crew Connection • Separation Anxiety Series
Target Grade: K
2-Day Program
Core Focus
Reframing separation anxiety by building direct, safe trust relationships with school helpers and establishing reassuring routines.
Materials Needed
• "Meet the Crew" Slides
• "My Crew Badge" Handouts
• Crayons, child scissors, yarn
• "School Treasures" Slides
• "School Treasure Map" sheet
Co-Regulation Tip
Anxious children take cues from your nervous system. Speak in low, calm, confident tones. Avoid "asking" if they want parents to leave; confidently assume safety: "You are safe here. I will take good care of you."
1 Day 1: Meet Your Crew
30 Mins
Objective: Identify 3 key school helpers and create a "Safe Crew" badge.
0-10m
Warm Welcome & Slide Show
Gather children on the rug. Project Meet the Crew Slides. Use the slide prompt to introduce your school's friendly team. Explain that when parents leave, these "Crew Members" are here to help.
10-20m
Circle Time: "Who Helps?" Roll Call
Introduce each helper by name (e.g., Nurse Jane, Counselor Mark, Custodian Leo). "If you need a Band-Aid, who should we look for? Nurse Jane! Let's do Nurse Jane's special wave together!"
20-30m
Badge Crafting Activity
Distribute My Crew Badge Sheets. Have students color and choose one school helper to draw or write on their badge. Help them cut and thread yarn so they can wear it proudly.
What if a child is crying?
Acknowledge without excessive attention: "Your brain is sending you an alert that you miss Mommy. That's okay! Let's look at your Crew Badge. Who is one helper here right now?" Hold their hand and guide them to a sensory station.
Unit: School Separation Support Page 1 of 2
Teacher-Facing Guide
Crew Leader Teacher Guide
School Crew Connection • Separation Anxiety Series
Target Grade: K
Treasure Hunting
Morning Routine
Create an "Arrival Bridge" routine. On arrival, children immediately place their helper badge on their cubby, say a silly goodbye cheer to parents, and go to the "Treasure Map" check-in station.
Parent Partnership
Make sure to send home the Parent Bridge Handout at the end of Day 1.
Parents should practice the 3-step quick drop-off routine outlined in the handout to establish consistent home-school expectations.
Drop-Off Script
"Your parents are leaving for their work, and your work today is to explore the school. You are safe. Look at your crew badges. Let's go search for treasures!"
2 Day 2: School Treasure Hunt
30 Mins
Objective: Explore classroom interest centers and identify "school treasures" to build excitement.
0-10m
Anticipation Slides
Review helper characters from Day 1 using the first slides of the School Treasures Slides. Then introduce the concept of "Treasures" (toys, reading nooks, sensory tables) waiting for them.
10-20m
Interactive Treasure Hunt Walk
Lead the class on a miniature tour of classroom areas (Library, Blocks, Art, Quiet Corner). Introduce each zone's specific boundaries and routines. Ask children: "What treasures do you see in the blocks area? Red logs!"
20-30m
My Treasure Map Worksheet
Hand out School Treasure Map Activities. Assist children in drawing their favorite "treasure" in each map circle (e.g., drawing blocks, a book, or crayons). Share with partners.
Success Criteria Checklist
Students wear/use badges on Day 2
Parents receive drop-off guides
Students identify comfort zones
Drop-off routine is established
Unit: School Separation Support Page 2 of 2
Meet the Crew Slides Our School Team
Meet Your Crew!
We are here to help you play, learn, and stay safe!
Sometimes missing our families is hard, but you have a special school crew waiting to help you every single day!
Lesson 1: Meet Your Crew Slide 1 of 5
Crew Member #1 Let's wave together! 👋
Your Teacher
Your Classroom Helper
Your teacher knows your name, loves your drawings, and keeps you safe.
How to ask for help:
Raise your hand and say: "Excuse me, helper, can you help me with this?"
Lesson 1: Meet Your Crew Slide 2 of 5
Crew Members #2 & #3 Cozy Spaces 📚
The School Counselor
Helps you navigate big feelings and practice deep belly breathing.
The School Librarian
Has cozy corners filled with magical stories and books to explore.
Lesson 1: Meet Your Crew Slide 3 of 5
Crew Members #4 & #5 Safe & Clean ✨
The School Nurse
Has ice packs for bumps and Band-Aids to heal little scratches.
Your School Custodian
Keeps our rooms sparkling clean and ready for us to build and play.
Lesson 1: Meet Your Crew Slide 4 of 5
Active Craft Creative Time 🎨
Design Your School Crew Badge!
Wear this badge proudly to show you are part of our school team!
1
Color & Draw
Color the badge and draw your favorite crew helper.
2
Cut Out
Carefully use safety scissors to cut around the dotted line.
3
Wear & Share
Punch a hole, add a yarn necklace, and wear it with pride!
Lesson 1: Meet Your Crew Slide 5 of 5
My Crew Badge Sheet My School Crew Badge
Color, cut out, and wear your special helper badge!
Name:
Date:
Cut along the dotted circle
Official Helper Badge
SCHOOL CREW
Draw Your School Helper Here
My Helper's Name:
I am safe at school!
Ask a helper to punch a hole at the top and loop some yarn to make a necklace!
Pocket Helpers
Cut these out, color them, and keep them in your pocket. Touch them whenever you miss home!
Cut Out Card
Spiral Breath
Trace with your finger to calm down
Breathe in... Breathe out...
Cut Out Card
Heart Warmth
Press to send love home
My heart is connected!
School Crew Connection • Student Activity Grade K • Printable Craft
School Treasures Slides School Adventure
School Treasure Hunt!
Today we are brave explorers searching for hidden treasures!
Our school is not just a building—it is a magical land filled with amazing toys, books, friends, and helpers waiting for you!
Lesson 2: School Treasure Hunt Slide 1 of 5
Treasure Zone #1 Story Land 📖
The Library & Book Nook
Cozy Reading Corners
Find colorful picture books, funny stories, and super-comfy pillows to sit on while you look at pictures.
Helper Hint:
If you need a quiet moment, ask to sit in the reading nook with your pocket helper!
Lesson 2: School Treasure Hunt Slide 2 of 5
Treasure Zone #2 Building & Play 🏗️
Creative Toy Center
Blocks, Art, & Play!
Build giant wooden towers, paint beautiful rainbow creations, and play with cars on the active play rug.
Cooperative Action:
Invite a classmate to build a castle with you. Together you are co-explorers!
Lesson 2: School Treasure Hunt Slide 3 of 5
Treasure Zone #3 Peaceful Corner 🧘
The Quiet Corner
Your Safe Feeling Haven
A soft place with cozy stuffies, squishy stress balls, and a chart that helps you understand your big emotions.
Self-Regulation Tool:
Use your spiral breath coping card here while holding a sensory tool to reset your nervous system.
Lesson 2: School Treasure Hunt Slide 4 of 5
Active Activity Mission Briefing 🗺️
Map Your Favorite Treasures!
Fill out your School Treasure Map worksheet with the best zones you found today!
1
Explore Room
Walk around with your teacher and look closely at each area.
2
Pick Treasures
Pick three of your favorite spots in our classroom.
3
Draw on Map
Draw the fun toys, books, or games in each map circle!
Lesson 2: School Treasure Hunt Slide 5 of 5
School Treasure Map Activity My School Treasure Map
Explore our classroom, find three special treasure spots, and draw them!
Name:
Date:
Explorer Mission
Draw a fun toy, cozy cushion, or amazing book you discovered in each zone!
1. Cozy Book Nook
Draw blocks or books
2. Creative Play Zone
Draw a favorite toy
X
3. Safe Feeling Spot
Draw your comfort spot
What is Spot X?
This is your Safe Feeling Spot. If you miss your family or feel a little sad, you can sit here to rest, cuddle a toy, and use your pocket keys!
I am a brave explorer! School is filled with fun treasures!
School Crew Connection • Student Map Grade K • Classroom Activity
Parent Bridge Handout Parent & Family Companion
The Bridge of Trust
Easing the Home-to-School Transition with Love & Confidence
Kindergarten
Dear Kindergarten Families,
Separating at the classroom door can bring big emotions for both you and your child. This is a completely natural part of their developmental journey! In class, we've introduced your child to their School Crew (friendly helpers) and searched for Classroom Treasures. Here is how you can partner with us to co-create a strong, anxiety-free morning routine.
The 3-Step Swift Drop-Off Routine
1
The Comfort Cue
Remind your child of their School Crew Badge or the Pocket Coping Keys they made in class. Ask them who their helper of the day is.
2
The Quick Script
State clearly that you are leaving, they are safe, and you will return. Long goodbye rituals increase anxiety; keeping it cheerful and short builds deep confidence.
3
The Confident Exit
Hand your child directly to a teacher helper and leave with a smile. Even if they cry, sticking to the routine teaches their brain that the classroom is a safe space.
The "Bridge of Trust" Goodbye Script
Try practicing this exact script at home so your child knows exactly what to expect when arriving at the classroom door:
Parent: "We are at school! Look at your helper badge—who is here to keep you safe today? Yes, your teacher!"
Parent: "It's time for me to go do my work, and it's time for you to go do your explorer work in the classroom. I love you, you are totally safe, and I will be waiting right here to pick you up after storytime!"
Parent: (Give a warm squeeze, high-five, hand over to the teacher, and walk out!)
Dinner Table Conversation Starters
"Who helped you today?"
Instead of asking "were you sad?", ask: "Which member of your school crew did you see today? Did Nurse Jane wave? Did your teacher help you paint?"
"What treasures did you find?"
Ask about their Classroom Treasure Map: "What cool blocks did you build with? Did you sit on the soft pillows in the book nook today?"
Important Reminder: Consistent mornings build confident kids. When you are steady and predictable, your child learns to trust their school crew.
School Crew Connection • Parent Companion Handout Grade K • Separation Guide
