Gov. Hochul welcomes students back to school in Tarrytown

Tuesday was the first day of school for many districts in the Hudson Valley, and students in one school were welcomed back by a very special guest - Gov. Kathy Hochul

Gov. Hochul, along with Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins and Westchester County Executive George Latimer, welcomed back students at the Washington Irving Intermediate School in Tarrytown.

The group toured the school and met with students and staff. The tour was lighthearted, but the governor's message to parents was not.

"Watch your kids closely, talk to them every single day, see how they're adjusting. And if they're struggling, get them help early," said Gov. Hochul.

Some students continue to work on overcoming both their trauma of the COVID-19 pandemic and the learning loss that came with it.

Psychologist Talya Cohen says that there are signs to monitor.

"Any issues with sleep, any issues with eating, general behavioral dysregulation, if kids seem out of sorts, fighting more with their siblings," says Cohen.

She says the first thing to do is open up a dialogue once you notice these signs.

"Support your child, tell them that you hear them and then there's books, there's resources there's tools to help them manage their anxiety, said Cohen.

More from News 12

0:35