BES Weekly Update
Issue No. 3
A Note From Principal Paquette
Hello BES Parents and Caregivers,
I hope this newsletter finds you and your families healthy and safe during this time. You have continued to provide a strong environment for your children to learn and engage with their teachers and for that, I thank you. As we are ramping up week four of digital teaching and learning, I hope you feel as though your child is starting to get into a routine and starting to hit their stride.
Our goal is to continue to provide a great educational experience for your child even though we are no longer in a brick and mortar school setting. We are, of course, also striving to connect with your child and help support them mentally, emotionally and socially through this difficult time. If you feel your child is in need of more support, in any form, please don’t hesitate to reach out to your child’s classroom teacher, or myself at any point.
As the nicer weather is upon us, it is important to continue holding education daily as a priority. The teachers and aides are working tirelessly to bring content and material to the students and we appreciate all your support you have been giving from home. Together, we can make sure our students come out the other side of this stronger and with as little educational loss as possible. We are fortunate at BCSD to have been utilizing technology in our classrooms for the past 5 years and now is our opportunity to take advantage of that.
As a reminder, the Governor of NY has cancelled all spring breaks and has instructed schools in NYS to continue digital teaching and learning through that time period. So, BCSD will be instructing this Friday, April 10th as well as all next week, April 13th through the 17th. As well, the Governor continued school closures through April 29th.
If you have any questions or are in need of any support, don’t hesitate to reach out to me. I can be reached via email at: paquette.sarah@bcsdk12.org or by phone at 518-324-2994.
Educationally yours,
Sarah Paquette
WE MISS YOU!
Teachers and staff at BES miss our students immensely. Check out the video below.
{NOTE: We do not own the rights to this music ~ it is our adopted school song}
Mrs. Gelwicks' Fourth Graders Get Planting!
Mrs. Gelwicks mailed letters to her class with seed packets so they could grow their own plants. Students will keep track of their plants progress and check in with classmates to discuss the different types of plants and their growth.
Chase Devins received his Zinnia flower seeds. In the picture shown, he is planting his seeds.
Virtual ELT with Fourth Grade
This week, fourth graders have been learning about the author of Captain Underpants and Dogman, Dav Pilkey with Mr. Crucetti. Mr. Pilkey is reading parts of the book to the students. Students can create their own Dogman character by watching "how to" videos and there is a story starter where they can write their own story.
Upcoming 4th Grade ELT:
- Week of April 13th: Students will take a virtual tour of the Natural History Museum with Mrs. Gelwicks. This tour will take students throughout the museum. Students can take the tour here: https://naturalhistory2.si.edu/vt3/NMNH/z_tour-022.html
- Week of April 20th: Students will be learning magic! Mrs. Drasye will teach them how to do five simple magic tricks at home! Let's see how many fourth graders can WOW their families!
- Week of April 27th: Students will learn knot tying with Ms. Wilson.
Thinking Spring in Ms. Matott's Class!
Last Friday, during "Fun Friday," first graders in Ms. Matott and Mrs. Bell's class were challenged to go outside and look for signs of spring. Some of their pictures are below.
Fun Friday!
Fun Friday in Mrs. Mieles and Mrs. Boire's third grade class continues, virtually. Students were asked to follow directions on how to draw a rabbit and take part in a scavenger hunt to find items around their homes. Shown below are Hailey, Adalyn and Bella.
Student Read Aloud
Bryn Brow, from Mrs. Craig's third grade class chose from the Choice Board to make a read aloud video for students in PK or Kindergarten.
Here, she is reading and recording, "Twas the Night Before Christmas." Great job, Bryn!
From Ms. Lamontagne
Make Social and Emotional Learning Stick. Click the link below for ideas on how to help with social and emotional learning:
For more information and helpful tools click the link below:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1VB5mm1SWbCF59SxnY-lktNlH3dbxzO5vd0GBr7JGOnc/edit?ts=5e85bdce
From the Special Education Counseling Corner ~ Ms. Kim & Ms. Sarah
“No School, Today!” In our normal world, these three words bring a lot of joy and excitement to many of our students. But right now we are not in our “normal” world and our children may be struggling with more negative feelings when it comes to being out of school. Boredom. Anxiety. Stress. Frustration. Worrying. Loneliness. Not only are our children having these feelings, but we as adults may also be struggling with these emotions. These are not easy emotions to deal with, especially when we are also having a hard time with them. Included are some suggestions and strategies to help ease these negative feelings and give you some sense of control over these unsure times.
The following information was taken from the National Association of School Psychologist’s resource “Helping Children Cope with Changes Resulting From COVID-19”:
STAY CALM, LISTEN, AND OFFER REASSURANCE
Be a role model. Children will react to and follow your reactions. They learn from your example.
Be aware of how you talk about COVID-19. Your discussion about COVID-19 can increase or decrease your child's fear. If true, remind your child that your family is healthy, and you are going to do everything within your power to keep loved ones safe and well. Carefully listen or have them draw or write out their thoughts and feelings and respond with truth and reassurance.
Explain social distancing. Children probably don’t fully understand why parents/guardians aren’t allowing them to be with friends. Tell your child that your family is following the guidelines of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which include social distancing. Social distancing means staying away from others until the risk of contracting COVID-19 is under control.
Demonstrate deep breathing. Deep breathing is a valuable tool for calming the nervous system. Do breathing exercises with your children.
Focus on the positive. Celebrate having more time to spend as a family. Make it as fun as possible. Do family projects. Listen to music. Have family dance parties. Go outside, if possible, to connect with nature and get needed exercise. Establish and maintain a daily routine. Keeping a regular schedule provides a sense of control, predictability, calm, and well-being.
Offer lots of love and affection.
MONITOR TELEVISION VIEWING AND SOCIAL MEDIA
Parents/guardians should monitor television, internet, and social media viewing—both for themselves and their children. Watching continual updates on COVID-19 may increase fear and anxiety. Developmentally inappropriate information, or information designed for adults, can also cause anxiety or confusion, particularly in young children.
Provide alternatives. Engage your child in games or other exciting activities instead.
TAKE TIME TO TALK
Let your children's questions guide you. Answer their questions truthfully, but don't offer
unnecessary details or facts. Don't avoid giving them the information that experts indicate as
crucial to your children's well-being. Often, children and youth do not talk about their concerns
because they are confused or don't want to worry loved ones. Younger children absorb scary
information in waves. They ask questions, listen, play, and then repeat the cycle. Children always feel empowered if they can control some aspects of their life. A sense of control reduces fear.
KEEP EXPLANATIONS AGE-APPROPRIATE
Early elementary school children. Provide brief, simple information that balances COVID-19 facts with appropriate reassurances that adults are there to help keep them healthy and to take care of them if they do get sick. Give simple examples of the steps people make every day to stop germs and stay healthy, such as washing hands. Use language such as "adults are working hard to keep you safe."
Upper elementary and early middle school children. This age group often is more vocal in asking questions about whether they indeed are safe and what will happen if COVID-19 spreads in their area. They may need assistance separating reality from rumor and fantasy. Discuss the efforts national, state, and community leaders are doing to prevent germs from spreading.
Upper middle and high school students. Issues can be discussed in more depth. Refer them to appropriate sources of COVID-19 facts. Provide honest, accurate, and factual information about the current status of COVID-19. Engage them in decision-making about family plans, scheduling, and helping with chores at home.
For all children, encourage them to verbalize their thoughts and feelings. Be a good listener!
MODEL BASIC HYGIENE AND HEALTHY LIFESTYLE PRACTICES
Practice daily good hygiene. Encourage your child to practice these simple steps to prevent spreading the virus.
Wash your hands multiple times a day for 20 seconds. Signing “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star” or “Happy Birthday” twice is about 20 seconds.
Compliment your children when they use a Kleenex or sneeze or cough into the bend of their elbow.
Sadly, handshakes and hugs need to be limited to immediate family members, at least for now.
Foster a sense of control. Offering guidance on what your child/children can do to prevent infection offers them a greater sense of control, which reduces anxiety.
Build the immune system. Encourage your child to eat a balanced diet, get enough sleep, and exercise regularly; this will help them develop a robust immune system to fight off illness.
For more information related to schools and physical and mental health, visit www.nasponline.org and
National Association of School Psychologists. (2020). Helping Children Cope With Changes Resulting from COVID-19. Betheseda, MD.
{Virtual} Crazy Hair Day at BES!
BES Teachers Showing Their Eagle Pride!
ZUMBA with Mrs. Eilers!
Hello BES! Mrs. Eilers' wants to make sure you keep moving! I miss doing Zumba with all of you! Here are a few videos to get you started. Have fun, stay home, keep moving and Zumba On!
How Can You Reach Us?
Parents, we know this is an uncertain time and we want you to know we are here for you! If you have any questions feel free to email us or give us a call!
Office:
Sarah Paquette - paquette.sarah@bcsdk12.org
Candace Jock - jock.candace@bcsdk12.org
Danielle Thew - thew.danielle@bcsdk12.org
Counseling:
Sarah Titherington - titherington.sarah@bcsdk12.org
Michele Lamontagne - lamontagne.michele@bcsdk12.org
Kim Bean - bean.kim@bcsdk12.org
Follow us on Facebook or check out our school web page:
www.facebook.com/beekmantownelementaryschoolgroup
Email: jock.candace@bcsdk12.org
Website: bes.bcsdk12.org
Location: 37 Eagle Way, West Chazy, NY 12992
Phone: 518-563-8035
Facebook: facebook.com/beekmantownelementaryschool