Northville Public Schools
Wellness Newsletter Fall 2019
The Northville Public Schools Health Advisory Board (HAB) is comprised of many members, from across the district and the community. The Health Advisory Board includes two co-chairpersons (a district parent and the district's Director of Instructional Programs and Service), along with teachers and administrators from each educational level, community members, parents, health professionals, and secondary students.
Social and Emotional Learning
At the first PTA meetings this year across the district, members from Northville Public Schools administration were talking about the focus on Social and Emotional Learning (SEL). Social and emotional learning is the process by which children and adults understand and manage emotions, set and achieve positive goals, feel and show empathy for others, establish and maintain positive relationships and make responsible decisions. The organization CASEL (Collaborative for Academic, Social and Emotional Learning) is making it their mission to ensure that evidence based SEL is an integral part of education from preschool to high school.
Because SEL is such a focal point in the district this year, we will be highlighting the different competencies associated with SEL so that parents and members of the community can understand what they are and how they may be able to assist with developing these competencies at home.
The Five Competencies include:
Self-Awareness
Self-Management
Social Awareness
Relationship Skills
Responsible Decision Making
This edition of the newsletter will dive deeper into the intrapersonal skills of Self-Awareness and Self-Managment.
Self-Awareness
Self-Awareness is about being in touch with one’s self by recognizing our thoughts, emotions, and values and the impact they have on our behavior. It’s about really knowing and understanding ourselves and how we fit in to our communities and ultimately the world.
There are 5 skills as part of self-awareness:
Identifying Emotions
Accurate Self-Perception
Recognizing Strengths
Self-Confidence
Self-Efficacy
One great way of becoming more self aware is by identifying emotions that we are experiencing. Identifying emotions, noticing what they feel like and what you can do with the emotion is how we can understand them better and ultimately work through those emotions in a positive, productive way. Parents can help their children by modeling this behavior at home and normalizing the process.
Other ways of cultivating self-awareness include focusing on a growth mindset and that through effort we can achieve our goals and tap into unlimited potential. Growth mindset is an underlying belief that our learning and intelligence can grow with time and experience versus a fixed mindset in which we believe that our intelligence, basic abilities and talents are fixed traits.
For more information on Self-Awareness check out this video.
Sources: CASEL Website - www.casel.org and www.developgoodhabits.com
Self-Management
Self Awareness is critical to being successful in Self Management. Being mindful of your surroundings and situations being presented to you, and most importantly how you react will either help or hinder your ability to be successful with Self Management.
Self Management- The ability to successfully regulate one’s emotions, thoughts, and behaviors in different situations - effectively managing stress, controlling impulses, and motivating oneself. The ability to set and work toward personal and academic goals.
There are 6 skills as part as Self Management.
- Impulse control
- Stress mangament
- Self-discipline
- Self-motivation
- Goal-setting
- Organizational skills
Creating a space in the classroom for kids to feel safe and welcome is essential for kids to succeed with self management. Some actions that help create a safe and welcoming environment would be warmly greeting students at the door and reducing clutter in the classroom. Some classrooms will also have areas that have comfortable seating with calming tools for kids to ground themselves and refocus.
Stop, Think, Act. When you or your child are in a situation where you feel angry, confused or frustrated. It is important to first Stop and recognize the emotion that is being felt. Think "what is making me feel this way?" Act What is the best way for you to react to the situation. Helping kids realize that they are in control of their body and can solve problems more constructively rather than reacting on stress or anger.
The goal is to help kids persevere, stay focused and engaged. Helping kids realize they have a voice and encouraging them to use their voice in a positive way for the greater good.
What does Self Management look like at home?
Teach and model positive ways for managing stress, anger and disappointment. Letting them know there are other ways to handle stress. Social emotional learning is a continuous process for all of us. We want our kids to be ready for anything that life throws at them. Social Emotional Learning helps kids develop the skills to Self Manage.
For more information on Self Management check out this video.
Sources: CASEL website www.casel.org
Mindfulness
Mindfulness techniques are a tool that many teachers are using as a way to compliment and support the social and emotional learning competencies that are such a focus in the classroom. Simply, mindfulness is paying attention to what is happening in the present moment. When being mindful, one may observe things like, their emotions, thoughts, environment and even physical sensations in their bodies. Mindfulness can be extremely helpful when we encounter things like, anger, frustration, sadness, worry, feeling overwhelmed, and even when feeling happy and excited. It can allow us to find or create space so that we can more thoughtfully respond to any given situation instead of reacting to it in an automatic or habitual way.
One simple way to practice mindfulness is by becoming aware of our breath. When we notice where we feel our breath in our body and focus on that for even just a minute, we can work to calm our minds and create that space we are looking for.
Try this practice at home:
Take one deep breath in and out
Breathe in for a count of 4
Hold for a count of 4
Breathe out for a count of 4
Hold for a count of 4
Repeat 4 times
There is over 30+ years of research on mindfulness for adults and more research coming as it relates to children. Outcomes of mindfulness practice can include:
Better focus and concentration
Improved social and emotional regulation along with compassionate attitude and behaviors
Decreased stress, anxiety and depression
While mindfulness is not a cure all for every situation, it can be one of many tools in our toolbox that can help achieve cognitive, social-emotional and wellness goals.
Here are a few resources to help you on your mindfulness journey at home:
Books/Activity Cards:
Just Breathe by Malika Chopra
Mindful Games (book and activity cards) by Susan Kaiser Greenland
Mindful Kids (activity cards) by Whitney Stuart and Mina Braun
Whole Brain Child by Dr. Dan J Siegel and Tina Payne Bryson
Apps:
Calm
Headspace
Inscape
Simple Habit
Stop, Breathe & Think Kids
Breathe, Think, Do with Sesame Street
Websites
www.youtube.com - search for mindfulness practices
https://www.kidsyogastories.com/breathing-exercises-for-kids/
Sources: Mindful Schools - www.mindfulschools.org/research
Vaping Epidemic
The Surgeon General calls vaping an "epidemic" among teens. Let's take a look at what vaping is and why it is a concern.
What are Vapes?
Vapes are Electronic Nicotine Delivery System (ENDS) units. ENDS includes: vapes, e-cigarettes, hookah pens, mods, tank systems, etc. To operate, the ENDS tanks/chambers are filled with e-liquid or juice composed of nicotine, flavoring and other chemicals. Some vapes have pre-filled cartridges. The liquid is heated by the device into a vapor or aerosol and inhaled. Most vape liquids have nicotine in them. The vape liquids are sold with flavorings which are attractive to youth. Michigan just put a ban on flavored vape juice products in the state and hopes this will help deter youth usage. Vape liquids can also be purchased with THC (Marijuana) in them.
Health Risks
There is little scientific research available as to the long term effects of vape use. What we do know: 1. Nicotine is an addictive drug and can have long term negative effects on the young growing brain. 2. Vaping can cause several negative side effects including, high blood pressure, insomnia, irregular heart rate, shortness of breath, headaches, dizziness, agitation and upset stomach. 3. By-products of vaping can include VOC (Volatile Organic Compunds), such as benzene (car exhaust); formaldehyde, & toluene (paint thinner) as well as heavy metals like tin and zinc.
What parents can do?
Talk to your teen, explain the risks. Continue learning, this is an ever-changing industry. Make it clear you do not approve of vaping use . Be a role model for healthy habits.
The Law
Michigan passed a law in June, that made it illegal for anyone under the age of 18 to purchase, possess, or use vaping products. Youths in violation can receive a civil infraction or misdemeanor ticket.
Help
For youth wanting to quit there are two anonymous resources to receive coaching help:
Text "Start my quit" to 855.891.9989 or Call that number
2. Truth Initiative
Text "Ditchjuul" to 88709
AND - Parents can text "quit" to 202.899.7550 for resources and more information.
More information on how to talk to your kids about vaping can be found at drugfree.org
Information provided by HAB co chair Cheryl Phillips, MS. She is the Program Coordinator at St. Joesph Mercy Hospital.
Growing Up 2020 Youth Empowerment Summit
Growing Up 2020 is coming to Northville, and you're invited!
As a parent, do you worry about the social and emotional wellbeing of your children, or the impact personal electronic devices are having on their development? Is communicating with your kids, or staying calm, a challenge? Ever wonder if your level of discipline is appropriate, or if your teen is from another planet? Worry if your child is resilient enough? Do you yearn for encouragement, advice, resources?
Does your child struggle to manage: hot/cold friendships, conflict, self-doubt, unhealthy competition, unfriendly peer situations, anxiety?
Does your teen lack comprehension of how their online activity impacts them, today and for their future? Does s/he have a strong foundation of physical and social self-defense?
Sharpen your saw! Attend the Growing Up 2020 youth empowerment summit, Saturday, November 9th, right here in Northville.
GU2020 includes three concurrent tracks, with age-appropriate content and delivery styles for Kids 3rd-6th grade, Teens 7th-12th grade, and the Adults who care about them. In addition to a powerful keynote from national speaker, educator and author, Katey McPherson, there are twelve powerful breakout sessions from which parents may choose, while kids experience seven fun, hands-on activity stations, and teen boys and girls enjoy sessions designed especially for them. Note: professional development credits available for educators.
Due to generous partners, including Michigan Legacy Credit Union, Emagine Entertainment, Ward Church, PKSA Karate Northville, and The ‘Ville, GU2020 is only $17 per person. Details and registration: www.KidsEmpoweredOnTheMove.org
For more than twenty years, the nonprofit Kids Empowered On The Move has been teaching kids, parents and educators, the youth empowerment solutions to effectively build communication skills and solve conflict in a friendly and confident way, and reduce the incidence of bullying.
Northville Youth Network - Over Booked
Northville Public Schools Health Advisory Board
Kristy Howard - RDH, Integrative Nutrition Health Coach
Bridget Drzewicki - Integrative Nutrition Health Coach, Mindfulness Coach
Website: www.northvilleschools.org
Location: 405 West Main Street, Northville, MI, USA
Phone: 248-344-3500
Facebook: facebook.com/northvilleschools/
Twitter: @NorthvilleEdu