Comet Chronicle, Jr.
February 26, 2021
One School, One Book is Coming!
Monday is the first official day of our schoolwide March is Reading Month festivities! We have decided to do the One School, One Book challenge again this year. Every student will receive a copy of the same book on Monday after the “BIG REVEAL!” We are asking that you read the book with your child at home over the next several weeks following the calendar that will be sent home Monday as well. The One School, One Book challenge helps us in our mission of Building a Community of Readers here at Coloma Elementary. Everyone – students, parents, teachers, even administrative staff will all be reading together. Thanks to Mrs. Wheeler, Mrs. Vanderboegh, and Mrs. Stankiewicz for their work on the clues.
Clue #4
School Social Work Scene
We have made it to our final unit, Unit 4: Problem Solving in our Social Emotional Learning curriculum, Second Step. This unit integrates skills from Units 1, 2, and 3.
Problem solving is a complicated cognitive process. Students who are more skilled problem solvers get along better with peers and have fewer conflicts and problems with aggression. It is important to remind students to calm down before trying to solve a problem so they can think clearly.
The perspective-taking skills learned earlier are an important part of the first Problem-Solving Step, S: Say the problem. It is important for students to see a problem in a neutral way that does not blame the other person. Students can escalate conflicts by failing to consider the situation from the other person’s perspective.
The second Problem-Solving Step, T: Think of solutions, builds cognitive skills and helps students avoid jumping at the first idea that comes to them. Emphasizing the importance of safe and respectful solutions builds prosocial norms and helps students employ perspective-taking skills to think about the effects of their actions on others.
The third step, E: Explore consequences, helps students think through cause and effect and avoid solutions that will cause more problems. Many students, especially those more likely to be involved in peer conflicts and aggression, tend to think of only one solution to a situation and act on it without thinking through what might happen. If-then thinking is important because it helps students think through the effects of their choices, and predict consequences thus increasing their ability to P: Pick the best solution that will solve the problem while taking people’s feelings into account.
Students may need coaching and practice to use words to describe a problem. Model describing problems in a non-blaming way (such as what each person wants or needs). Encourage students to generate many solutions to a problem. Model using self-talk to think through what might happen if each possible solution is picked before finally choosing your best solution.
You can access more information about our Second Step program and Social Emotional Learning (as well as other great resources) on our School Social Work Central page on our website!
❤ ~Mrs. DeMercado, School Social Worker
Art Installation
Outdoor Recess
If there are snow gear that your student needs, please reach out to your child's teacher and we will do all that we can to support!
Dropping Off and Picking Up Reminder
- Pull all the way forward so that we can unload/load as many students as possible. This will make the process more smooth and efficient.
- Do not attempt to make a left turn into the car rider lane. Traffic is often backed up down S. West St. for drivers making a righthand turn into the lane. Instead, join the back of the line and make the righthand turn.
Late Start Wednesday
24 Hour Rule
Mask Care
School Messenger
CARE Expectations
- Come ready to learn
- Always respectful
- Responsible
- Exceptionally safe
Stay Connected!
- Follow us on Facebook.
- Make sure the office has your email address on file so we can communicate via SchoolMessenger.
- Read the Comet Chronicle, Jr. (twice a month).
- Read your classroom newsletter.
A Common Question
One of the most commonly asked questions is: “How long will someone have to quarantine if there’s a case of COVID-19?" Our response is:
“The health and safety of our students, families, and staff is and will always be our primary concern. We have been working diligently over the past several months to prepare for the safe return to school for our students and staff—implementing sanitization and social distancing protocols across the district. In the event of a COVID-19 situation in one of our buildings or classrooms, we will work with the Berrien County Health Department to assist in contact tracing to determine who needs to quarantine and for how long as every COVID exposure is unique. Ultimately, the BCHD will provide specific guidance related to quarantining and isolation.”
Coloma Elementary School
Inspire to Achieve - Empower for Success
Email: jklein@ccs.coloma.org
Website: https://ces.coloma.org/
Location: 262 South West Street, Coloma, MI 49038
Phone: (269) 4682420
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/colomaelementary