Finish Well - Farewell
This school year is rapidly coming to an end! This year, marked with masks and social distancing, cohorts and on-line learning, has finally reached the finish line. A school year that will stand out in all of our memories because of its differences, its challenges, and hopefully, its growth and resiliency. In less than 24 hours the school grounds will be washed with an unnatural silence - no more squeals of laughter on the swings at Pioneer, nor football tossing on the lawn at Mountain Creek. The school year will have ended and summer begun!!
Before this school year grinds to a halt, I encourage you to take a few moments to reflect on the growth and gains made during this year. Congratulate yourself and your student(s) on the perseverance and flexibility required for a successful school journey. Relish the lessons learned and the knowledge that has been attained. Take the time to treasure the school-year moments before they are obscured by the flurry of summer activities.
As this school year closes, my time as a school counselor for the Pioneer district is ending as well. I have taken a position as a counselor for Oak Ridge High School next year. Though I am excited for the opportunity to once again work with high school students, I am sad to be leaving all of you. I have enjoyed my time here at the Pioneer District – working alongside the wonderful staff and getting to know your precious children.
I deliberately chose the word “farewell” as my parting valediction, as it seemed to encapsulate both the idea of saying goodbye, as well as my heart-felt desire that you continue in wellness. According to Webster, farewell literally means “a wish of well-being at parting.” And so, as I say a final “farewell” – I wish you all a sense of well-being as you continue on this pathway of parenting, teaching, or caring for kids.
Thank you all for the opportunity to serve these past two years!
I bid you all FAREWELL.
LeeAnn Galbraith (aka Mrs. G)
School Counselor
Social Skills Lesson
Summer Worksheets for Social Emotional Learning
https://www.centervention.com/summer-worksheets-for-social-emotional-learning/
“The year is almost done! You’ve made a lot of learning and growth. What is something that challenged you this year?”
As you take answers, invite children who may have experienced similar experiences to give a thumbs up to show that many things that feel challenging to one person are also tricky for others.
Tell your kids how proud you are that they overcame many challenges, and also how proud you are for new and good things they tried and did too! Say, “We are going to make a celebration poster that shares some things you are proud of from the year!”
Write the word CELEBRATE at the top of the chart. Share something you are proud of yourself for with your kids, then model writing it on a sticky note and attaching it to the poster.
Have children write about a proud moment on a sticky note. Share and celebrate moments of growth together!
Provide each child with a summer sendoff packet and allow them to continue working and sharing reflections of the year and plans for the summer.
Growth Mindset
Summer Bucket List
Summer means fun! It’s the perfect time for your kids to learn (and grow their brains), explore, and try new things. Summer is a great time to practice skills that will prepare kids for the next school year (like reading fun books or writing letters to grandparents), as well as a time to engage the creative side of a child’s brain.
Have your kids create a Summer Bucket List and dream up everything they want to do! Planning out a Summer Bucket List can be a fun family activity where everyone’s voice is heard and idea considered. An added benefit is that planning activities and setting goals for summer usually ensures that the events will actually happen. Without such planning, time has a way of getting away from us. Often, before we know it, summer has moved on and school is back in session, and we regret the missed opportunities.
Looking for ideas? Check out the bucket list pictured below. It includes activities for all ages, such as:
- Have a dance party
- Stargaze
- Learn to ride a bicycle
- Visit a museum
- Learn to cook
Enjoy brainstorming as a family!
Love and Logic®
Slaying the Beast of Entitlement
Have you seen kids who believe that they are entitled to all of the perks of success without having to exert a single drop of perspiration to earn them? Do you know a young person who has little or no respect for adults? Have you also noticed how poorly these kids feel about themselves?
Love and Logic can help you slay the beast of entitlement thinking by equipping you with a powerful process for reversing the symptoms of apathy, disrespect, defiance, and low self-esteem. Here are four ways you can help guide kids out of entitlement thinking:
Risk
Kids held captive by this beast must be encouraged to take positive risks that provide opportunities to develop different beliefs. Perhaps the only way to see the benefits of personal responsibility is by doing something positive and experiencing the intrinsic joy it provides.
Struggle
Entitled children also need to experience difficulties as well as learn that they can overcome them through perseverance.
Achievement
The beast of entitlement dominates and subdues its victims by leading them to believe that they are dependent upon others for success. Breaking the chains of this misconception requires that they see themselves achieving hard-earned victories.
Attribution
Entitlement also tricks people into believing that life is simply a giant slot machine, roulette wheel, or lottery game. When children learn to attribute their level of success to their level of perseverance and personal responsibility, the beast loses its grip on their hearts.
Thanks for reading! Our goal is to help as many families as possible. If this is a benefit, forward it to a friend.
Dr. Charles Fay
Love and Logic® is a research-driven, whole-child philosophy founded in 1977 by Jim Fay and Foster W. Cline, M.D. It provides practical tools and techniques that help adults achieve respectful, healthy relationships with their children. Visit their website at loveandlogic.com
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