Important Dates to Remember
- Nov 2 Kindergarten returns back to school
- Nov 6 No School for Students, Teacher workday
- Nov 11 No School, Veteran’s Day
- Nov 12 1st graders return back to school
- Nov 16 Headstart returns back to school
- Nov 25 Early Dismissal, 12:45
- Nov 26-27 No School, Thanksgiving Break
Dear Families,
I am excited to start a monthly insert in the Sunnyland Newsletter. Each month I will highlight something from the book, Positive Discipline by Jan Nelson. This book is a helpful resource for raising kids who learn and grow into responsible, respectful and kind humans.
This month I want to ask you the question: What do you want for your children? Imagine your child is now twenty-five years old and has knocked on the door for a surprise visit. What kind of person do you hope to see in front of you? Someone who is kind, loving, responsible, nicely dressed, polite perhaps those were some of the words that came to mind? Many parents don’t realize that the methods they use to “discipline” their children are not helping to achieve what they really want for their children. Let’s create a road map:
Activity: Using a T-chart create a list of behavior challenges that you experience NOW and under the FUTURE create a list that you hope for your child. After you create this list, focus on the FUTURE list and think about the long-term goal for your kids.
You may ask, “But what do I do when my child doesn’t listen to me?” The first strategy in positive discipline is “Asking vs. Telling”, here’s what this is all about:
- Children will listen to you AFTER they feel listened to.
- Model what listening looks and sounds like for your child.
- When children don’t listen, it could be that you are lecturing or making demands that create power struggles.
How to use this strategy:
1. Try listening first before responding, this includes the thinking in your head about what your response will be (try to fight that urge.) 😉
2. Try validating your child’s feelings by saying, for example, “I hear what you are saying, it sounds like that is really frustrating.”
3. Try asking questions that encourage conversation and motivation with your child.
Here are some examples:
1. Telling: Go brush your teeth
Asking: What do you need to do so your teeth feel squeaky clean?
2. Telling: Do your schoolwork
Asking: What’s your plan for getting your schoolwork done today?
3. Telling: Hurry up and get dressed you will miss
Asking: What can you do so that you will be ready for your zoom meeting with your class
on-time?
4. Telling: Stop whining
Asking: How can you tell me what you need in a respectful way?
5. Telling: Pick up your toys
Asking: What is your responsibility when you are finished playing with your toys?
The neuro-science behind this strategy: Telling creates physiological tension in the body, and sends a message to the brain to resist. Asking creates physiological relaxation, and sends a message for the brain to search for an answer. Your child is learning to feel capable while searching for an answer to feel inspired to contribute to the problem at hand.
I hope this strategy is helpful for you as you navigate the hard job of parenting.
Your school counselor,
Ms. Miller
Kari.miller@bellinghamschools.org
P: 360-746-4591
Lion Design Winner
Jasmin Gonzalez in second grade is our winner of the Lion Design Contest and her lion will be printed on this year’s Sunnyland t-shirts. Congratulations, Jasmin!
Thanks to all our Lion Design contestants, and to everyone who participated by voting. All design entries will be featured in the 2020/21 yearbook.
New Sunnyland T-Shirts Coming Soon!
This year’s t-shirts featuring the winning lion design will be ready for pick up in the next 2-3 weeks. We’ll provide more information as soon as we have specific dates. Remember, every student gets a free t-shirt!
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Join the fun with Sunnyland's PTAPTA Membership Drive Consider becoming a member! The Sunnyland PTA is a collaboration between parents and teachers, and it’s a great way to connect and make a difference. Learn more at SunnylandPTA.org. Please use this online form to sign up for membership.
Sign up For PTA Emails Stay in the loop and hear about upcoming events and volunteer opportunities. Follow this link to join our mailing list: https://forms.gle/nnS7SMkGHWo6xGm49 | ScripScrip orders are due November 12. Orders will be ready for pickup on November 18. Scrip fundraising helps the PTA raise money for things like t-shirts, yearbooks, and enrichment programs. You pay face value for gift cards to places where you shop, and the PTA gets a percentage of those funds. Purchasing scrip gift cards is an easy way to support Sunnyland! | Visit our PTA on Facebook |
Join the fun with Sunnyland's PTA
PTA Membership Drive
Consider becoming a member! The Sunnyland PTA is a collaboration between parents and teachers, and it’s a great way to connect and make a difference. Learn more at SunnylandPTA.org. Please use this online form to sign up for membership.
Sign up For PTA Emails
Stay in the loop and hear about upcoming events and volunteer opportunities. Follow this link to join our mailing list: https://forms.gle/nnS7SMkGHWo6xGm49
Scrip
Scrip orders are due November 12. Orders will be ready for pickup on November 18. Scrip fundraising helps the PTA raise money for things like t-shirts, yearbooks, and enrichment programs. You pay face value for gift cards to places where you shop, and the PTA gets a percentage of those funds. Purchasing scrip gift cards is an easy way to support Sunnyland!
Contact us
Si desea esta información en español llame al 676-6456
Bellingham School District, 360-676-6400
