Lilja Lions

The lead in to winter break can be a time of joy, family gatherings, and fun activities. However, for ourselves and our students, this can also be a time of stress. This article from the Mayo Clinic provides us with some ideas to effectively address stress in children at school and at home. On a daily basis, our schools implement many of these techniques with the support of Everyday Speech (our new social-emotional learning curriculum) and supplemental material and activities developed by teachers.

Mindfulness can be an efficient way to teach your child how to manage stress. Mindfulness is often associated with meditation but there are many different ways to practice mindfulness. Developing self-care habits will help our students well into their adulthood. Here are a few resources/activities that you can do/use at home with your child/children.

If you are interested in more information about stress in children please follow this link.

1- SPECIAL EDUCATION AWARENESS DAY DECEMBER 2ND

At Lilja we celebrate all learners and recognize the gifts of our neurodiverse student population. Consider taking this day to reflect on your own knowledge of the talents and skills of students with learning disabilities, Autism, ADHD, Anxiety, and other presentations. The ways in which we as adults model not only tolerance by acceptance is an invaluable resource to creating a sense of belonging for everyone!

2- COLD WEATHER GEAR ASSISTANCE

It's December- the cold weather and holiday seasons are here! The "most wonderful time of the year" often comes with stress, financial strains and the need for additional cold weather gear. If you are finding that your family is needing additional support with any of these items; please reach out to your student's grade level counselor for a confidential conversation; K, 2, 4: Courtney Simoni (csimoni@natickps.org) and 1, 1-2s, 3: Adria McMillan (amcmillan@natickps.org). For additional information on financial support, please visit https://www.natickps.org/cms/one.aspx?pageId=3505741.

3 - LOST AND FOUND

Our lost and found is located near the main office. You can check out the PTO lost and found page here, or stop by and check for your child's belongings. Any remaining items will be donated at winter break.

4- SPARK KINDNESS: Mental Wellness During Stressful Times: Your Questions Answered!

Thursday, December 8 at 7pm via Zoom — For parents, caregivers, educators, and community members of all ages
SPARK Kindness has assembled a team of experts to help you survive and thrive during the hectic end of year season. Author and expert Ned Johnson, Licensed Mental Health Counselor Janine Halloran, and SPARK founder Christine Guthery will offer practical strategies to support you and your loved ones. Everyone is welcome!

ASL Interpretation will be provided at this event. Please visit www.SPARKKindness.org to register for this or any of our FREE programs, discover additional resources, and get information about how to get involved with SPARK!

5- EVERYDAY SPEECH: SELF MANAGEMENT

Our students have learned about self-awareness, and are embarking on the next unit of Everyday Speech where they will be exploring the concept of self-management. Self-Management is the process we use to regulate and cope with our emotions as well as motivate ourselves and perform throughout our day. After completing these lessons, students should be able to demonstrate increased ability to monitor and regulate emotions and to exercise self‐control and delay gratification.

The Lilja PTO is a group of volunteer parents. Our goals are to enrich the education of our children, support the teachers and staff, and serve the Lilja community as a whole. We fundraise to supply materials, fund programs, organize social functions, and coordinate parent volunteers, all of which enhance the experience of Lilja students and build a sense of community within the school. Please visit us at www.liljapto.org

Natick Public Schools does not discriminate in employment nor its educational programs, services, and activities based on race, creed, color, age, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions, physical and intellectual differences, immigration status, homeless status, or any other basis prohibited by law. Please be aware all electronic communication to and from Natick Public Schools is public record and subject to public disclosure per Massachusetts General Law Chapter 66, Section 10.

• Title I: Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990Title II
• Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990Title VI
• Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964Title IX
• Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972
• MGL, Ch.76, Section 5: Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 76, Section 5