Brookwood's Monthly Newsletter
Joyful Teaching! Joyful Learning! March 2022
From the Principal's Desk . . . Jacqueline Cubberly
I hope this letter finds you well.
Please welcome Ms. Matthias to our Brookwood Family as our new Administrative Assistant to Mr. Melton, our Assistant Principal. Ms. Matthias will handle all attendance and can be reached at nicole.matthias@bristoltwpsd.org. We are excited to have her join us.
Through The Zones of Regulation and the Responsive Classroom techniques we have been using since the start of the school year, we are seeing many students "self regulate" and take ownership (responsibility) of their words and actions.
As would be expected, our younger children need additional support and reinforcement to help them realize that their words and actions have consequences. I found an article that can assist families with helping children to not play the "blame game" to avoid logical consequences, which is a life skill needed for success. Here is a "recap" for you.
How to Stop Your Children From Blame Shifting and Start Taking Responsibility for Their Actions
by Rachel Norman
“It wasn’t my fault” and “he made me do it” are phrases kids like to put on repeat. A parent’s job is to help children learn to take responsibility for their actions, both because it’s right and because it helps teach them cause and effect; a lesson that will serve them well for life.
Blame shifting (n): a tactic to push fault on another person. Essentially, blame shifting happens when children blame others or external circumstances on their behavior. Whether they did something wrong, failed to do something right, or feel a certain way, they are reluctant to own up to their own part or responsibility. They shift the burden of blame and/or action on others.
Ultimately, kids don’t want to displease their parents because they love us and they will often try to blame shift. While you shouldn’t be alarmed when this happens, it’s something you should most definitely work to curb for quite a few reasons.
1. Allowing blame shifting robs them of one of life’s most important lessons: Cause and Effect.
2. Blame shifting encourages passivity.
3. Blame shifting discourages ownership.
4. Blame shifting increases pride and decreases the capacity for humility.
How to discourage blame shifting:
Hold each child accountable for their actions, not the one who “started it.”
Allow your child to have consequences - do not make excuses for them.
Notice when your child fails to take responsibility for their actions and gently remind them where the responsibilities lay.
Require your kids to follow through with what they start.
Help your children own age appropriate tasks and chores by enforcing consequences if they go undone.
Help your kids learn to problem solve and ask questions when they feel powerless.
Don’t become the referee.
Rachel Norman, BA, MS, certified sleep consultant, authorized Language of Listening® coach
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Our Character Trait for the month of March is "Work Ethic and Responsibility"
What is "Work Ethic and Responsibility"
Check it out https://www.moneycrashers.com/teaching-kids-responsibility-work-ethic/
Be safe and well.
Jacqueline Cubberly
IMPORTANT DATES:
3/2/22 Read Across American Day with Dr. Seuss
3/9/22 1:15 Dismissal for all Students
3/10 - 3/18/22 Book Fair - students will shop during their Library day and time
3/11/22 3rd Annual National SEL Day - Social / Emotional Learning
3/16/22 No School for Students - PD for Staff
3/17/22 Happy St. Patrick's Day
TIME . . .
Teachers are getting bombarded with emails and do not always have the time to respond immediately.
Our staff is encouraged to have "healthy boundaries" between work and home. Please do not expect a same day response, after 4:00 pm or on a weekend.
*If you have an important message, please send a note, which will be read at the start of the day.
THANK YOU for acknowledging and supporting that teachers' time is important and should be respected.
Jacqueline Cubberly
Kindergarten - our Penny Wars Winner duct taped Mrs. Cubberly to a wall!
2nd Grade - our 2nd Place Winner duct taped Mr. Melton to a wall!
Who do you think needed more duct tape, Mr. Melton or Mrs. Cubberly?
Kindergarten Registration
Kindergarten Registration is quickly approaching – if you
have a friend or family member who will be age 5 on or
before August 31, 2022, they will be eligible for
Kindergarten this upcoming school year.
Here’s what you will need to register your child for kindergarten:
- A complete registration packet – online registration will be
available
- Birth Certificate
- Immunization Record
- Copy of your mortgage or lease
- 3 proofs of residency (water, phone, electric bill, etc.)
- Must include name, address, and be dated within 2
months of completing your registration
- Dental and Physical exam dated after September 9, 2021
Start gathering your material for registration. More information about our on-line
registration will be available shortly. You can also contact your school nurse if
you have any questions regarding the medical aspect of registration.
Number Sense in Third Grade
Math starts with the "number of the day"
Students show various ways of representing that number
Kindergarten says
"THANK YOU"
To: Custodians, Food Service and Monitors!
From the Health Office
Brookwood Parents/Guardians:
Please remember to send in a copy of your child’s COVID vaccinations, and any other vaccinations that they may receive throughout the year. At this time, any student (ages 5 to 11 years) may receive 2 doses of the vaccination for COVID.
Any student who does not have the mandated dental or physical exam in the years noted, before the end of September, will be scheduled for a school exam.
Dental Examinations are mandated for any new student, and also in Kindergarten, and Third grade.
Physical examinations are also mandated for any new student, Kindergarten, and 6th grade.
A private dental exam or physical exam should be completed no more than 12 months prior to the start of school.
Now is the best time to get dental exam for any student who is now in 2nd grade or a physical exam for your 5th grade student before the summer rush.
*As the weather gets warmer, please send your student with their own water bottle to be used and refilled during the day.
Thank you for keeping us healthy and safe.
Kindergarten and Fifth Grade Buddies for National Read Aloud Day!
Counselors' Corner
Dear Parent or Guardian,
Hi, I am writing to you today to introduce the Student Assistance Program (SAP), provided by The Council of Southeast Pennsylvania, Inc., in the Bristol Township School District. Services are provided by a trained team of state-certified, Master’s level Student Assistance Program Counselors specifically assigned to the district. The school's SAP Counselors work in conjunction with your child’s teacher(s) to provide school-based prevention programs that meet the individual needs of the student. The SAP Counselor provides individual check-ins, various group offerings as well as behavioral health screenings and education. Services can be provided both in school and via a secure virtual platform.
The SAP team within your school consists of SAP trained, certified teachers, guidance counselors, social workers, administrators and the SAP Counselor. The team meets regularly to discuss students who may have been referred to the SAP team for various reasons. The goal of the team is to identify barriers that may be preventing the student from being successful and to implement the needed support services to assist him/her. The above-mentioned services may be recommended to you as an additional support. Should your child be referred to the SAP team you will be notified and asked to take part in the process. Your input is valuable as you know your child better than anyone else and can speak to any concerns that may arise.
Here are a few examples of why a student may be referred to SAP:
A concerning, unexplained drop in grades
Change in behaviors
Excessive tardiness/absences
Suspected vaping, or drug and alcohol use
Anyone can make a referral to the SAP team. Should you be concerned and wish to make a referral you can simply reach out to your child’s guidance counselor and express your concerns.
Angela Ensig (267) 599-2038 Grades K,2 &4
Jenna Pedersen (267) 599-2424 Grades 1,3 & 5
2022 Winter Olympics
Kindergarten Science Experiment
Bob Sledding!
THANK YOU! A Special THANK YOU to our Volunteers helping with lunch and recess!
"THANK YOU!" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OEz0oBRgxbs