Bryant Blizzard News
April 30, 2020
A Note from Principal Amerson
Dear Bryant Families,
I hope you're healthy and well in this new normal. I'm writing to you today to thank you for the tremendous amount of work you've taken on. This is unfamiliar. This is hard. This is stressful. You are amazing!
We know that many of you did not sign up to be a teacher, and that, at times, at home learning has been overwhelming. I want you to know that we are here to support you! If things are feeling too overwhelming for your family, please reach out to your classroom teacher, our school counselor Mrs. Hennessey, our school secretary Mrs. Schultz, or myself. We are happy to help you navigate this situation and figure out a plan that will work for you. Please do not worry that your student might be behind because of this. Each student is an individual and has individual needs. If your student needs some extra help when this is all done, we will work hard to get them caught up.
Research has shown us that during emergencies, the time you spend with your child helping to teach resilience and perseverance is crucial. So take that walk together, read that book with your kiddo, ask deep questions at dinner, but most importantly, be there for them and let us be here for you.
We care about you all, and can't wait to be together again. Stay healthy!
-Matt Amerson
Stay Connected & Informed
- Please make sure you have up to date contact information on file with the school. As we are sending out emails and phone calls we want to make sure we are using the correct information.
- We will reach out with information regarding students' belongings in the building as soon as we are able.
We're in this together
From Mrs. Hennessey, School Counselor
Hi Blizzards! The weather is beautiful and the sun is shining - if I have to stay at home, the warmth and sunshine are welcome to surround me. I have been hearing from more parents in the past week about how difficult learning from home is. Kids want to give up and parents aren't far behind. I get it. We want this to be done. And at the same time, we don't want our kids to fall too far behind. My advice is that you do as much as you can and don't give up. This might look different every day or every week - that is okay. Model the skills that you want your child to use in any difficult situation. Do your best, take breaks, reach out for support, and use a growth mindset!
Encourage them to do their best! Point out that you notice the small accomplishments and really celebrate overcoming the difficult tasks! Simple right? Yep! Educators work really hard to do this all day, every day!
Allow them to take breaks. Move away, move their bodies, and come back. Having a calm space that allows them to get what feeds their minds and souls is so important. Calm corners are used in our classrooms. You can use them at home too! Here's some more details.
Reach out for support. Reach out to your kids' teachers. Ask them for the essential work and to help you make a plan. They are really amazing resources - use them! I e-mail my kids' teacher all the time. They know what they are doing and they know my kids. Some kids need more adult support than others - believe me, your kid's teachers know this and are there to help!
Also use a growth mindset! Our brains actually learn more when we struggle than when things come easily. We just need to have a Growth Mindset - Not a Fixed Mindset. The SEL team shares more below! Remind your kids about NED (parents might remember the Yo-Yos) - Never Give UP, Encourage Others, and Do Your Best!
I hope you are all hanging in there. Please do not hesitate to let me know if you need more info about anything here or beyond. We are cheering for you, parents! This emergency learning is tough. And we are here to support you!
Take Care,
Mrs. Hennessey
From the SEL Team
Bryant has a Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Team who works together to offer additional support to our students and staff. This team includes Speech and Language Pathologist - Mary Balcer, Special Education Teachers and Interventionists - Amanda Van Damme & Teri Thatcher, and School Counselor - Carrie Hennessey. Here is an added message from them:
This week’s focus is on a growth mindset. The situation we are currently in is out of our control so we are all going to struggle and we are going to want to quit. This is not easy. It is okay to struggle or become frustrated, but it is important not to give up. Appreciate all you are doing and celebrate the successes no matter how small. It is important to help teach your kids to not give up by modeling a growth mindset. People with a growth mindset are not afraid of hard work, understand that learning takes practice and hard work can help you become a better learner. Model a growth mindset. Show kids how to recognize fixed mindset thoughts and how to replace them with growth mindset thoughts.
Instead of saying, “I’m so stupid.”
-> say “What am I missing?”
Instead of saying, “I’m not good at math (or any other subject).”
-> say I’m not good at math – yet.”
Instead of saying, “This is too hard.”
-> say “This is going to take some time and effort.”
Instead of saying, “I give up!”
-> say “I’ll use some of the strategies I’ve learned.”
Instead of saying, “I made a mistake.”
->say “Mistakes help me learn.”
The video below is a message of encouragement from Snail’s Uncle:
Thank You,
The Bryant SEL Team
Stay Busy
FREE Educational Websites
At-Home Projects
On a beautiful day like today, you could try this activity to make your own sidewalk chalk.
You will need:
- 1/3 cup baking soda
- 1/3 cup cornstarch
- 3/4-1 cup water
- food coloring (for bright vivid colors, use food color gel)
- paint brushes, squeeze bottles, or spray bottles.
Have fun decorating your sidewalks and spreading cheer to those who walk by.
Virtual Scholastic Book Fair
Visit the Bear's Den from home
Bryant Elementary School
School Secretary - Anne Schultz, ext 20100
Counselor - Carrie Hennessey, ext 20228
School Nurse - Carrie Gallagher, ext 20103
Email: LeAnn.Egnash@superior.k12.wi.us
Website: www.superior.k12.wi.us
Location: 1423 Central Ave, Superior, WI, United States
Phone: 715-394-8785
Facebook: www.facebook.com/Bryant-Elementary