Cougar Corner
Februaury Edition
Fostering Student Wellness Together
We want to work with you to foster wellness in our children. We have committed staff that will be alert to the issues our students bring to us. We want you to know that in each of our buildings we have school nurses, school counselors, school psychologists, and school social workers along with our teachers, administrators and staff that will be available to our students to process their concerns. Open communication between home and school is critical to the well-being of our students.
In our schools, we work daily to help students deal with the stresses they face. Parents are our partners in helping their children learn to face challenges successfully, whether it is the stresses of everyday life, such as academic difficulties or problems with friends, or severe adversity, such as a serious illness or family crisis.
The National Association of School Psychologists recommends the following to build resiliency:
1. Think positive! Modeling positive attitudes and emotions is very important. Children need to hear adults thinking out loud positively and being determined to persist until a goal is achieved. Using a “can do” problem-solving approach to problems teaches children a sense of power and promise.
2. Express love and gratitude! Emotions such as love and gratitude increase resiliency. Children who are cared for, loved, and supported learn to express positive emotions to others. Positive emotions buffer kids against depression and other negative reactions to adversity.
3. Express yourself! Resilient people appropriately express all emotions, even negative ones. Adults who help kids become more aware of emotions, label emotions appropriately, and help children deal with upsetting events are giving them useful life skills.
4. Get fit! Good physical health prepares the body and mind to be more resilient. Healthy eating habits, regular exercise and adequate sleep protect kids against the stress of tough situations. Regular exercise also decreases negative emotions such as anxiety, anger, and depression.
5. Foster competency! Making sure that children achieve academically is great protection against adversity. Also, children who develop individual talents are much more likely to feel competent and are able to deal with stress positively. Working together we can help children see their strengths.
Protecting our children against all of life’s unexpected painful events is not possible. Giving them a sense of competency and the skills to face adverse circumstances can be a valuable gift to our children. Resiliency can be built by understanding these important foundations. The more we practice these approaches; the better able our children will be to weather whatever life brings.
Parent Teacher Conferences
East High School will be hosting Parent - Teacher Conferences on Monday February 6. Parent-Teacher Conferences offers us a great opportunity to engage in important dialog about the progress of our students. We have included a few things to think about and things you might do to ensure for a successful conference regarding your child’s progress.
Place: Mankato East High School, teachers classrooms.
Suggestion: Limit your conferences to approximately 5 - 10 min
General Parent Questions
1. How is my child doing?
2. How do you evaluate the success of my child?
3. Where is my child headed academically?
4. What do you expect my child to achieve?
5. Is my child keeping up with the class?
6. What must my child do to improve?
Other Presentations To Attend
Sophomore Parent Night at 5:00 pm in the auditorium
Junior Parent Night at 6:00 pm in the auditorium
Other Possible Topics of Discussion at the Parent/Teacher Conference
Questions regarding
How we do school…
Expectations for classroom behavior/participation - Academic progress (challenges & successes)
Methods of grading and testing
Ability to follow directions
Policies regarding homework
Listening skills and work habits
Options for support offered at our school
Ideas of how parents can help
(ex. M-CAP after school help, NHS peer tutoring)
Citizenship, attitude and effort
Use planner for organization
Evaluation system used
Available school and community services
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Teacher Dinner Break Schedule –2/6/2017
· 5:00–5:30 – Group #1 – A - H
· 5:30-6:00 –Group #2 - I - P
· 6:00–6:30 – Group #3 - Q - Z