Whole Child Newsletter
Week of July 6th, 2020
Whole Child Tidbits
What are these “Tidbits?”
Tidbits are literally that...very small pieces of information. Could be facts, quotes, statistics, Did You Know, links to resources, conversation starters, icebreakers.
Topics will be categorized using Educational and Whole Child language. Examples→ Tobacco/Vaping, Social-Emotional Learning, Staff Wellness, Literacy, Physical Activity, Remote Learning, etc.
Where do Tidbits come from?
Tidbits are everywhere! Tidbits can be found in scholarly articles, social media, the newspaper, water-cooler conversations, email blasts, etc. The trick is to make sure you are hearing/reading something reliable!
Who uses Tidbits?
Tidbits can be accessed and used by anyone on our Whole Child Website
Tidbits can be used to start a conversation or keep one going.
Example: Principals can put a mental health Tidbit on each staff meeting agenda and keep a desired topic alive for staff.
Why use Tidbits?
Because busy people care. Leaders want to impact an audience and create growth. At times, agendas are full but we still want to keep a philosophy or mission moving and all it takes is a quick reminder with a Tidbit of reliable information.
Or Tidbits can be used more intentionally. Pick a few out of a topic and prompt conversation to uncover strengths and areas of need.
How do I add to the Tidbit Library?
Please share a fun fact, motivational quote, or link to deep reading at this LINK
Consider the source when sharing. We want to avoid opinions and biased influences. Give an Objective foundation to a potentially Subjective matter.
Example: Did you know that 70% of teens think depression and anxiety are major issues with peers? (source)
Michigan's 2020-221 Return to School Roadmap
Virtual PD Opportunities for Educators
Effective Attendance Messaging and Interventions: Nudging Students and Parents to Engage
Tuesday, Jul. 7 @ 4 pm ET
Presented by Hedy Chang, Executive Director, Attendance Works; and Peter Bergman, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Columbia University
Hosted by Joanna Smith, Founder and CEO, AllHere Intelligent Attendance Interventions
Embracing Anti-Bias Classrooms: A Response to Racism in America
Wednesday, Jul. 8 @ 2 pm ET
Presented by Iheoma U. Iruka, Ph.D., Chief Research Innovation Officer & Director, HighScope Educational Research Foundation; Stephanie Curenton, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Boston University; Kerry-Ann Escayg, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, University of Nebraska at Omaha; and Tonia Durden, Ph.D., Clinical Associate Professor, Birth-Five Program Coordinator, Georgia State University
Recreating the Conditions for Learning This Fall
Thursday, Jul. 9 @ 3 pm ET
Presented by Angela Duckworth, Founder & CEO, Character Lab, Professor of Psychology, University of Pennsylvania, MacArthur Fellow; and Todd Rogers, Director, Harvard Student Social Support R&D Lab, Founder and Chief Scientist, EveryDay Labs
Top Five Tips for Managing Technology Use
Need help establishing technology rules in your home? Let technology bring your family closer to each other, not make the family its servant and keep you apart.
- Remind kids that use of technology is a privilege, not a right.
- Set a family media policy - decide who can use which forms of technology, when and where it's acceptable, and how you will monitor usage to ensure kids are staying safe online.
- Establish consequences, both positive and negative, for appropriate technology usage.
- Establish "technology-free" zones and times in your home when you all "unplug" and concentrate on communicating with each other and enjoying each other's company.
- Help your children achieve balance in their lives by encouraging them to stay physically active, enjoy reading, and learn to relax and have fun without electronics.
Getting the Brain Ready to Learn
Activities That Prime The Brain For Learning
These quick activities are a mix of guided mindfulness practices and brain breaks to increase learning capacity.
Why do Brain Breaks work better than "powering through" tasks and schedules? Take two minutes to watch this video and consider your classroom routines.
What Really Matters?
Additionally, BCBS of Michigan has joined other partners to fund the Building Healthy Communities: Step Up for School Wellness program. Schools in the program are provided training, curriculum, funds, and other tools to create a healthy school environment and support a culture of wellness. Schools can apply to join the program right now, but consider utilizing ISD support as well.
Please contact Eric Swihart (eric.swihart@jcisd.org) if you would like to find out more.
How Investing in Relationships Leads to Academic Growth
Click here to read an interview between EdSurge and Dr. Bill Daggett, founder of the International Center for Leadership in Education (ICLE) and former teacher, administrator, and director with the New York State Education Department.
The article addresses the following questions:
- What steps can administrators take to ensure that SEL and equity programs are in place and reaching all students?
- How do relationships impact social-emotional learning, mental health, and academic achievement?
- What’s the best way for schools to be nimble and responsive to the context their students are living in?
Staying Well: A Reassuring Video for Children
Social and Emotional Learning: Why We Must Act Now
"The impact of economic recovery efforts on mental health services no doubt will be distressing, but the impact it will have on education and on our young people’s social and emotional development will be even more devastating, unless we start now to prove the benefits of social and emotional learning (SEL) as a deterrent to mental illness.
We must act now to advocate for the adoption of educational standards in social and emotional development in every state legislature and with every state department of education across America. Social and emotional development must take equal, if not greater, priority as children return to school in the wake of the pandemic."
Click here to read more about the importance of prioritizing SEL and providing a distance learning environment that is tailored to meet every child's needs in an equitable way.
What Parents Can Do When They Are Stressed
1. Identify what sets you off
2. Walk away
3. Do something that calms you down
4. Call a friend or family member
Contact the Whole Child Team!
Janelle Buchler: Whole Child Consultant (janelle.buchler@jcisd.org)
Eric Swihart: Whole Child Coordinator (eric.swihart@jcisd.org)
Caitlin Williams: Attendance and Homeless Program Coordinator (caitlin.williams@jcisd.org)
Rebecca Hurst: Behavior Health Project Coordinator (rebecca.hurst@jcisd.org)
Kelsea Jabkiewicz: Data Integration and Medicaid Cost Recovery Coordinator (kelsea.jabkiewicz@jcisd.org)
Angela Maddox: Whole Child Secretary (angela.maddox@jcisd.org)