Bullying Prevention

We have been focusing on Bullying Prevention in our Guidance Lessons with 1st and 5th Grade students.

1st grade students learned about bullying prevention and how to keep our school a safe place to be! Students read the book One by Katherine Otoshi and viewed a short video. Along with discussion and activities, students learned about the difference of a Power Person or an Upstander. Student identified and practiced 4 key action items about the ways we can be Upstanders here at Findley: Be a Buddy, Interrupt, Speak Out, and Tell Someone. We all have the power within ourselves to make a difference in the lives of others and in our school--It just takes "One"! Ask your child about what it means to be a Power Person and what choice they could make to make Findley a safe place for all.

See below for the book, One and a short video from the NED Shows. Thank you for supporting this learning by asking your child about their Guidance Lesson!

We know the 5th grade students have been working hard on thinking about how Rights can be impacted by decisions people make. Stretching their thinking, we discussed how this idea pertains to how their decisions impact other people and their rights at school every day. Students identified what a Right is and what their rights are as students. Viewing a video, students worked to think about what kinds of decisions they and others make that couple impact these rights at school. Identifying what it means to be an Upstander versus a Bystander, students reflected on person choices they could make to ensure everyone is safe and respected in our school and community. Lessons also included discussions about technology and how the choices we make online could impact others rights to feel safe at school and to not be bullied.

Every day--the choices we make impact other people. We have a choice to be someone who is an Upstander or a Power Person, someone who does the bullying, or someone who is a Bystander. What will you choose?

Mindfulness Guidance Lessons: 4th grade students have been learning about strategies to help with the stress-response in our bodies. Student learned about the parts of the brain connected to our stress-responses and the impact throughout the rest of our bodies. We worked to identify and become aware of our own bodily stress-responses, and engaged in several mindfulness activities that can be used as a way to clam the activated parts in our brain, resulting in the ability to lower our bodily response, bringing awareness to the present moment. Ask your child about what they have learned about the brain and mindfulness strategies. See below for a link to our presentation on the brain and to view the book, I Am Peace.

How Our Brains Work

We are fortunate to have been invited to February's PTO meeting, where we shared a presentation on our counseling program. We discussed Social and Emotional Learning and what it means to educate the whole child. Social and Emotional Learning is the process through which children and adults acquire and effectively apply the knowledge, attitudes, and skills necessary to understand and manage emotions, set and achieve positive goals, feel and show empathy for others, establish and maintain positive relationships, and make responsible decisions (CASEL). Please see below for a link to our counseling website.

Educate the Heart

The Counselors will be forming small groups this winter! We have designated the months of February and April to use this time for 'small groups'. Identifying a common area of need, various students will have the opportunity to participate in group counseling. Small group counseling topics may include: social skills, friendships, anger and stress management, and family changes. We will be reaching out to families to talk about this opportunity!

Findley Counselors are so thankful for parent support and input! Thank you for reading our newsletter and for letting us be a part of your child's life. We love our Findley Dragon Community! Have a wonderful winter season!