Blue Ash Elementary February
February 15, 2018
Talking to Children About Violence: Tips for Parents
High profile acts of violence, particularly in schools, can confuse and frighten children who may feel in danger or worry that their friends or loved-ones are at risk. They will look to adults for information and guidance on how to react. Parents and school personnel can help children feel safe by establishing a sense of normalcy and security and calmly responding to students about their feelings.
Our teachers and counselor, Leslie Shoals, are prepared to talk with children should they express concerns or fears.
We wanted to share information with parents from the National Association of School Psychologists:
Reassure children that they are safe. Emphasize that schools are very safe. Validate their feelings. Explain that all feelings are okay when a tragedy occurs. Let children talk about their feelings, help put them into perspective, and assist them in expressing these feelings appropriately.
Make time to talk. Let their questions be your guide as to how much information to provide. Be patient; children and youth do not always talk about their feelings readily. Watch for clues that they may want to talk, such as hovering around while you do the dishes or yard work. Some children prefer writing, playing music, or doing an art project as an outlet. Young children may need concrete activities (such as drawing, looking at picture books, or imaginative play) to help them identify and express their feelings.
Keep your explanations developmentally appropriate.
Early elementary school children need brief, simple information that should be balanced with reassurances that their school and homes are safe and that adults are there to protect them. Give simple examples of school safety like reminding children about exterior doors being locked, child monitoring efforts on the playground, and emergency drills practiced during the school day.
Upper elementary and early middle school children will be more vocal in asking questions about whether they truly are safe and what is being done at their school. They may need assistance separating reality from fantasy. Discuss efforts of school and community leaders to provide safe schools.
Upper middle school and high school students will have strong and varying opinions about the causes of violence in schools and society. They will share concrete suggestions about how to make school safer and how to prevent tragedies in society. Emphasize the role that students have in maintaining safe schools by following school safety guidelines (e.g. not providing building access to strangers, reporting strangers on campus, reporting threats to the school safety made by students or community members, etc.), communicating any personal safety concerns to school administrators, and accessing support for emotional needs.
Review safety procedures. This should include procedures and safeguards at school and at home. Help children identify at least one adult at school and in the community to whom they go if they feel threatened or at risk.
Observe children’s emotional state. Some children may not express their concerns verbally. Changes in behavior, appetite, and sleep patterns can also indicate a child’s level of anxiety or discomfort. In most children, these symptoms will ease with reassurance and time. However, some children may be at risk for more intense reactions. Children who have had a past traumatic experience or personal loss, suffer from depression or other mental illness, or with special needs may be at greater risk for severe reactions than others. Seek the help of mental health professional if you are at all concerned.
Limit television viewing of these events. Limit television viewing and be aware if the television is on in common areas. Developmentally inappropriate information can cause anxiety or confusion, particularly in young children. Adults also need to be mindful of the content of conversations that they have with each other in front of children, even teenagers, and limit their exposure to vengeful, hateful, and angry comments that might be misunderstood.
Maintain a normal routine. Keeping to a regular schedule can be reassuring and promote physical health. Ensure that children get plenty of sleep, regular meals, and exercise. Encourage them to keep up with their schoolwork and extracurricular activities but don’t push them if they seem overwhelmed.
Suggested Points to Emphasize When Talking to Children
Schools are safe places. School staff works with parents and public safety providers (local police and fire departments, emergency responders, hospitals, etc.) to keep you safe.
The school building is safe because … (cite specific school procedures).We all play a role in the school safety. Be observant and let an adult know if you see or hear something that makes you feel uncomfortable, nervous or frightened.
There is a difference between reporting, tattling or gossiping. You can provide important information that may prevent harm either directly or anonymously by telling a trusted adult what you know or hear.
Although there is no absolute guarantee that something bad will never happen, it is important to understand the difference between the possibility of something happening and probability that it will affect you (our school community).
Senseless violence is hard for everyone to understand. Doing things that you enjoy, sticking to your normal routine, and being with friends and family help make us feel better and keep us from worrying about the event.
Sometimes people do bad things that hurt others. They may be unable to handle their anger, under the influence of drugs or alcohol, or suffering from mental illness. Adults (parents, teachers, police officers, doctors, faith leaders) work very hard to get those people help and keep them from hurting others. It is important for all of us to know how to get help if we feel really upset or angry and to stay away from drugs and alcohol.
Stay away from guns and other weapons. Tell an adult if you know someone has a gun. Access to guns is one of the leading risk factors for deadly violence.
Violence is never a solution to personal problems. Students can be part of the positive solution by participating in anti-violence programs at school, learning conflict mediation skills, and seeking help from an adult if they or a peer is struggling with anger, depression, or other emotions they cannot control.
NASP has additional information for parents and educators on school safety, violence prevention, children’s trauma reactions, and crisis response at www.nasponline.org.
Security
Sycamore School District will soon be implementing a system to enhance our security and allow us to manage our visitors more effectively within every building.
We will be using "Lobby Guard" which will require all visitors to have and produce identification before entering our buildings. The "Lobby Guard" system will scan the identification and then produce a sticker that contains the visitor's photo.
Please be aware that If visitors do not have an ID, they will not be given access to the school. We will provide more information as we get closer to the implementation date.
"School Supplies to Enrich Lives"
Please join us in our efforts to support our student leaders at Sycamore High School as they make a difference in our community. All donations can be dropped off in the bin located in the front lobby of our school.
Click on the link below for a special message from our student leaders:
A note From Mrs. Bush
The district’s fine art show is coming up March 2-4, starting with an opening night reception Friday from 5:30-7:30. I have been saving the students artwork all year, as I’ve done in years past, and have a wonderful collection from which I can select. Approximately 200 of Blue Ash Elementary students will have artwork on display at the show. I will send a note home the week before the show, if your student has an artwork in the show. I encourage everyone to attend, whether they have something in the show or not. Every year I am blown away by the students’ artistic talents!
See info below!
Announcing....Opening Night at the District Art Show!
The art continues for the weekend! Check it out!
Testing Schedule
BAE Families,
There are several assessments given to students during the spring months. Students within grades 2, 3, 4 will take the Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) assessments, first graders take the MPG, in reading and math during the week of March 19-23. MAP/MPG assessments occur three times throughout the year. These assessments are unique in that they are adaptive. This means that the test becomes more difficult the more questions a child answers correctly. When a student incorrectly answers a question, the test becomes easier. Therefore, your students test is specifically created for his or her learning level. In addition, the tests are aligned with the district curriculum, and are taken online via school provided laptops. From these assessments, teachers receive data to influence their instruction and are better able to create flexible groupings, adjust time spent on certain topics, provide additional scaffolding for students, set goals for class/individual growth, and reflect on teaching practices.
OELPA assessments are given to those students in grades kindergarten through fourth that speak English as a second language. Alternately assessed students, in third and fourth grade, take the AASCD assessment. Third and fourth graders will take AIR assessments in English Language Arts (ELA) and Math. These annual state assessments provide a snapshot of our student’s progress in their understanding and application of curriculum standards. These results allow us to benchmark ourselves and identify trends in data that will guide our work with students.
Below, please find a testing schedule. As the schedule pertains to MAP, please see your student’s teacher about their specific testing days and times, as these vary by class and grade level.
Please be mindful of scheduling appointments, vacations or missed school days around the assessment schedule. It is our hope that students are well rested, eat a well balanced breakfast and arrive to school on time each day, especially on days they are to take an assessment.
Thank you!
Shed the Threads!
Clothes Bin Challenge
All of our schools are in a competition against each other to see who can recycle the most clothing (using our recycling bins at the edge of our front parking lot).
Please take some time to go through your closets at home and bring in any items that you would like to donate....regardless of the condition.
Any clothing items that are still in good condition will be donated, while items that are soiled or worn will be recycled to make new clothing, blankets etc.
What a great way to help our school, our community and our environment!!