School Counselor Connection
September 2021
Say Something Week September 20-24, 2021
Whitney Elementary School is joining hundreds of other schools from across the United States in participating in Start With Hello Week, September 20- 24, 2021. Social isolation is an overwhelming feeling of being left out, lonely, or treated like you are invisible. Start With Hello Week brings attention to the growing epidemic of social isolation and empowers young people to create a culture of inclusion and connectedness within their school.
Throughout the week, there will be lessons and activities in all of our schools (grades PK-12) to kick off this initiative. Our hope is to teach our students the signs and signals of social isolation. Next, we want to empower our students with what to do if they notice someone who is feeling left out or alone. Finally, we will provide them tools like conversation starters or icebreakers to use after they start a conversation by saying hello. If even one child feels someone made a difference in their life by helping them feel accepted, included, and valued, our efforts will be worth it.
Tier I -Classroom Guidance from Second Step: Kindergarten, First, Second, Third, Fourth, and Fifth Grade
Over the course of this school year kindergarten through fifth grade students at Whitney will be learning about Growth Mindset & Goal Setting, Empathy & Kindness, Emotion Management, and Problem Solving using the Second Step digital curriculum. To further the discussion at home, please take a look at the family communications below regarding the corresponding lessons. To make the most of the family communications please check with your child to make sure they have received the lesson. Please contact me if you have further questions. My phone number is (440) 268-5971. My email is eschibley@scsmustangs.org.
The elementary school counseling department is excited to present classroom lessons using the Second Step Program. The letter below is an overview of the Second Step units that will be covered this year.
Family Communications
Summary
In this week’s lesson, your child will learn two important reasons for paying attention: to learn and to stay safe.
Try This at Home
Ask your child why they think it’s important to pay attention during different activities, for example, when listening to information or instructions, when helping out with a task, or when crossing the street with you.
First Grade: Lesson 1: Time to Pay Attention
Summary
In this week’s lesson, your child will learn that paying attention can look different depending on the situation, for example, listening to the teacher during a lesson, or looking both ways before crossing the street.
Try This at Home
Ask your child to show you how they can pay attention, for example, when you are reading a story with them, explaining a task, or crossing the street.
Imagine Neighborhood
Listen with your child to the Imagine Neighborhood podcast, Season 2, Episode 3: Shake Your Monkeys.
Second Grade: Lesson 1: How to Get Good at Something
Summary
In this week’s lesson, your child will learn that their best skills have developed as a result of practicing, trying hard, and asking for help.
Try This at Home
Ask your child to share with you what they’re good at and how they became good at it. Share with them something you’re good at and what you did to practice and try hard, and who you asked for help.
Third Grade: Lesson 2: Getting Better with Practice
Summary
In this week’s lesson, your child will learn that every time they practice a new a skill, the brain gets better at sending the messages for that skill.
Try This at Home
Ask your child to explain what happens in their brain when they practice.
Fourth Grade: Lesson 1: Setting a Good Goal
Summary
In this week’s lesson, your child’s class will work together to set a 2-week goal that’s specific, challenging, and doable.
Try This at Home
Ask your child to describe their class goal and explain what makes it challenging and doable for their class. Tell your child about a goal you recently set and what makes it challenging and doable for you.
Fifth Grade: Lesson 1: The Right Goal for Me
Summary
In this week’s lesson, your child will learn how to set a goal that's right for them. A goal that's right for someone is specific, challenging, doable, and motivating.
Try This at Home
Ask your child what their goal is and how they know it’s right for them. Encourage them to describe why it’s motivating to them. Talk to your child about a goal you reached in the past and why you chose that goal.
Love and Logic
Do you want your children to be the ones who easily give up when assignments get difficult… or do you hope they’ll have the confidence and grit required to keep going when the going gets tough?
To read more of the article click this link. https://www.mynewsletterbuilder.com/email/newsletter/1413586708