The Sharks PBIS News
St. Mary's Elementary - Summer 2020-2021
SHARKTASTIC News
Can you believe that we are at the end of the 2020-2021 school year? As we reflect on the year, we have many things to be thankful for. We are thankful for having the opportunity to return to school this year and having the chance to create the memories that have been made throughout the year. St. Mary's Elementary is thankful for having the opportunity to work with each and every one of your children.
We have also worked diligently to create a learning environment that was safe, supportive, and nurturing to our students. Our goal at St. Mary's Elementary is to care for the well-being of every child, and we hope that as we bring this year to a close, you and your family will leave this school year feeling the same. We came in this school year with many unknowns, and we are finishing this school year knowing that we made it through this year together successfully. We could not have done this without the support from the parents or guardians. From the bottom of our hearts, we thank you for taking the time to ensure that your child was masked and ready for their day of learning.
As summertime approaches, you may want to consider some summertime safety ideas and PBIS behavioral suggestions. We have provided you with 10 safety tips and 10 PBIS Behavioral tips listed below. St. Mary's Elementary School wishes you and your family fun-filled and safe summer vacation.
We are looking forward to your return in the 2021-2022 school year.
10 Summer Safety Tips for kids:
1. Keep watch to prevent drowning
Summer water safety should be top of mind for parents; regardless if you have a pool in your backyard or visit a community pool, It only takes seconds for drowning to happen. Actively supervise children at all times when in or around water, and make sure you have the right equipment to keep pools safe.
2. Look for signs of heat exhaustion
Cases of heat stroke spike during the summer months, and this can be life-threatening in children. Before heatstroke, kids often show milder symptoms such as heat cramps and heat exhaustion. Make sure children take water breaks and wear lightweight clothing when playing outside.
3. Check for car safety
Make sure your child's car seat is fitted correctly before hitting the road for a family vacation. Never leave a child unattended in a car. The temperature inside a vehicle can rise quickly, and just a few minutes can be the difference between life and death.
4. Protect skin from the sun
Apply sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher whenever your child is going to be outdoors. Reapply every three hours or immediately after your child has been in or splashed by water. Try to avoid outdoor activities during peak sunshine hours, and consider dressing children in sun-protective clothing.
5. Avoid bug bites
As the weather warms up, bugs come out in full force. Avoid bug bites, apply insect repellant before spending time outdoors, avoid using heavily scented soaps or lotions, and cover arms and legs as much as possible.
6. Enjoy fireworks safely
More than 10,000 people are treated in emergency departments in the U.S. each year due to injury from fireworks, and of these, nearly a third are children under 15. If you're celebrating the summer holidays with a bang, keep kids safe.
7. Drink enough water
Kids are more prone to dehydration than adults, and their risk increases as temperatures rise. The amount of water a child should drink varies by age, weight, and activity level. However, a general rule is taking half of your child's weight (up to 100 pounds) - and that's the number of ounces of water they should drink every day.
8. Don't monkey around
playground-related injuries account for more than 200,000 ER visits each year. Always supervise children on playgrounds, and choose the right play equipment for your child's age and skills. In the summer sun, it's also a good idea to touch equipment to check for hot surfaces before playing on them.
9. Wear a life jacket on boats
If you're heading to the lake to cool off this summer, make sure to bring a U.S. Coast Guard-approved personal flotation device. A properly fitted life jacket is snug yet comfortable and will not move above the chin or ears when you lift it at the shoulders.
10. Ride bikes the smart way
Apart from automobiles, bicycles are related to more childhood injuries than any other consumer product. Wearing a helmet is the first rule to preventing serious bicycle injuries in kids. Make sure bikes and helmets fit kids properly and follow smart rider rules (Health).
10 Behavior Positive Behavioral Intervention Support (PBIS) Strategies that Parents Can Use Today
Think about things your child enjoys and find rewarding or motivating. What are a few of your child's favorite activities?
1. Keep in min your child's strengths and interests. Set aside time to spend with your child when they are engaged in activities that matter to them.
2. Establish clear expectations at home. Keep your "house rule" similar to school expectations. The key is to be fair and age-appropriate when you reinforce the expectations.
3. Create routines for your family. Organize the day, so your child knows what is happening. Be clear about changes or new events like doctor's appointments or visitors. Give your child a helpful transition warning to let them know what is coming next.
4. Anticipate challenges and plan accordingly. Preventing challenging behavior is more manageable than addressing it at the moment. Know what things or times of day trigger your child to engage in challenging behavior. Choose activities where your child will experience success.
5. Try to be consistent and know how you are going to react. Say what you mean and mean what you say.
6. Model the behavior you want your child to learn.
7. Communicate clearly what behavior you want your child to demonstrate. Phrase directions in the positive, telling your child what you want them to do, not what you don't want them to.
8. Talk about feelings and use visuals to help your child understand. Tell them you know how they feel.
9. Look behind the behavior and see what your child may be trying to tell you. Try to remember that however a child is behaving; the child is doing the best he or she can at that moment in time.
10. Use positive reinforcement often. Genuine, specific praise has a powerful effect on your children's behavior. This includes their efforts to work hard at following your directions and any small steps in the right direction (n.d.).
References
Health, C. (n.d.). 10 summer safety tips for kids. Children's Health. https://www.childrens.com/health-wellness/10-summer-safety-tips-for-kids.
Family involvement is key when developing positive behavior support plans for students. PBIS. (n.d.). http://blogs.egusd.net/pbis/familycommunity-engagement/involvement-at-school/.