River Birch Insider
August 14, 2020
Mr. Kingery and Mrs. Gorgas
Collaborating Safely
Leading the Way!
Capturing our Thoughts
We Belong!
Caught being Leaders!
Popsicle Math
Student Teacher
Play and Learn
"Strong" Words
Leadership Focus: Habit 1 Be Proactive
Ms. Kopke, Guidance Counselor
Supporting Your Kids At Home
Parents across the country are wondering how to support their kids at home: in their social lives, academic needs, and growing consciousness of the larger world. Social-emotional learning (SEL) is a powerful tool to help kids make sense of themselves and situations around them. No one could have expected 2020 to bring so many frustrations, twists, and turns, but social-emotional skills—such as empathy, patience, self-awareness, and the ability to handle big emotions—remain a constant source of resilience and understanding. At River Birch, we are using the Second Step curriculum in partnership with our Leader In Me curriculum to teach Social-Emotional Learning. Students will not only work on learning self-regulation skills but they will continue to work on being leaders and learners. The synergy between these two curricula is outstanding. Our children will truly be learning to learn, and lead so that they are able to grow and make a difference.
A question that I am asked frequently is, “There are a lot of big emotions in my home right now! What tips do you have for managing those emotional responses?”
My answer is: “Work to maintain your own calmness. Pause for a few seconds in order to plan what you want to say. Take a deep breath or two, then help your child do the same. Assure them you understand that it’s frustrating or even a little scary to not know what’s going to happen. These big emotions are often opportunities to begin a conversation about what your child is hoping for or worried about. You can also revisit the conversation later when your child is calmer and has had some time to make sense of that feeling of uncertainty.”
Picture Day is Coming August 18!
Picture Day is scheduled for Tuesday, August 18. The link below will lead you through purchasing pictures online. E-Learning students are welcome to join us for pictures on this day from 7:30-8:30 a.m. and enter through the front office. All other students will be scheduled throughout the school day.
Order Code is: 51682Z
Calendar of Events
Vision
Educate. Excite. Excel.
The students of River Birch Elementary have access to the education every child needs along with the learning and life experiences they deserve, so they can succeed today and tomorrow.
Mission
River Birch Learning Leaders create a safe, welcoming, and supportive environment that provides opportunities for learning and leadership through interdisciplinary experiences supported by strong relationships with students, family, and community.
Beliefs
The River Birch Way promotes community, collaboration, and a safe and productive learning environment. The River Birch Way says that as leaders we are:
Safe: Students at River Birch Elementary keep their hands and feet to themselves, use materials and equipment as instructed, and follow emergency procedures led by their teachers.
Respectful: Students at River Birch Elementary show whole body listening, follow the River Birch Rules, and are kind to others.
Responsible: Students at River Birch Elementary take ownership of their actions.
Leaders: Students at River Birch Elementary find their voice by using the 7 Habits of Happy Kids to be their best selves in school, at home, and in our community.
River Birch Elementary
Principal
Mrs. Heather Gorgas, HMGorgas@avon-schools.org
Assistant Principal
Ms. Kyle Kopke, KEKopke@avon-schools.org
Counselor
Email: hmgorgas@avon-schools.org
Website: avon-schools.org/riverbirch
Location: 5456 East County Road 75 North, Avon, IN, USA
Phone: 317.544.6800
Facebook: facebook.com/RiverBirch.Elem
Twitter: @RiverBirch_Elem