OB Virtual Holiday Traditions Scrapbook

 Click here to learn more about how our OB Community celebrates winter holidays.   

                                                                                        

We encourage you to add recipes, stories, videos and pictures of your families holiday traditions to share with the rest of our Old Bonhomme family. 

We will print the pictures off and display them throughout the school.  We will also share the finished product with you.

A Strategy to Let Go of a Bothersome Feeling

Mindfulness Activity--Body Scan

Are You a Halloween Fan?

For all those who enjoy celebrating Halloween, and are feeling disappointed or frustrated about not doing so in the same way you traditionally do, I wanted to share a story I recently heard--one year a family couldn't go out trick or treating (I forget the reason why), so instead the parents got their kid's favorite candy, hid it around the house, turned of most of the lights and had a spooky search for it. Afterward they had pizza and watched their favorite Halloween movie together. The whole family enjoyed it!

This story reminded me of the resiliency and creativity that people can show when things can't go as we may like. If you're looking for some safer ways to celebrate Halloween this year, here are some ideas of low risk activities from the CDC: 

• Carving or decorating pumpkins with members of your household and displaying them
• Carving or decorating pumpkins outside, at a safe distance, with neighbors or friends
• Decorating your house, apartment, or living space
• Doing a Halloween scavenger hunt where children are given lists of Halloween-themed things to look for while they walk outdoors from house to house admiring Halloween decorations at a distance
• Having a virtual Halloween costume contest
• Having a Halloween movie night with people you live with
• Having a scavenger hunt-style trick-or-treat search with your household members in or around your home rather than going house to house

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/holidays.html#halloween

Virtual Fall Parade

Participate in our Virtual Fall parade by adding a picture of your child and or family doing a fall activity. This can be your child in a costume, visiting an apple orchard, raking leaves, carving pumpkins, or some other activity you all enjoy doing together. Please include your child’s name and class.  If you would like you can also include a description. Slides will be printed and displayed in the hallway.  The slide show will also be shared in next week’s newsletter for you to view at home. Please add your pictures to the slide show or email them to harnold@ladueschools.net by next Wednesday, October 28, 2020. 

Next week we will also be having a Fall Theme Week to celebrate the hard work everyone did in the first quarter. You can participate whether you are in the building or virtual.

Grounding Strategy--I Am Here

Student Tip

This student is a baker and finds it is a great way to relieve stress. She recently taught Mrs. Arnold how to make a cookie cake. She told her to buy a cake mix and cookie mix.  Mix them together then put her favorite icing on top with some sprinkles. Mrs. Arnold's family chose banana cake, chocolate chip cookie mix, cream cheese frosting and chocolate sprinkles. It was delicious. We are always learning from our students.  Does your child have a tip they would like to share with us? If so, send it to Mrs. Arnold (harnold@ladueschools.net) or Ms. Carey (kcarey@ladueschools.net).

Grounding Strategy--Stomp, Stomp, Blow

A Little Spot Wears A Mask

 A Little Spot Wears a Mask is written by Diane Alber you can purchase this and her other books at dianealber.com.  You can also visit her web site to find printable resources to go with the book. 

Grounding Strategy--Object Focus

Grounding Strategy--Power Hug

Grounding Strategy--Room Search

Grounding Strategy--Something I See That Starts With...

Grounding Strategy--Be a tree

Be An Emotion Scientist

 

Explore. Identify. Observe. Research. Explore your feelings and help your child explore their feelings as well. Explore why you are feeling the way you feel. Look deeper than the normal surface feelings of happy, sad, and mad. Identify what the root feeling is? Are you lonely, embarrassed, nervous, or excited? Observe your and others facial expressions and body posture. Research more about feelings and how to navigate them. Students can find stories about feelings on their School Counseling Clever page.

Grounding Strategy--What do I see?

Resilience Group

Purpose: To talk and learn with other kids about their experiences related to COVID19, practice identifying feelings and thoughts, share and find new ways to cope, feel better and build hope. 

Who: 3rd & 4th Grade Students are invited to participate. It will be co-facilitated by one of the school counselors Hayley Arnold or Kristine Carey and Jorie Gold, OId Bonhomme's school based therapist through Jewish Family Services. Groups will be made up of up to 6-8 students and 2 facilitators. 

When:  Each session will be during WIN time from 3:20-4:00 P.M. on Monday or Wednesday starting the week of September 13. The groups will meet via Zoom once a week for three weeks. 

How do I sign my child up? - Complete this form. You will get an email confirmation before the groups start. 

A Little Spot Learns Online

Here is a story to get you ready for school.  A Little Spot Learns Online A Story About Virtual Classroom Expectations written and illustrated by Diane Alber.  Visit her web site to check out her other books and resources. 

 

Social Emotional Resources Related to COVID-19

Looking for ways to continue working on social and emotional learning at home? Click on this link to access a centralized website of social/emotional resources that includes self-care tips for adults and helpful resources for parents.

The Benefits of Laughter

Remember when I talked about building a Sensory Toolkit?

Week 7 - Let's 'Due Resiliency Together

Our aim is not to overwhelm you or your students during an already overwhelming time, so please know these resources and activities are not "have-to's.” Pick and choose any or all of these activities as ways to support the overall social and emotional growth of your child(ren).
	Physical  Do you know that yoga offers so many benefits to your health? Yoga can reduce your stress level, improve your sleep quality, and reminds you of the power of your breathing! Here’s an example from the book Alphabreaths. Dolphin Breath- Breathe in as you lift your arms up high. Breathe out as you imagine diving into the ocean. Can you come up with your own breathing technique?
	Emotional  What are you looking forward to when the stay-at-home order is lifted?  Things we are missing now can become what we are looking forward to in the future! Hope in the future helps us feel better! Changing missing to looking forward is an example of cognitive reframing.  You can see Ms. Carey talk about this here and use it to make a Joy Jar. Make your very own Joy Jar to hold the things you are looking forward to. What will be in your Joy Jar?
	Social  Does staying at home so much have you missing social events? What are some creative ways that you are staying connected, even at a distance?  Here is one creative way that Ms. Carey is still socializing with “friends.”  Want to share your creative ways of being social?  Put it on your favorite social media platform using the hashtag #social(ish) and tag @LadueSchools.

Provided by your Ladue Elementary School Counselors & Social Emotional Behavioral Team

Cognitive Reframing

Week 6 - Let's 'Due Resiliency Together

Our aim is not to overwhelm you or your students during an already overwhelming time, so please know these resources and activities are not "have-to's.” Pick and choose any or all of these activities as ways to support the overall social and emotional growth of your child(ren).
	Physical  Watch this video to learn why breathing helps our brains be at their very best. Practice some deep breathing with Breath With Me, or do deep breathing by imagining a hot bowl of soup and smelling it and then cooling it down with your breath. Why is breathing so important? Every part of our body relies on oxygen. Breathing in oxygen the right way helps our brains work better, our bodies rest better, and the food we eat digest better. It keeps our immune systems at their best and reduces stress and anxiety.
	Emotional  Did you know music can help us feel our feelings and calm us at the same time? Music has taken on an even bigger role of easing the stress and uncertainty from the COVID-19 pandemic.   Make your own playlist of songs you can listen to when feeling overwhelmed. Click the link above for suggestions. Share your playlist with your family and friends.
	Social  Did you know the week of May 4-8 is Teacher Appreciation Week? May 6 is also Nurse Appreciation Day!Did you know the week of May 4-8 is Teacher Appreciation Week? May 6 is also Nurse Appreciation Day! Reach out and show some love to your teachers and nurse by sending them an email, writing them a poem, or making them a video telling them all the ways you appreciate them.

Provided by your Ladue Elementary School Counselors & Social Emotional Behavioral Team

Sensory Overload

Week 5 - Let's 'Due Resiliency Together

Our aim is not to overwhelm you or your students during an already overwhelming time, so please know these resources and activities are not "have-to's.” Pick and choose any or all of these activities as ways to support the overall social and emotional growth of your child(ren).
	Physical  Did you know dancing has lots of health benefits? It can also improve your mood! Get moving and dancing by following along to some dance videos such as the Cha Cha Slide, the Cupid Shuffle, the Macarena, or the YMCA (ask your parents what that is!). You can do the Floss, the Dab, or better yet… create your own and give it a fun name (e.g., the Shelter-in-Place Shuffle).
	Emotional  Are the days starting to feel long? Feel like you’re stuck in a movie that keeps replaying over and over? A great way to combat this is to use positive self-talk! Telling yourself hopeful messages is a great way to persevere. Just like Dory says in the movie Finding Nemo, “Just keep swimming!”  What is a motto that you can use to stay hopeful? Better yet, create one yourself! Share it with your counselor by emailing it to her. You can also download the following doodle coloring page and when it’s complete, you can hang it in your learning space to remind you when you start to feel discouraged.
	Social  Missing your friends? Craving connection? There are lots of ways to stay connected even during this time of social distancing. Host a virtual play date for your friends! Here are some ideas: have a show and tell, do a read-aloud with a friend, do a lip-synch battle, ask “would you rather” questions, or have a dance party!  Click here for even more ideas!

Provided by your Ladue Elementary School Counselors & Social Emotional Behavioral Team

Building a Sensory Toolkit

ABC's for Parents of Little Ones

Conscious Discipline has this visual and other free resources to help you through this time. 

Social Emotional Learning Game

Social Emotional Learning Game Zoo U (2-4) and Zoo Academy (K-1) are online, game-like, resources that teach and reinforce communication, cooperation, empathy, emotional regulation, impulse control, and social initiation. Some students already have accounts and can continue using this resource while at home. Please complete this short form if you would like an account for your child (or if they have an account and cannot remember their login information). Once the account is set up more information will follow.

Request a Meeting with A Counselor

Click here if your child would like to connect with Mrs. Arnold or Ms. Carey our school counselors.  They can write, email, call or Zoom with your child. Students can also go to the OB dashboard and click on the counselor request button or click on the Counselor Requests tab at the top of this page.

Week 4 Let's 'Due Resiliency Together

Our aim is not to overwhelm you or your students during an already overwhelming time, so please know these resources and activities are not "have-to's.” Pick and choose any or all of these activities as ways to support the overall social and emotional growth of your child(ren).
	Physical  Did you know doing chores is a great way to get exercise?  Make a list of all the things you can do at home to help out AND get moving. Helpful ideas: Unload the dishwasher, vacuum the floor, take out the trash, pick up after yourself, fold the laundry.
	Emotional  Did you know doing something nice for someone else makes them and you feel better?  Kind ideas: Make a card or poster for your parents or another loved one. Leave a message on the bathroom mirror or their pillow.  Decorate their bedroom door.
	Social  What is for dinner?  Meals are a great time to socialize and connect with family members. Click here for some examples of fun conversation starters. Yummy ideas: Make a simple meal to serve the family and/or come up with something to talk about when you are sharing a meal with your family. Make it extra special by decorating the table.

Provided by your Ladue Elementary School Counselors & Social Emotional Behavioral Team

Deep Breathing

Week 3 Let's 'Due Resiliency Together

Our aim is not to overwhelm you or your students during an already overwhelming time, so please know these resources and activities are not "have-to's.” Pick and choose any or all of these activities as ways to support the overall social and emotional growth of your child(ren).
	Physical  Hungry? Then it is time to re-fuel. Food supplies the nutrients needed to fuel your body so you can be your best.  Go, Slow, Whoa is a simple way to recognize foods that are the healthiest choices.  • "Go" Foods: You can eat almost anytime -- low in fat and added sugar • "Slow" Foods: You can eat sometimes -- higher in fat, added sugar • "Whoa" Foods: You should only eat once in a while -- very high in fat and/or added sugar Start using these words to think about what you are eating or track it by clicking here.
	Emotional  What if?  Sometimes we hear scary information and start asking “What if...this bad thing….?” Fred Rogers said: “When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, ‘Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.’”  Who are your helpers? Can you name one helper?
	Social  Missing someone? Reach out with a virtual high-five or hug. Mail, email, or text a hug or high five to someone you care about. You can send a high five by tracing your hand and then draw or write a special message on the palm. You can also make and mail a hug using the example shown.

Provided by your Ladue Elementary School Counselors & Social Emotional Behavioral Team

Message from your Counselors

Week 2 Let's 'Due Resiliency Together

Our aim is not to overwhelm you or your students during an already overwhelming time, so please know these resources and activities are not "have-to's.” Pick and choose any or all of these activities as ways to support the overall social and emotional growth of your child(ren).
	Physical  Thirsty? Fluid Facts for Kids - Drinking water is the best way to get rid of that thirst. Children should have 5-7 glasses of water a day. Guess what this will do for you… -Get rid of toxins (the icky stuff) in your body -Make you feel more awake -Boost your body’s ability to defend itself -Help move all the good stuff you eat through your body …..And so much more!! Keep track of how much water you drink today. Did you make the 5-7 glass goal?
	Emotional  Do you have ANTS (Automatic Negative Thoughts)? If so, try reframing the negative thoughts.   Example:  ANT - I am not good at online learning.  Reframe - I just started learning online and it will take time to figure it out.  Write or draw your ANTs. Then write or draw a way to reframe them. Research says writing or drawing our feelings down is good for our immune system.
	Social  Missing your friends? Craving some connection? Chalk Your Walk!  Use sidewalk chalk to write messages on your driveway or sidewalk to share positive messages for friends and neighbors. You could also draw a picture or put a positive message on a piece of paper and tape it to your front door or a window.

Provided by your Ladue Elementary School Counselors & Social Emotional Behavioral Team