Unity Day

Unity Day is on Wednesday, October 19th. Unity Day is observed during National Bullying Prevention Month and has been recognized in the United States since 2011. To participate in Unity Day, individuals, schools, communities, and businesses wear orange to unite for kindness, acceptance, and inclusion to prevent bullying. We encourage everyone at Old Bonhomme to wear orange on October 19. 

In our CARE Time counseling lessons this week, students decorated squares with things important to them.  Each staff member will also have the opportunity to create a square.  The squares will be put together to create an Old Bonhomme Unity Flag. We hope it serves as a reminder of all we bring together here at Old Bonhomme.

Be Curious Not Judgemental

In our K-3 school counseling lesson this week we practiced asking questions and listening to help us learn about others. You can help your child by encouraging conversations inside and outside of your home.  Practicing helps us improve our communication skills. The more we get to know others the more we realize how much we have in common.

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This week school counselors were in classrooms exploring the topic of building self-awareness with our K-3 students. They practiced noticing what they were feeling in their bodies, identifying what their body was trying to tell them and what they could do to take care of themselves and others when they have a strong emotion.

 

We are doing a series of lessons on Executive Function with our 4th grade students. This week we focused on impulse inhibition, we will cover working memory and mental flexibility in future lessons.

You can also follow us on Instagram @obschoolcounseling to find pictures of our lessons.

 

This week school counselors are in the classroom introducing themselves and letting the students know how they can help them.  Visit our curriculum tab for more information. You can also follow us on Instagram @obschoolcounseling. 

Talking to Children About Violence

 

Information from National Association of School Psychologists

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. 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.

 

 

Check out this slide show to learn more about the visit. 

Calming Strategies

Here is a list of calming strategies put together by Maggie Travers, our District Elementary Education Support Counselor.  Please take some time to explore the many helpful videos, websites, and activities she's compiled and see which ones might work for your kids, yourself, or your whole family. Thanks for sharing Ms. Travers!

Belly Breathing

Thought Bubbles

Rainbow Relaxation

Ocean Waves

Touch Piano

Aquarium Sounds

Kaleidoscope (pictured above)

Coloring Pages

Virtual Sand Tray

Doodle to Sound

Virtual Puzzles

Feelings Wheel

DIY Calm Down Jar