Earlier in the school year, I took my daughter to see Frozen 2 with some of her friends. The film itself was very fun and had many songs that stayed with you long after the credits. One of these songs is Into the Unknown. This song is about Queen Elsa following a voice, a spirit, or a perhaps even her deceased mother into a place that she does not know. One of the lines in the song goes "eveyone I've ever loved is here within these walls." This particular line resonates with me right now as we are a week and a half into our state-law to quarantine or social distance from each other. Our family units are our entire social community right now (at least in the physical sense). This indeed is an unknown. There is angst and fear. There are many questions that we do not have an answer to. We are trying our best to enjoy the (extended) time together while many of us are trying how to model how to handle this crisis with strength and determination (and some ice cream of course) for our children. They are watching. They are listening. Time for a dance party. Or a pillow fight. Or crafting instead of endless TV. The list goes on. It's time to dig down deep and find the courage, like Queen Elsa, to go into the Unknown.
This year, all students at Bells Mill are being surveyed on social and emotional issues at school. The questions asked relate to interpersonal relationships (both staff and students), respect at school, feeling included at recess, and standing up for those that are being left out. Students will be surveyed after each marking period to track progress through the school year. The baseline date shows that 94% of students surveyed feel that staff and students are respectful at Bells Mill. 84% of students surveyed feel included at recess and 90% of students surveyed are willing to stand-up for others. 95% of students surveyed like attending Bells Mill.
It's back to school time and that means lots of feelings about what's coming up this year. For some, the year brings excitement. For others, apprehension is the primary feeling. Perhaps the start of the year looks different than you had imagined. A new teacher or a class with new faces can cause anxiety for both parents and students. One thing is for sure: each new school year is a fresh start, a do-over. A chance to make this year better than the last. As I write this, I think of this morning as I dropped my oldest child off at kindergarten. As I walked away from him and let him walk into the building, I was filled with many emotions. Who will he sit with at lunch? Will he listen to the teacher? Will he feel comfortable? I knew that no matter what, I could not be there physically with him. I could talk with him about his day and keep in touch with the teacher, but kindergarten represents a new chapter. This is the beginning of a new stage of independence. It is time for him to leave the nest of preschool. I wish everyone well as we start this new journey together, May our children all return to us each afternoon with laughter, stories, and good feelings about their day.
I recently read an article that resonated with me as both a parent and a school counselor and thought I'd share it on my blog. The article is called "My Worst Nightmare--What if I Accidentally Raise the Bully?" The link is posted above. After I read this article, I thought about the following questions: What is appropriate for the parent to do or say when there is a social situation that needs help and guidance? When is the right time to step in and help children rather than letting them work it out themselves? How do parents let go of the image that their child is perfect or incapable of causing another child harm and is possible of hurting another child socially? I welcome any feedback and thoughts on this topic! All students in grades K-5 have been surveyed about their interactions with adults at school and about their friendships at school. 87% of students said that they do have a friend at school and 13% of students said they do not have a friend at school. Before voting, students discussed what the word "friend" means and were reminded to think only about their friendships at school. 95% of students surveyed said that they have an adult that they can talk to here at school. 5% of students surveyed said that they do not have an adult that they can talk to about problems here at school. Students will be surveyed twice more before the end of the school year.
There is a new communication system for students working out problems. Students who have solved a problem on their own can fill out an "I Did It!" slip to let Mrs. Kanter know how their problem was solved. Students can choose from using Debug, an I-- Message, or other strategies. This change was prompted by many students seeking out Mrs. Kanter's help before they themselves had tried to work on their own problems. Many students have already begun filling out "I Did It!" slips.
End-of-Year Consensogram results are in! The students at Bells Mill were surveyed throughout the year on their connections at school. They were asked to vote for having many positive relationships, some positive relationships, or no positive relationships. At the end of the school year, the results showed that 60% of students felt that they had many positive relationships at school, 30% of students felt that they had some positive relationships at school, and 10% of students felt that they had hardly any positive relationships at school. Next year, our school will collect "student voice data" to determine if students feel that they have a friend at school and if they feel that they have an adult at school that they can talk to. Watch for updates on this site! This year, Bells Mill is surveying students about their relationships at school. Students will respond to the statement, "At Bells Mill Elementary School, I have ________ relationships that are positive and show mutual respect." Students choose whether they have many, some, or hardly any positive relationships at school. The data collected is important information that helps to guide programs and lessons at Bells Mill. In November, 59% of students surveyed chose I have many positive relationships at Bells Mill, 31% of students surveyed chose I have a few positive relationships at Bells Mill, and 10% of students surveyed chose I have hardly any positive relationships at Bells Mill.
Best Buddies is a program that connects students in the General Education program with students in the Autism program. Students in 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade can participate in this program. Students volunteer once a week at lunch, recess, or another time of day, to interact with students in the Autism program.
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AuthorSarah Kanter Archives
November 2017
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