Spring is finally here!

We have covered a lot of ground this year. At every grade level we have talked about good touches and bad touches and what to do if someone tries to give you a bad touch.

In Kindergarten we have been learning to recognize more emotions in others as well has ways to manage our own emotions. We have also been studying how to handle various friendship problems and we have been practicing some friendship skills.

First Grade learned about bullying, when to get help from an adult, what tattling is and what it is not, and strategies to manage anger.

Second Grade learned some problem solving skills and how to handle bullying. We also spent some time understanding how conflicts work and what you can do to reduce conflict when you find yourself in one.

Third Grade has spent a lot of time talking about bullying. We learned how it works, what it is, and what each person in our school could do to help reduce the amount of bullying in our school. We talked about stepping up to be a Hero in the Hallway. We are also in the process of talking about the transition to intermediate school. We will learn about the new school and what to do with the feelings we have about going to a new school.

Winter is Here

Classroom Guidance Update:

Kindergarten: In December we have continued with empathy training. We are learning about how to recognize strong feelings and frustration. We are also learning ways to calm our body down when we are having strong feelings. We’ve learned everything we say or do makes our problem bigger or smaller. In January we will be learning about how to deal with not getting what you want, and how to avoid fighting.

First Grade: In December we read the story Band Aid Chicken and learned about bullying. In January we will be learning ten ways to calm down when we are angry.

Second Grade : In December we learned five ways to handle teasing and put downs. In January we will be learning about bullying. We will learn what it is and what to do about it.

Third Grade : In December we learned about dealing with conflict. We talked about conflict being like an escalator. If you have a problem and you don't do anything different your problem will get bigger. We learned things that you can do to solve problems and stay in control. In January we will be learning about bullying. We will learn what it is and what to do about it.

Fall 2010 Classroom Guidance

In Kindergarten we continue to learn about feelings and showing others we care. In November we are learning about intentions. We will learn how to tell if something was done by accident or on purpose, and what to do if you accidently hurt someone.

In First grade we learned how to identify how another person is feeling. Research shows if students can read other kids’ feelings in various social situations they are more likely to make positive choices and keep friends. In November we are going to learn ways that we can calm down from strong feelings.

In Second grade and Third grade we learned recently how powerful our words are and why we should be careful with them. We also learned that working together as a team can make a big difference. Next we will be learning how to calm ourselves down and stay in control when we get angry. We will be learning about problem solving and how we can make our own problems bigger or smaller.

September Classroom Guidance

Middlebury Elementary & Jefferson Elementary:

Grades 1, 2 and 3 we have been learning how to stay in control and react appropriately when someone is bugging us. We talked about how using the 5 steps of ignore, walk away, talk friendly, talk firmly, and get help keep us in control. We learned why each step works so well and the value of not giving the other person power over your own emotions. We also talked about times when you need to get help right away. Also in Grade 1 at Jefferson we have been learning how to identify how other people are feeling. We practiced and learned ways to recognize certain feeling in other people and how to respond to various feelings. This empathy training builds a foundation that enables children to understand each other better and helps them become more sucessful at making and keeping friends.

In Kindergarten at both schools: We learned that a counselor is a person you can talk to who will help you find ways to make problems smaller. We read the books "Hands are Not for Hitting" and "Words are Not for Hurting". Each class signed a promise paper which will be posted as a reminder to not use our hands or words to hurt each other. We have also begun empathy training. This will help children learn how to understand and manage their feelings. Research shows if children can "read" other childrens emotions in various social situations they are more likely to make good choices and be successful at making friends.

Jefferson is Now an Officially Recognized ASCA Model Program

Received great news from the American School Counselor Assosiation:

Congratulations! Jefferson Elementary School's counseling program has met the criteria to become a Recognized ASCA Model Program by the American School Counselor Association. Jefferson Elementary is one of over 270 schools to achieve RAMP status since the program’s inception in 2004.

The American School Counselor Association believes that the implementation of comprehensive counseling programs in all schools across the nation is a vital step in the transformation of our education system. ASCA is committed to establishing comprehensive school counseling programs that are based on the ASCA National Model. http://www.ascanationalmodel.org/

We look forward to acknowledging your accomplishments publicly at the American School Counselor Association’s National Conference in Boston, Massachusetts. Jefferson Elementary School’s plaque will be presented at the Recognition Dinner on Monday, July 5, 2010.

February 2010 Classroom Guidance

Kindergarten: Calming down from strong feelings, Friendship Skills, Playing Fair and Dealing with distractions.

First Grade: Managing Feelings, Personal Power, Staying in control of your thoughts and actions, Friendship Skills, When do you need help and when can you solve the problem yourself?

Second Grade: Staying in control when you get angry, Dealing with being left out, handling criticism.

Third Grade: Staying in control when you get angry, Friendship Skills, When do you need help and when can you solve the problem yourself?

January 2010 Classroom Guidance

Kindergarten:

We have been learning about calming ourselves down. We are practicing strategies that help us calm down from strong feelings and stay in control.

1st Grade:

We have been learning ways to think that encourage stopping and thinking before acting impulsively. We are practicing strategies that help us process ways to make good choices.

2nd Grade:

We are studying ways to solve problems. We have learned it is much easier to solve problems if you calm down first. We have also practiced ways to interact with others that help us make more friends.

3rd Grade:

We are learning that it is possible to get angry and stay in control even when it feels like you can't. We are practicing ways of thinking that make it easier to stay in control of our emotions.