A Little Gratitude Can Go a Long Way...

A great article on the connection between gratitude and overall happiness.  What a great way to head into the holidays by telling someone you love..."Thank you."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oHv6vTKD6lg

"THAT" Kid

Open-mindedness, kindness, empathy, and support.  An amazing article about how teachers and parents can change their perspective about "THAT" kid.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/answer-sheet/wp/2014/11/14/teacher-to-parents-about-that-kid-the-one-who-hits-disrupts-and-influences-your-kid/

Improving "Social Smarts" at Greenbrier

Since the beginning of the 2014-2015 school year, Ellen Hajek, Speech/Language Pathologist, and I have begun teaching all of the students at Greenbrier the Social Thinking Curriculum by Michelle Garcia Winner.  There are many elements to this curriculum.  We started the school year with Whole Body Listening, which teaches specific behaviors related to successfully participating in a conversation or listening situation.  We have begun to move into the Social Detective piece that teaches "expected" vs. "unexpected" behaviors.  Our classroom groups will incorporate practice with analyzing situations and identifying behaviors that are socially acceptable ("expected"; encourage others to feel calm or possibly even pleased ) and not as common ("unexpected"; encourage those who witness the behavior to feel stress or possibly become upset). A student’s ability to observe, evaluate and adapt to a situation can help to change their behavior in that situation.  We believe that integrating the program into all of the classrooms will benefit all students and teach common language that can be used throughout the school day.  Additionally, the curriculum connects to the Superflex character from Social Thinking who is part of our school-wide superhero theme this year.  We are very excited to be teaching this program in all of the K-5 classrooms and watching the students' "social smarts" grow each day.

"Like a girl..."What does that really mean?

Below is a great ad I found that makes you think...what does it mean when people say "like a girl?"

Check it out!

http://m.fastcocreate.com/3032424/this-always-ad-asks-what-it-means-to-do-something-like-a-girl

WELCOME BACK GATORS AND WILDCATS!!!

Welcome back parents and students to the 2014-2015 school year!  As the K-5 and Transitional Kindergarten social worker at Greenbrier I will continue seeing students individually and in groups, as well as continuing programs such as Peer Mediators and SOLVE IT.  At Windsor, I will continue to provide individual and group services to students in the Communications program.

Greenbrier's theme this year is Superheroes.  We kicked off the year with an all school assembly about how we can each be our own superheroes.  I look forward to working with students and helping to teach, motivate, and reinforce our Superhero theme:

Try your best

Stay True

Find the Superhero in YOU!

Who's Ready For Summer?

Summer is a great time to relax and have fun.  Below is a list of some summer activities you can do with your friends and family.

http://www.care.com/child-care-101-fun-things-to-do-with-kids-this-summer-p1017-q27919161.html

"Cool Down" with Coping skills!

It is a normal part of life to feel angry, happy, sad, or scared in different situations.  What is important is how you handle those feelings so that you do not hurt yourself or others.  The link below are some strategies I have put together to help students "Cool Down" when they are upset and help them move on.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/u58qdf3rnexdi83/Screen%20Shot%202014-04-29%20at%203.04.39%20PM.png

Positive Praise...What Messages Stick?

The following article talks about how girls perceive praise and what messages stick with them throughout their life.  It is extremely important to praise the "process" vs. the "result."

Check out the article below for more details :).

http://blogs.kqed.org/mindshift/2013/04/giving-good-praise-to-girls-what-messages-stick/

Middle School Is Approaching...How can I help?

Hey Parents!

The Middle School transition can be both exciting and anxiety-provoking for parents and children.  See some helpful tips on how to help your child through this transition.

http://www.greatschools.org/special-education/health/980-smoothing-your-childs-transition-to-middle-school.gs

Windsor Parent Group: "Everybody Counts!"

Today's focus...

Jamie Impastato, the Windsor/Foundations social worker and I co-facilitated the Communications & Foundations Parent Group today at Windsor.  Today's topic was about "Everybody Counts" week which takes place the week of February 18th.  Members from the PTA joined us as we discussed the purpose of "Everybody Counts" and ways to update the program to coincide with student needs.  On February 12th, the "Everybody Counts" committee will be holding a parent training from 9:30-11:00.  The parent training is for parent volunteers who want to help facilitate a topic in one or more grades.  The parents will learn how to teach the activities created for each grade level.

Kindergarten:  Focuses on Visual, Hearing, and Motor Impairments (Introduction)
First grade:  Focuses on Visual Impairments (Elaboration of Kindergarten topic)
Second grade:  Hearing Impairment
Third grade:  Learning Disabilities
Fourth grade:  Motor Impairments (Elaboration from Primary grades)
Fifth grade:  Medical-related needs such as Diabetes and Allergies, as well as discussion on Autism

Looking to the future...

There was a great discussion on integrating a wider-range of special needs such as speech delays, neurological disorders, sensory issues, and other areas that are not currently addressed in the "Everybody Counts" curriculum.  By addressing a wide-range of special needs, there will be a better connection amongst students to understand and identify with everyday, real-life situations.

Staying Connected to Student's Social/Emotional Needs

In the article below, a teacher created a classroom system to stay connected to her student's needs.  The system helped her gauge which students may be feeling isolated or disconnected from their peers.  This is something that every classroom could do from elementary to high school.

Check it out :)

http://momastery.com/blog/2014/01/30/share-schools/ 

Be a true friend...

Friendship can be a rollercoaster ride for children. However, teaching and modeling empathy and good character can lead to more successful relationships altogether.

See the link below for a great story that reinforces this important life lesson:

http://m.huffpost.com/us/entry/4661700

Social/Emotional Learning and Academic Success

Social/Emotional learning in schools teaches children about self-awareness, self-regulation, social skills, problem-solving skills, and other life skills that help build success.

Please click the link below for more details:

http://www.casel.org/library/2013/12/5/aligning-preschool-through-high-school-social-and-emoonal-learning-standards