February 2018
Right from the Start
Mental Heath Capacity Building
Project
Stop the Homework Hassle
by YogaKids Program Director Alicia Chapman Mauldin
Children today are busier than ever.
This morning, my 9 year old son woke up early, ate breakfast, went to school for 7 hours, had a snack, played outside with a friend, rushed to lacrosse practice, ate dinner, got ready for bed, read a few pages in his favorite book and then went to sleep. Oh yeah, he also had to squeeze time in to complete his homework and study for an upcoming spelling test! To read more Click Here



PINK SHIRT DAY FOR ALL SCHOOLS IN CANADIAN ROCKIES PUBLIC SCHOOLS IS ON FEBRUARY 28th, 2018
Wear your pink shirt to school to support this division wide initiative!

In today’s digital world, it can be impossible to escape online bullying, whether it takes the shape of harassment, spreading rumours, sharing embarrassing information or threats. This year, Pink Shirt Day is encouraging others to combat cyberbullying by thinking twice before posting something negative, and instead using the internet to spread kindness - because we know that Nice Needs No Filter!
Click on the link for more on this important day!

https://www.pinkshirtday.ca/
Elizabeth Rummel School

At ERS all classes had the opportunity to find out that "Even Superhero's Have Bad Day's". To celebrate literacy week we read the book and made a superhero bookmark while identifying a strategy that helps us feel better in our not so super moments. Kids identified tools such as: Take Deep Breaths, Move my Body, Chill on my bed at home, Go for a Walk, Cuddle my Puppy, Get a Hug and Talk to an Adult as some of the things that help them when they are sad, mad or having a bad day.

In February the Grades K-2 will be introduced to the theme of 'Treasure Hunting for Highlights'. Highlights are the best parts of our day; they can be small or big; simply things that we see, hear, taste, feel or experience that bring us joy! Grades 1-2 have been asked to bring their sheet home to find out and record what your highlight of the day has been! Sharing highlights as a family is a great practice before bed or at the dinner table; leaving everyone feeling happy. 

All of ERS has been on a bucket-filling challenge; after just one week, adults in the school have caught kind or caring bucket-filling actions 432 times. When the whole school reaches our goal, we will have a surprise celebration!


Alpenglow School

** Parents you're invited to join Alpenglow school for a Kindness Assembly on
February 15 from 11:15-11:45 in the CCHS theatre.

Right from the Start will also be hosting a TAKE 5 in the morning on February 15 from 8:10-8:25. TAKE 5 is an opportunity for you to take an extra 5 minutes with your child at the school to meet with other children and parents and connect with RFTS. Join us and your child for a extra few miuntes for some hot coffee, tea and treats to start the day off!**

These kindie kids are doing the turtle...the turtle represents the BLUE ZONE in the Zones of Regulation. This is the slow, tired, maybe even sad or sick that would put us in the BLUE ZONE. All of the zones are being taught including the yellow, GREEN and red zones. Click on the link to find out more.



Grades 1 and 2 are working with RFTS and the Mindmasters. Topics such as Special Place, Finding Highlights, Spaghetti Toes, Umbalakiki and more. The kids seem to enjoy the stories, discussion and exploration of these positive life skills such as relaxation, stress control, highlights, positive thinking and positive imagery. Watch for a 'highlight' sheet to come home soon so you can track your families highlights!

Click on the link to find out more. http://www.cheo.on.ca/en/MindMasters 

The grade 3/4s continue with the Toolbox, learning about "letting go of the little things" (Garbage Can Tool). With the grade 5/6's we are weaving team building games and activities into curriculum of governance and decision making. 


Banff Elementary School

In January BES students practiced Jelly Belly Breathing, which is lying comfortably and taking long, slow breaths with a relaxed belly. Making it even more fun were the stuffies the students got to hold while they breathed. The students learned that Jelly Belly can help you whenever you want to relax or feel better or be calmer or go to sleep. Jelly Belly can help you feel better if you’re scared or mad or upset or if something hurts. If you can start doing Jelly Belly before you get upset it will help you keep calmer. Use your Jelly Belly every day to help yourself feel good and calm and happy. 

AT BES students also learned how to keep themselves healthy while using screens. Students are learning how to protect their body, mind and feelings while online by thinking before they post or share, always being kind, taking breaks, getting fresh air, and being active, listening to their parents' rules about how long and when they can be online and spending lots of time playing with friends without screens.

The grade 7's continued their Walks of Wow around Banff, witnessing both nature and culture along the way.

The Gilly Group continued to meet weekly with a certified Therapy Dog and a different class from around BES. Eventually all the students at BES will get to hang out with the world's most mellow and loving dog. 
Lawrence Grassi Middle School


Kat Wiebe and Deren Alward teamed up to deliver body image awareness to grade 4 and 5 students at LGMS. Students were asked to rank the beauty of characters from popular media. Lots of rich discussion occurred when students talked about what they perceive as beautiful -- and more importantly if they were influenced by their peers or by images they see around
them in movies, cartoons, and games. 


The Grade 4, 5, and 6's will be getting their laminated Animated Anxiety Animals back, and will learn how to externalize and address these Worry Monsters whenever they show up. The Grade 8 boys will continue meeting with MR. D and Ali to help support healthy relationships through diverse experiential games and discussions. Small groups of all ages at LGMS will also continue to see Mr D to help foster friendships and internalize respect for one another. 

Right from the Start
Project Coordinator - Mary Weighell
mary.weighell@crps.ca