"
peering from some high
window;at the gold
of november sunset
(and feeling:that if day
has to become night
this is a beautiful way)"
e.e.cummings
The Right from the Start team looks forward to sharing mental health inspiration with you.
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Here's hoping you will settle into winter, prepare to stay calm and cozy at Christmas
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The truth is, if you can get yourself under control and take responsibility for your anxiety levels, that feeling will spread to your family members. You will feel better and your kids will probably behave better too. Ask yourself, What do I need to change in myself that will create more calm and peace inside of me?
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Watch for Take 5's at some of our schools. Connecting with others, sharing smiles, a snack and a warm cuppa is great for your Mental Health.
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And if that doesn't work, stay tuned for Right from the Start Stress Reduction WORKSHOPS
down the road:
February 26, 2019 in Banff and March 28, 2019 in Canmore. Location and Registration details TBA.
OTHER upcoming events: Soulwarmers Christmas Sale and Take 5 at Banff Elementary School: 8:15 am - 8:30.
December 20: Alpenglow Assembly (11:05 in the CCHS theatre) and Take 5 (on the Alplenglow deck) from 8:05 - 8:25 am .
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Grades 1-2 have been learning about standing up for what is right as well as how small kind/helpful actions can make a big difference. Kindie classes have been learning about different emotions and how we can take care of our emotions through tools like Jelly Belly Breathing, asking for a hug, doing something fun or talking to an adult.
Did you know….every Tuesday is Kimochi day at ERS - Kimochi means ´feelings’ in Japanese. Teachers use the Kimochis to help foster emotional literacy and well-being.
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Sing along with Kimochi Time!
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We had a great turn-out for the Boundary Setting Workshop with Child and Youth Counsellor Melissa Katona - here are some key learnings:
- Use consistent and brief language: ¨This is not okay, I need you to ______¨.
- Get clear around negotiable and nonnegotiable limits and be consistent with your co-parent
-Teach kids how to do big feelings through pre-teaching and de-briefing incidents to turn them into an opportunity for learning and reinforcing expectations/boundaries within the home. You may wish to use the 5 point scale below.
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We are celebrating our fifth year with the Grandpal Program, where students in two Grade 4 classes connect with Seniors in our community. On the International Day of the Child, Nov 20th, 88 seniors and youth had a cross generational kick off party where each child played games with their Grandpal, read and exchanged their first letter, and then decorated and ate cookies. This was a continued collaboration between Right from the Start, LGMS, and FCSS.
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Great times at the 3 day transition retreat with the great grade 8’s. The elders and artists, musicians added the much needed cultural component that allowed kids from LGMS to witness (and appreciate) what expertise (30 kids total: 15 from Exshaw, 15 LGMS) Morley has to offer.
“I really liked getting to know the Exshaw kids. I got to know a number of them on our hike, and they’re just fun to hang with.” Stephen.
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A YWCA workshop that Mr. D attended about gender violence was incredibly informative. Good connections were made with RCMP officers who want to pair up with Mr D to present in classrooms about what it is to be a “strong man.” Stay tuned for that!
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Mr. D also visited some Grade 4 and 5 classes to chat about bullying, what it is and what it isn't. Relevant examples of how kids hurt each other both verbally and through their actions were discussed (be it ignoring, physically rolling eyes, teasing) and then the class decided if these actions constitute bullying. The acronym HARM was used to define bullying:
H
urtful words and or
A
ctions
R
epeated more than once,
M
eant to control or hurt others. These classroom presentations led to lots of lively discussions and realistic role plays, where the class got to each vote and give their opinions on why or why not this situation would or would not be bullying.
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Mr. D. (Deren Alward) has been busy!
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The team building ropes course on the first day allowed for all to flourish with true teamwork and support. And the second and third day filled with fun outdoor activities simply cemented the relationships between the peers from each school.
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“High ropes was my favourite. The one where you have to lean in, and trust someone you don’t know. And now I really know them.” Sarah F.
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Mr. D continued support for friendship issues and group dynamics, often in a small group format, where students come up with strategies. When solutions that have been tried don’t work, students discover that they need to modify their solutions in order to find success. In this process students learn the importance of figuring out practical application of their own progress to relevant problems in their lives. The incentives for success often are simply the solutions to their problems. Other times, with students that have been having challenges with one another, Mr D’s personalizes a fun filled challenge for them to work collaboratively on, bringing connection and reliance on each other.
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Kindergarten and Grade ½ have been talking about expected and unexpected behaviors. Exploring with students what behaviors are “expected” versus “unexpected.” It is generally accepted that the expected behaviors are those that help a child learn and be seen in a positive light by his peers and educators. It is the unexpected behaviors that cause peers to have “weird thoughts” about the student’s behavior and may cause frustration to those trying to support him. Here is a list of some unexpected behaviors kindergarten/gr 1/2 have talked about:
- Falling out of your chair
- Wandering around the class when you should be on the carpet or eating snack.
- Making noises or talking to classmates when the teacher is talking.
- Saying things that are not related to what the teacher is talking about
- Looking in a direction other than at what the teacher wants
- Running in the hall when you should be going to the bathroom
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The listening tool has been introduced to some of the classes this month. The listening tool is important for all children to develop good listening skills, empathy and understanding. Grade ⅚ will be performing some skits and a chant at the assembly this month on the listening tool.
“I listen with my ears, eyes and heart."
Join Alpenglow students and teachers for two events happening on December 20:
Take 5 at 8:05-8:25am on the deck of the Alpenglow entrance, and the Alpenglow Assembly in the CCHS theatre at 11:05 am -- parents welcome to both events!
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Grade ⅔ have started to talk about the empathy tool This will be something that will continue into December. Ask your child about “Ghandi’s glasses” and how they can make a difference in the world.
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Ms Jena has created a board in the Div 1 Alpenglow wing to showcase the art that classes throughout Alpenglow are creating. Come check out the board and be WOWED at all of the amazing creations Alpenglow students create!
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A small group of boys teaching their classmates the importance of cooperation through play.
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With big kids come bigger problems. We are posting information about teen-sized issues in the Lounge at BES
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Join us for the annual Soulwarmers Christmas Sale on December 11 at 8:15 am - 8:30 am. All Christmas crafts for sale from $1 - $5. Proceeds go to the Bow Valley SPCA and the AB. Children's Hospital. We're also hosting a Take 5, so come and sip some tea or coffee and connect with your child before heading off to work.
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Ms. Kat has been teaching about the Zones of Regulation, how we can regulate our behaviour when we understand how we feel and what kind of behaviour is expected in different situations.
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What could Calvin have done differently in the first frame, to avoid the freak out? Students have been brainstorming strategies to help themselves when they are having difficult and uncomfortable feelings.
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Ms. Van Impe and Ms. Kat had the grade 7s and 8s calculate how much sugar is in the 2 llitre bottle of soda, and how it feels when we consume sugar. Then we had a conversation about how it's a myth that sugar makes us hyper: our behaviour is our own responsibility. We can't blame it on sugar! The highs and lows of blood sugar were noted by classroom teachers.
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Right from the Start | 403-678-6292 |
For inquires contact Mary Weighell
Project Coordinator
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