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Once again, it's that time of year when we celebrate an alcohol and drug-free lifestyle.  Please join us in celebrating by dressing up for our theme days.  There is also a coloring contest for grades Pre-K-4 and a poster/drawing contest for grades 5-8 sponsored by the Overton County Anti-drug coalition.  Thank you again for your support of Red Ribbon Week at AES. 

 

Our theme days are as follows:

Monday:  One School, One Goal- Drug Free:  Wear school colors

Tuesday:  Be All You Can Be...Be Drug Free:  Wear camouflage

Wednesday:  Smarties Don't Do Drugs: Dress like a nerd

Thursday:  Follow Your Dreams- Don't Do Drugs:  Wear pajamas

Friday:  I'm Voting for my Future- I'm Drug Free:  Wear Red, White and Blue

If you have any questions, please contact me at school:  823-5921

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Well, it's that time of year again.  We are all preparing to go back to school.  As we transition from the lazy days of summer to the "busy"ness of the school year, it is a good time to review things we need to do to make this process easier.  If you will check out the link below, it offers a wonderful checklist of things you can do as parents to make your child feel prepared for the days ahead.  Please feel free to contact me with questions or let me know how I can help you through the transition phase from summer to school.

 

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As we study decision making this month, I would like to offer an article on how parents can empower their children with responsibilities in problem areas.  This allows the child to make choices that improve self-esteem as well as their sense of responsibility.

 

Parents can often solve behavior problems by placing a child in charge of supervising the area in which he/she is most negligent.  Most parents don't think of doing this.  Instead, they are inclined to pick the child who performs the task the best to be the supervisor.  The reasoning behind this technique is that when a child is put in charge of a behavior that he/she does not do well, the child becomes so involved in making sure everything is done correctly, that energies are diverted away from ordinarily disruptive behavior.

 

Responsibility Breeds Responsible Behavior

It is not unusual for a child who has been put in charge of something to experience an almost immediate behavior change as a result of the new responsibility.  However, children are not all alike.  They must feel a sense of responsibility in order for this technique to be successful.  You may have a child with whom the technique will not work quickly.  You may feel the approach is not successful because your child did not respond the first time or two you tried it.  Be sure to give the child several opportunities before discarding the technique.  If, after a trial period, the technique really isn't successful, discontinue it.  You have lost nothing by trying it. 

 

If a child litters, put him/her in chrage of keeping the house/lawn tidy.  If a child doesn't pick up things, put him/her in charge of seeing that everything is picked up.  The list of ways this technique can be applied is almost endless.

 

Responsibilities of Being in Charge

Being in charge does not mean sitting back and bossing everyone else around.  It does mean having control over getting things done properly.  For example, the child who is messy could be put in charge of seeing that things are picked up in the house.  The child must not only pick up his/her own things, but see that other family members do not leave their things laying around.  This is power based on responsibility to yourself and to the task that needs to be done.

 

Remember...

• Put the negligent child in charge of the problem area.
• Being in charge does not mean being bossy.
• Beng in charge builds a sense of responsibility.

 

This article is from Responsible Parenting Newsletters, authors Robert and Julie Kline.

I am forming a military support group for students who have family members that are currently deployed or are being deployed.  At the onset, we have five students who will be joining this group.  Our group will meet on Tuesdays from 1:45-2:20.

 

Please keep these families in your thoughts and prayers as they face unique challenges during this time.  We are so grateful to them for their sacrifice on behalf of our country. 

 

If you have any questions about this group, please contact me at school at 823-5921.  Thank you.

Children pick on other children.  They find opportunities to be cruel in spite of a parent's or teacher's best efforts to prevent it.  Unfortunately, the child being picked on has a difficult time and the situation often begins to affect his/her self-concept, emotions and school performance.  For the child's emotional and academic well-being, it is necessary for parents to know how to deal with this problem.

Sabotage the Payoff:
Children need to know and understand that the payoff for any name-caller is for the child being teased to become upset.  Tell your child, "Whenever you get upset, that is exactly what the person doing the name-calling wants.  Are you going to let that person upset you?"  To prevent the payoff, your child must learn not to become visibly upset.  He/She must be convinced that ignoring the bully will eventually cause the behavior to stop.

Most children find it hard to ignore name-calling.  They are hurt and angry.  If it cannot be ignored, they can make a joke of the name-calling or change the subject.  When children being picked on do or say something funny, they frequently change the other children's attitudes toward them and the name-calling usually ceases to be a problem.  A child who was teased and called a snake made a hissing sound, laughed and walked away.  In other words, try to find out what name the child is being called and, if appropriate, teach him/her a way to actually exaggerate the name-calling.  This shows everyone that the person being teased is not bothered by the name. 

Changing the subject can also work.  When the name is called, have the child answer by asking a question that is in no way connected to the name being called.  A child may ask a question about an upcoming holiday, a school game, or even about an assignment.  This will usually confuse the name-caller and the question may be answered or the child may choose to ask the question, not wait for an answer and walk away.  Do not let the name-caller see any hurt and anger.

When Does Name Calling End?
The key to this issue is convincing the child being teased that he/she is the only one who can really change the situation.  If they feel it is a parent's, teacher's or someone else's responsibility, there is not much hope.

If the child can ignore, make a joke of name-calling, or change the subject it doesn't usually continue for very long.  Children must not expect that ignoring the name-calling will solve the problem immediately.  However, they can usually eliminate the name-calling within a couple of weeks.  If it continues to be a problem, please consult with me, the child's teacher or our principal, Mr. Sells.

Remember....
Ignore name-calling.  Show no evidence of hurt.
Make a joke of name-calling.
Do not get angry.  Smile instead.

As your child's school counselor, I am here to make sure ALL Allons Elementary School students are feeling successful with their work in school, their relationships with friends, teachers, parents, other students and their plans for the future.  If your child is having a problem in any of these areas, (or with anything else!), I am here for them.  Students can stop by my office if they would like to see me or let their teacher know and we will schedule an appointment time.  If I'm not there, I have a box by my door where they can leave me a note so I know how to get in touch with them later in the day.

As parents, I welcome you to call me or see me if you have any concerns about your son or daughter.  My door (or ear) is always open for parents as well.

I also will be going into your child's classroom to talk to everyone as a group.  Students will be participating in fun activities, such as art projects or playing games, while learning how to be better students at Allons Elementary and better members of society, both now and in the future. 

I am so excited to be back this year and I am looking forward to working with you and all of your children!