|
|
April 2006
The time has
come!
We are encouraging the students to use the
LIFESKILL Personal Best during the State
Tests. Students in Third, Fourth, and Fifth
Grades will be taking the OCCT Tests next
week, April 10-14th. Please ask your child’s
teacher the specific days and times, so that
they are present during the tests. Please
talk to your child about how to prepare
one’s mind and body for testing. This
includes eating healthy and getting plenty
of good rest. The tests are not timed.
However, they are long, and a big breakfast
is a good idea. Have the children play
outside and get some physical exercise, yet
limit other stressors, such as starting a
new activity during this week. The whole
family can help by sticking to a routine,
spending more time at home relaxing and
going to bed early. Try not to make your
child over-anxious, but explain that it is
very important they do their best. A little
nervousness is actually a good thing, but
too much anxiety can be a hindrance to
successful test-taking. Please provide
positive encouragement for your child and
their teachers during this time! They have
been working very hard to prepare.
We are completing our bullying unit this
week in Tribes. We have been using the book,
Bully Free Classroom, as a resource for the
unit. After testing, we will begin
discussing Multiple Intelligences.
Spring is a very active time for youngsters.
Conflicts with friends seem to be the
over-riding theme during this time of the
year. There is quite a drama going on during
recess at any given time! Please listen to
your children when they want to talk about
peer relations. It may seem trivial to you,
but issues with friends can greatly
interfere with a child’s feelings of success
in school. Right before bedtime, take an
extra few minutes to ask your child how they
are getting along with their classmates.
This is a golden opportunity, because there
will be a time, when they will not want to
talk to you about their friends at all!
Encourage them to come visit with me and
have a “peer mediation” if they are having a
recurring problem with a peer.
If you feel your child is having serious
difficulties getting along with classmates,
please call me. I also have some excellent
titles available for checkout that address
social issues for children.
Melanie Heil
Counselor Counselor's Corner
Archive
Mar 06
Feb 06
Jan 06
Nov 05
Oct 05
Apr 05
Mar 05
Feb 05
Jan 05
Dec 04
Nov 04
Sep 04 |
