Another great week at Brookside! Spirit week was a blast and the warm weather is creeping in once again:) Have a great week and we will see you all May 1st!
Chris and Sarah
April Social Emotional Learning Newsletter
Dear Families and Caregivers,
Take a minute to reflect..how many decisions do you think you make every day? Hundreds, thousands, tens of thousands? The answer varies, but it is a lot. A LOT. And guess what, there are many decisions for your kids to make too. Our hope is that they are making the best, most informed decisions possible. And the thing is, humans make mistakes, kids and adults alike, and when we do, the hope is that we can learn from it. Making informed decisions sometimes is thanks to not making great decisions in the past.
Responsible decision making involves learning how to make constructive choices about personal behavior and social interactions across diverse settings. So how do we help kids learn these important skills? Here are a few resources:
Books:
Conversation Starters:
Are you good at making decisions? Why or why not?
Tell me about a good decision you made.
Tell me about a bad decision you made.
Do you like to make choices? Why or why not?
Tell me one of your long-term goals.
Tell me one of your short-term goals.
Have you ever made a decision then changed your mind? If yes, explain the situation.
Have you ever asked the opinion of someone else before making a decision? If yes, explain the situation.
Do you think people make bad decisions because of peer pressure? Why or why not?
Tell me about a setback you had in your life.
Strategies for parents and caregivers to help their children process their actions and discuss what they can do to make amends
Level: PreK/Lower Elementary, Upper Elementary, Middle School
Duration: ≤ 15 minutes
Try playing a Game of Would you rather on your way home from the bus stop, school, or practice. You will get a feel for decisions your child makes and the thought process that goes into those decisions.
Remember the choices we make each day can make all the difference,
Thanks for all you do!
School Counseling Update
It finally feels like spring has sprung this week. I hope everyone gets a chance to get outside if they have not already. Please check out the comfortship website for mental health and social emotional learning updates. Thank you to those who completed the caregiver survey, it is not too late to submit a response.
Below are resources and information. I hope you all have a joyful and relaxing weekend, do not hesitate to reach out anytime.
Warmly,
Kately
*Ask questions
*Teach
*Practice
*Talk to friends and family
*Have a kid's back
I have books and additional information to share, reach out for more information.
Watch this Ted Talk for a new take on stress response and the body
*How when we shift our thinking about stress to understand that moderate levels of stress help strengthen our heart and social connection. When we view our stress response as helpful, it creates a biological response of courage and fosters resilience.
Dr. Becky Kennedy Good Inside- Joyful Parenting podcast episode
*Finding the joy in small moments
COMMUNITY POSTINGS
Please note that the opportunities/events listed below are not specifically endorsed or screened by school staff. As always, families should use their own standards and review processes to determine appropriate activities.
Interested in Tutoring this summer.....
Hello Community Members!
I am KC Shogren and I am a proud member of the BPS staff. My private tutoring studio is open for new students for the summer. I can help in any elementary subject and social studies, writing, and ELA for older students.
Not only do I have lots of experience with our students here, but I am also a certified writing tutor. I have worked with folks of all ages in education for four years now. I work on a sliding scale to make sure that all students who need help can access it.
Feel free to reach out via phone or email at 425-495-6250 or katherineshogren@gmail.com.
Summer Camp Registration with Appletree
Apple Tree Learning Centers Summer Camp offers an Onsite Program and an Offsite Program each week from 6/19-8/18
Spaces still available!
Dance Camp with LVDA (6/19-23) Pirates (7/17-21) STEM & Woodworking (7/24-28) Canoeing (7/24-28) Wheels and Water (7/31-8/4)