Can it really be the end of the school year?

The 2011-2012 school year is zooming by and the growth in the students has been astounding!    
The learning continues and this month the focus is on managing fears and worries.  Anxiety is one of the most common concerns with young children and the good news is, it is one of the easiest problems to conquer.  Basic good health practices directly impact anxiety levels in children - getting adequate sleep, exercise and a healthy diet are vital to nervous kids.  Equipping them with tools to handle these feelings gives children a sense of control over the anxiety.  These tools require lots of practice and parents can help.  Relaxation exercises, kids yoga, soothing music, exercise, drawing, journaling and talking about their fears are all helpful calming methods.  There are several good books but two that I have used often are: Helping Your Anxious Child: A Step-by-Step Guide for Parents and Freeing Your Child From Anxiety.  An excellent book for children is What to Do When You Worry Too Much.  Children pick up on our cues so the calmer you are when dealing with an anxious child the simpler it will be for your child to cope with his fear or worries.  That is easier said than done, isn't it?  

2ND GRADERS LEARN ABOUT COOPERATION AND COLLABORATION

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

The students have begun the new year with enthusiasm and growth.  What were they fed over the holidays?  Whatever it was, the growth in size and maturity are evident!  The students really seem to have settled back in to school and are prepared for challenging academic work this semester. Speaking of challenges,
the 2nd graders just finished their CTP4 (standardized tests) testing.  We will await the test results with anticipation expecting great reports from these fine students. 


The guidance units this month include manners for the K-3 students, friendship builders for K-4 and the Kindergarteners will focus on handling frustrations when learning new tasks and how to be a leader without being bossy. The 1st graders will discuss empathy and how it feels to walk in someone else's shoes along with understanding differences.  Cooperation is the key word for the 2nd graders. Through games, role plays and group building activities, learning to get along with a group will be the goal for this month.


It is busy at STJ but that is the way we like it!  Please let me know if you have any suggestions or concerns.  Thank you for your support and for sharing your wonderful children with us.


Congrats to 2nd grader, Maggie Schaub, for her award winning essay in the city-wide Holiday Writing competition.  

Maggie Schaub and Mrs. Jones

                                                    

THE MAGIC FORMULA

Do you know "the magic formula"?  The 2nd graders do!  We spend an abundance of time and effort in working on getting along well with others and ways to handle conflicts.  One of our favorite guidance lessons focuses on learning how to use our words assertively.  The words used are "When you-------, I feel-------, and I want you to---------.  The magic is in the delivery of these sentences.  The students practice saying them confidently and firmly but never in anger.  If they can employ these skills on a regular basis just think what effective communicators they will be.  Watch the videos for a glimpse of the students role playing "the magic formula".

The Importance of Teaching Empathy

8th Graders, Santa (Davis Daniel), Sam Edwards and K-4 student, Cole Hughes

The holidays are a time of great joy for many of us.  There is a wonderful spirit of giving in the air, and boundless opportunities for helping the less fortunate.  Our Saint James students and teachers are involved in several different projects this month, and we are so proud of their level of commitment and desire to help others.  These experiences underscore the fact that every person -  regardless of their circumstances - has value, and deserves respect.  We should take every opportunity to encourage compassion and caring in our children.  Researchers tell us that we are all born with the potential for empathy, but as we grow, our environment and nurturing shape us where empathy either increases, or is replaced by more negative emotions.  Empathy isn't something that matures on its own - it must be learned.  As parents, we act as an "empathy coach" by the examples we set.  As we help them to recognize and understand the feelings of others, they should be encouraged to put aside their own materialistic thoughts for a moment.  When we lend a listening ear, or act in a generous manner, we are showing them how to act in accordance with the principles of respect and compassion.  This important social skill will grow stronger as a result of the good examples provided by their first and best teachers - their parents!  Raising empathy awareness results in respect for others, integrity, and responsibility.  Through experiencing the feelings of others, they will learn to be caring and compassionate,  develop a social conscience, and become more integrated socially,  thereby realizing that they play a significant part in the community.  Empathy will greatly influence their personal relationships as well.  If they haven't learned to understand emotions and behave empathetically, it will be difficult to form and sustain personal relationships as they move into adulthood.  So as we enter this season of giving, let's ask ourselves if we are emphasizing the importance of civility and kindness in our interactions with others.  Remember to be caring and considerate of everyone......................your children are watching. This wonderful article was written by JoAnn Reifenberg for The Health Connection.

The holidays are a time of great joy for many of us.  There is a wonderful spirit of giving in the air, and boundless opportunities for helping the less fortunate.  Our Saint James students and teachers are involved in several different projects this month, and we are so proud of their level of commitment and desire to help others.  These experiences underscore the fact that every person -  regardless of their circumstances - has value, and deserves respect.  We should take every opportunity to encourage compassion and caring in our children.  Researchers tell us that we are all born with the potential for empathy, but as we grow, our environment and nurturing shape us where empathy either increases, or is replaced by more negative emotions.  Empathy isn't something that matures on its own - it must be learned.  As parents, we act as an "empathy coach" by the examples we set.  As we help them to recognize and understand the feelings of others, they should be encouraged to put aside their own materialistic thoughts for a moment.  When we lend a listening ear, or act in a generous manner, we are showing them how to act in accordance with the principles of respect and compassion.  This important social skill will grow stronger as a result of the good examples provided by their first and best teachers - their parents!  Raising empathy awareness results in respect for others, integrity, and responsibility.  Through experiencing the feelings of others, they will learn to be caring and compassionate,  develop a social conscience, and become more integrated socially,  thereby realizing that they play a significant part in the community.  Empathy will greatly influence their personal relationships as well.  If they haven't learned to understand emotions and behave empathetically, it will be difficult to form and sustain personal relationships as they move into adulthood.  So as we enter this season of giving, let's ask ourselves if we are emphasizing the importance of civility and kindness in our interactions with others.  Remember to be caring and considerate of everyone......................your children are watching. This wonderful article was written by JoAnn Reifenberg for The Health Connection.

The holidays are a time of great joy for many of us.  There is a wonderful spirit of giving in the air, and boundless opportunities for helping the less fortunate.  Our Saint James students and teachers are involved in several different projects this month, and we are so proud of their level of commitment and desire to help others.  These experiences underscore the fact that every person -  regardless of their circumstances - has value, and deserves respect.  We should take every opportunity to encourage compassion and caring in our children.  Researchers tell us that we are all born with the potential for empathy, but as we grow, our environment and nurturing shape us where empathy either increases, or is replaced by more negative emotions.  Empathy isn't something that matures on its own - it must be learned.  As parents, we act as an "empathy coach" by the examples we set.  As we help them to recognize and understand the feelings of others, they should be encouraged to put aside their own materialistic thoughts for a moment.  When we lend a listening ear, or act in a generous manner, we are showing them how to act in accordance with the principles of respect and compassion.  This important social skill will grow stronger as a result of the good examples provided by their first and best teachers - their parents!  Raising empathy awareness results in respect for others, integrity, and responsibility.  Through experiencing the feelings of others, they will learn to be caring and compassionate,  develop a social conscience, and become more integrated socially,  thereby realizing that they play a significant part in the community.  Empathy will greatly influence their personal relationships as well.  If they haven't learned to understand emotions and behave empathetically, it will be difficult to form and sustain personal relationships as they move into adulthood.  So as we enter this season of giving, let's ask ourselves if we are emphasizing the importance of civility and kindness in our interactions with others.  Remember to be caring and considerate of everyone......................your children are watching. This wonderful article was written by JoAnn Reifenberg for The Health Connection.

The holidays are a time of great joy for many of us.  There is a wonderful spirit of giving in the air, and boundless opportunities for helping the less fortunate.  Our Saint James students and teachers are involved in several different projects this month, and we are so proud of their level of commitment and desire to help others.  These experiences underscore the fact that every person -  regardless of their circumstances - has value, and deserves respect.  We should take every opportunity to encourage compassion and caring in our children.  Researchers tell us that we are all born with the potential for empathy, but as we grow, our environment and nurturing shape us where empathy either increases, or is replaced by more negative emotions.  Empathy isn't something that matures on its own - it must be learned.  As parents, we act as an "empathy coach" by the examples we set.  As we help them to recognize and understand the feelings of others, they should be encouraged to put aside their own materialistic thoughts for a moment.  When we lend a listening ear, or act in a generous manner, we are showing them how to act in accordance with the principles of respect and compassion.  This important social skill will grow stronger as a result of the good examples provided by their first and best teachers - their parents!  Raising empathy awareness results in respect for others, integrity, and responsibility.  Through experiencing the feelings of others, they will learn to be caring and compassionate,  develop a social conscience, and become more integrated socially,  thereby realizing that they play a significant part in the community.  Empathy will greatly influence their personal relationships as well.  If they haven't learned to understand emotions and behave empathetically, it will be difficult to form and sustain personal relationships as they move into adulthood.  So as we enter this season of giving, let's ask ourselves if we are emphasizing the importance of civility and kindness in our interactions with others.  Remember to be caring and considerate of everyone......................your children are watching. This wonderful article was written by JoAnn Reifenberg for The Health Connection.  

November Classroom Guidance Lessons

DUSO

November heralds the beginning of the holiday season and excitement is already in the air in the elementary! This month the 2nd graders are continuing their emphasis on dealing with teasing and bullying through role plays, bibliotherapy and class discussions.  Using the "Stop Bullying Now" resources we have enjoyed watching videos and playing interactive games. I encourage you and your children to visit this website, stopbullyingnow.gov, for additional reinforcement and information.  Tattling is one of those unpleasant activities of childhood and this is being addressed with the 1st grade classes.  The difference between reporting and tattling will be introduced through favorite books, Tattlin' Madeline and A Bad Case of Tattle Tongue.  Understanding how to handle mistakes will be the topic for the K-5 students. Ask them what we learned about Fairy Penquins!  Perfectionism starts at an early age and we will delve into this topic using DUSO stories and puppet shows.  The K-4 students also will be talking about this and the importance of trying your best.  The K-3's will explore different feelings and the importance of using your words to convey emotions.

It is busy around STJ and such a fun place to grow and learn!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN

COACH G AND MR. BEARD OR IS IT MR. BEARD & COACH  G ?
EVEN TEACHERS GET INTO THE SPIRIT OF HALLOWEEN