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