FOUR WINDS - SNOW!

GUIDANCE NEWS

Second Grade Guidance Update

We have just finished up our guidance unit on managing angry feelings.  We have discussed that angry feelings are OK but that it is not OK to do something hurtful with your anger.  This unit focuses on ways to calm down before trying to solve a problem. 

We have talk about how when we are upset we do not think as clearly as when we are calm.  Ways to calm down are taking a few deep breaths, counting, walking away, talking to someone about how you feel and telling yourself to calm down.  We have spent some time talking about how powerful our self-talk is in either calming down or staying angry.  Gentle reminders about this may be helpful at home.

We will now move on to Problem Solving and practicing problem solving steps.  We will review KELSO’s Choices which are 9 strategies to use to solve common social problems between kids. These strategies are: 1.) go to another game, 2.) talk it out, 3.) share and take turns, 4.) tell them to stop, 5.) ignore, 6.) apologize, 7.) make a deal, 8.)  walk away, 9.) wait and cool off. 

Your children are doing a great job and I love working with them!

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year and welcome back!  I have finally posted pictures from the past several months and I hope you take the time to look at them.  My dream for January is to be more timely in my posts!  I appreciate your patience. 
I hope all of your holidays were restful and filled with fun and family.

Holiday Celebration

Gingerbread Houses

Creativity with candy!  What a great way to spend and afternoon!

Four Winds

Motion

Building our own tops became a highlight for about three days!

Balance

 Everyone loved the challenge of balancing a pencil on it's point!

Harvest Party 2011!

Food, games and crafts!  A fun time for all!

The Biggest Pumkin Ever!

Students enjoyed a show on October 31st that was performed by the high school drama club.

Counting Pumpkin Seeds

Everyone enjoyed counting the seeds from the pumpkin donted by the PTO!

Health and Wellness Challenge for 2012

Dear Union Memorial Families;

As a district we are participating in a 30 Day Challenge during the month of January to promote health and wellness for the year 2012.   

Union Memorial School would like the staff and students to participate in a whole school bulletin board celebrating all of the healthy activities/choices we participate in, at home or at school.  We would like to ask that each child and staff member bring in a photo of themselves participating in something which promotes health and wellness.  Here are some ideas:

·        Sporting activities (skating, skiing, soccer)

·        Leisure activities (hiking, biking, skateboarding, wii)

·        Relaxing activities (reading, playing with friends / family, cuddling with a pet, listening to music, movie night with the family)

·        Eating healthy (favorite foods, snacks, cooking, etc)

The options are endless!  It’s about taking time to take care of ourselves both physically and mentally. 

As a school we always promote healthy snacks but especially during the month of January we would like to emphasize healthy eating.  Individual classrooms will be having discussions regarding positive eating habits which promote not only nutritional benefits but boost brain power!

As always we thank you for supporting our schools!  We hope your holiday is blessed with family and friends.

See you in 2012,

Judy Lilley and Darlene Mulcahy

Wellness Coordinators for UMS