Page Hilltop School
OCTOBER 2011
School Counselor Corner Newsletter
Preschool through Grade 2: School Counselor, Dr. Jayne Garrett
Grade 3-Grade 5: School Counselor, Mrs. Betsy Dolan
Congratulations to all of you as family members giving your Page Hilltop students a successful send-off to school each morning in September. You are welcome to schedule a consultation with your child’s school counselor whenever you have a concern about your student’s adjustment to school, school behavior, or social-emotional development. The grade assignments are above.
MAKE SURE YOU CHECK THE FREE COMMUNITY FAMILY WORKSHOP ON THE BOTTOM!...
Tips For A Stress Free Morning: Does this sound familiar..? “Come on – you’re not listening – you’re going to miss the bus – I don’t know where your socks are! What – you still have math homework to do?! Did you brush your hair? Let’s go – we’ve got to go – I’m leaving right now!” Mornings aren’t always easy and stress free. There are things to do to help ease you and your family into the morning. The key to having a stress free morning routine is to have a smooth routine at bedtime. And remember a routine is something that is followed regularly. Without the consistency you will have an uphill battle.
Here are some tips to keep in mind for a stress free morning routine from Kidshealth.org
• No yelling. Although you may be frustrated, yelling is only going to escalate matters and leave children anxious before their day of learning.
• Have children take showers/baths at night to ease morning stress and lay out clothes for next day.
• If homework completeness is important to you, check it before bed; don’t assume it’s finished.
• Before bed, ensure take home folders are checked, lunches are made, backpacks are packed, and there are no surprise “Oh I need xxx today!”
• Try not to give multistep instructions. Intead of, “I want you to finish your homework, eat breakfast, get dressed, comb your hair, brush your teeth and be in the car by 8:15.”…One instruction at a time works wonders.
· Set your clocks 5-10 minutes ahead to get you off to an early stress free morning start. Remember low stressed children are more emotionally open to learning during their school day!
Local Free Community Anti-Bullying Performance for Families Grades 1-6:
Thurs, October 20th 6:30-8:00pm: As part of the “Sticks & Stones” program being performed at Ayer Page Hilltop for 3rd-5th graders on 10/17 [Sponsored by Ayer PTO and Ayer-Shirley Education Foundation], there will also be a free community evening performance in Westford on 10/20 at Stoney Brook Middle School in Westford for families of Westford, Ayer-Shirley, and Tyngsboro. “An Evening with Lyle Cogen : ‘Upstanders, Bystanders, and Bullying’ A family-friendly performance of 'Sticks & Stones' for families Grades 1-6. Stony Brook Middle School is located at 7 Farmer's Way, in Westford (located on Rte 40 - Veterans Memorial Complex). This event will include a 1 hour program (similar to school shows) and will be followed by a 30 minute Q&A session for families or possibly break-out sessions. Parents and children in Grades 1 - 6 are encouraged to attend together!
OCTOBER 2011
School Counselor Corner Newsletter
Preschool through Grade 2: School Counselor, Dr. Jayne Garrett
Grade 3-Grade 5: School Counselor, Mrs. Betsy Dolan
Congratulations to all of you as family members giving your Page Hilltop students a successful send-off to school each morning in September. You are welcome to schedule a consultation with your child’s school counselor whenever you have a concern about your student’s adjustment to school, school behavior, or social-emotional development. The grade assignments are above.
MAKE SURE YOU CHECK THE FREE COMMUNITY FAMILY WORKSHOP ON THE BOTTOM!...
Tips For A Stress Free Morning: Does this sound familiar..? “Come on – you’re not listening – you’re going to miss the bus – I don’t know where your socks are! What – you still have math homework to do?! Did you brush your hair? Let’s go – we’ve got to go – I’m leaving right now!” Mornings aren’t always easy and stress free. There are things to do to help ease you and your family into the morning. The key to having a stress free morning routine is to have a smooth routine at bedtime. And remember a routine is something that is followed regularly. Without the consistency you will have an uphill battle.
Here are some tips to keep in mind for a stress free morning routine from Kidshealth.org
• No yelling. Although you may be frustrated, yelling is only going to escalate matters and leave children anxious before their day of learning.
• Have children take showers/baths at night to ease morning stress and lay out clothes for next day.
• If homework completeness is important to you, check it before bed; don’t assume it’s finished.
• Before bed, ensure take home folders are checked, lunches are made, backpacks are packed, and there are no surprise “Oh I need xxx today!”
• Try not to give multistep instructions. Intead of, “I want you to finish your homework, eat breakfast, get dressed, comb your hair, brush your teeth and be in the car by 8:15.”…One instruction at a time works wonders.
· Set your clocks 5-10 minutes ahead to get you off to an early stress free morning start. Remember low stressed children are more emotionally open to learning during their school day!
Local Free Community Anti-Bullying Performance for Families Grades 1-6:
Thurs, October 20th 6:30-8:00pm: As part of the “Sticks & Stones” program being performed at Ayer Page Hilltop for 3rd-5th graders on 10/17 [Sponsored by Ayer PTO and Ayer-Shirley Education Foundation], there will also be a free community evening performance in Westford on 10/20 at Stoney Brook Middle School in Westford for families of Westford, Ayer-Shirley, and Tyngsboro. “An Evening with Lyle Cogen : ‘Upstanders, Bystanders, and Bullying’ A family-friendly performance of 'Sticks & Stones' for families Grades 1-6. Stony Brook Middle School is located at 7 Farmer's Way, in Westford (located on Rte 40 - Veterans Memorial Complex). This event will include a 1 hour program (similar to school shows) and will be followed by a 30 minute Q&A session for families or possibly break-out sessions. Parents and children in Grades 1 - 6 are encouraged to attend together!