3rd Annual GREAT KINDNESS CHALLENGE
Last week Page Hilltop Elementary School participated in the national Great Kindness Challenge. Schools all over the country including ours focused on the theme of kindness, empathy, helpfulness, cooperation, and standing up for peers. Although this national week long theme focuses on one week, Page Hilltop Elementary staff encourage all students to practice a culture and climate of kindness, compassion, and empathy all year long.
What if a student sees or hears a student or teammate repeatedly not being kind to others? If students do not feel comfortable saying something directly to the peer, we encourage students to report to an adult...their teacher, school counselor, assistant principal, principal, parent, coach for example. We discuss with particularly the older students that it is not always easy to speak out but we all must take care of each other. School counselors share with students that by reporting ongoing unkind behavior they are not only helping the target being treated unkindly, but they are also helping the student who needs instruction on positive social behavior.
We appreciate all your family work you do at home all year long encouraging these kindness and empathy skills in your children.
MINDFULNESS FOR CHILDREN
Coming Soon: Parent Session Workshop on an Introduction to Mindfulness for your Family. Facilitated by Betsy Dolan and Kathy Kenyon. If interested, please email [email protected]
You may have noticed literature, news, and articles on the benefits of Mindfulness. According to Jon Kabat-Zinn, world renowned creator of the Stress Reduction Center at UMass Medical School, “mindfulness” means paying attention in a particular way, on purpose, in the present moment, non judgmentally. Studies have shown Mindfulness benefits both children, teens, and adults. Here’s a simple Mindful activity you can practice with your children at home.
Mindfulness allows children and adults to be aware in the present moment of their feelings and their body. With so much in our lives on the go-go-go, it’s a great way for children to spend ten minutes a day slowing down and getting in touch with their inner and outer breath.
ASRSD Free Counselor Referral Resource
Free Behavioral Health Referral Service: MSPP INTERFACE mental health referral counseling service is at no cost to residents of Ayer and Shirley. If you need a counseling referral for any family member, call the helpline at 617-332-3666 x1411 or 888-244-6843 x1411 during business hours and they will find a mental health specialist who has an opening with your insurance. You can also read more information as well as the latest articles and advice on childhood and teen mental health topics at https://interface.williamjames.edu/
Upcoming Parent Area Lectures & Info
The two upcoming March evening parent lectures below are sponsored by the Westford Parent Connection, they are both held at the Stony Brook Middle School, 9 Farmer Way, Westford at 7:00 p.m and are free.
Thursday 3-9-17 Supporting Kids’ Social And Emotional Needs, with Dr. Joseph Moldover. In collaboration with the Westford Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC) http://drmoldover.com/
Wednesday 3-22-17 Making Caring Common: Raising Kind, Ethical, And Happy Children, with Dr. Richard Weissbourd
http://mcc.gse.harvard.edu/
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Summer Planning Early...Baystate Parent’s KidsCon 2017
What: Entertainment, giveaways, music, and more. Get the latest info from top summer camps and family exhibitors at this event
When: Saturday, Feb. 11, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
Where: Best Western Royal Plaza Hotel & Trade Center, Marlborough
Cost: Adults $5, Kids FREE
Last week Page Hilltop Elementary School participated in the national Great Kindness Challenge. Schools all over the country including ours focused on the theme of kindness, empathy, helpfulness, cooperation, and standing up for peers. Although this national week long theme focuses on one week, Page Hilltop Elementary staff encourage all students to practice a culture and climate of kindness, compassion, and empathy all year long.
What if a student sees or hears a student or teammate repeatedly not being kind to others? If students do not feel comfortable saying something directly to the peer, we encourage students to report to an adult...their teacher, school counselor, assistant principal, principal, parent, coach for example. We discuss with particularly the older students that it is not always easy to speak out but we all must take care of each other. School counselors share with students that by reporting ongoing unkind behavior they are not only helping the target being treated unkindly, but they are also helping the student who needs instruction on positive social behavior.
We appreciate all your family work you do at home all year long encouraging these kindness and empathy skills in your children.
MINDFULNESS FOR CHILDREN
Coming Soon: Parent Session Workshop on an Introduction to Mindfulness for your Family. Facilitated by Betsy Dolan and Kathy Kenyon. If interested, please email [email protected]
You may have noticed literature, news, and articles on the benefits of Mindfulness. According to Jon Kabat-Zinn, world renowned creator of the Stress Reduction Center at UMass Medical School, “mindfulness” means paying attention in a particular way, on purpose, in the present moment, non judgmentally. Studies have shown Mindfulness benefits both children, teens, and adults. Here’s a simple Mindful activity you can practice with your children at home.
- Mindful Listening: At the dinner table, before or after you eat, close your eyes as a family and listen to all the sounds you hear. Open your eyes after a minute and see what everyone shares for sounds they heard.
- Mindful breathing - at your children’s bedtime, have them lay in their bed and hold their hand, or lay their stuffed animal, on their stomach. They close their eyes and count in their head their belly rising and falling until they reach 10
- Mindful Eating - Hand your child a raisin, and demonstrate for them closing your eyes and describing all the textures, tastes, and smells of what you and he/she are eating.
Mindfulness allows children and adults to be aware in the present moment of their feelings and their body. With so much in our lives on the go-go-go, it’s a great way for children to spend ten minutes a day slowing down and getting in touch with their inner and outer breath.
ASRSD Free Counselor Referral Resource
Free Behavioral Health Referral Service: MSPP INTERFACE mental health referral counseling service is at no cost to residents of Ayer and Shirley. If you need a counseling referral for any family member, call the helpline at 617-332-3666 x1411 or 888-244-6843 x1411 during business hours and they will find a mental health specialist who has an opening with your insurance. You can also read more information as well as the latest articles and advice on childhood and teen mental health topics at https://interface.williamjames.edu/
Upcoming Parent Area Lectures & Info
The two upcoming March evening parent lectures below are sponsored by the Westford Parent Connection, they are both held at the Stony Brook Middle School, 9 Farmer Way, Westford at 7:00 p.m and are free.
Thursday 3-9-17 Supporting Kids’ Social And Emotional Needs, with Dr. Joseph Moldover. In collaboration with the Westford Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC) http://drmoldover.com/
Wednesday 3-22-17 Making Caring Common: Raising Kind, Ethical, And Happy Children, with Dr. Richard Weissbourd
http://mcc.gse.harvard.edu/
~~~~
Summer Planning Early...Baystate Parent’s KidsCon 2017
What: Entertainment, giveaways, music, and more. Get the latest info from top summer camps and family exhibitors at this event
When: Saturday, Feb. 11, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
Where: Best Western Royal Plaza Hotel & Trade Center, Marlborough
Cost: Adults $5, Kids FREE