"The kids want to talk to their counselors..."

CNN clip from October 2011:

Bullying Solutions

Everyone has their own PERSPECTIVE

Thinking about perspectives is an important part of celebrating diversity month.  Sometimes it can be difficult to understand other perspectives - but it is important to try!

Perspective Video

NEWSLETTER - October 2011

Dear Longfellow Families,

Last year celebrating diversity month was in April – but this year I just couldn’t wait!  Please take time to talk to your child about diversity/culture/perspectives/accepting others or ask them to tell you about the guest speaker presentations or classroom guidance activities. 

School Counseling Update

THE MONTH OF OCTOBER: We have been taking a closer look at diversity during the month of October.  Students in K-2 grades will be reading stories about accepting others and how we all have similarities and differences.  Students in 3-6 grades have been exploring topics such as diversity, perspectives, culture, and prejudices.  They are learning that these topics are related to our Steps to Respect program. 

This year I was able to get guest speakers for the 3-6 graders.  The 3^rd and 4^th grade students will have an educational presentation about culture from a Longfellow parent.  The 5^th and 6^th grade students will be having a “peer talk” about Autism Spectrum by Taresa Fetzer (Autism consultant from Grant Wood AEA). 

All students are being encouraged to learn about their own culture as well as the cultures of their classmates.   At Longfellow we agree that everyone should be treated with respect.  Students have learned that all cultures have similarities and differences – but that no culture is better or worse than another!

Upcoming school-wide events related to CELEBRATING DIVERSITY:

 National Mix-It-Up at lunch Day à TUESDAY, OCTOBER 18^TH

 Dress to Express Yourself Day à FRIDAY, OCTOBER 28^TH

Sincerely,

        Nicole Schmidt

September Survey 2011 (OPTIONAL)

In order to best fulfill my roles as a school counselor I need your input!  Any information you provide is greatly appreciated.  I am looking forward to an amazing 2011-2012 school year! 

(September Survey should have been sent home with your youngest Longfellow student! )

*Thank you to those of you who returned the survey!*

NEWSLETTER - September 2011

Dear Longfellow Family,

Welcome to the 2011-2012 school year at Longfellow Elementary School!  I am very excited to join the Longhorn Herd and I hope you are too.  This year brings both excitement as well as challenges.  It is important to note that the Family Resource Director position will not be continuing at Longfellow this year. Therefore, I will only be returning to Longfellow as a half time school counselor.  I am extremely honored to continue to be a part of Longfellow, yet it will be challenging to be in the building less.  My hours will be Tuesdays and Wednesdays as well as half of the day on Thursdays.  

As a school counselor, I am focused on advocating for the students.  I consider personal/social, academic, and future planning when meeting with students individually, in small groups, or in classroom guidance.  During the first week of school I will be explaining the role of a school counselor to students as well as giving a tour of my room.  We will continue to learn about the “I-Care Lessons”, expressing feelings appropriately, stress management, conflict resolution, personal safety, and more.  Also, the Steps to Respect Program will continue for the 3^rd-6^th graders.  The Steps to Respect Program is designed to prevent bullying; the Longfellow staff has been trained how to respond when students report bullying behaviors.  Please look for more newsletters throughout the year, and visit my blog at: counselingandfrc.blogspot.com.

Attached to this newsletter you will find a brochure which describes school counseling in more detail.  Also attached is a survey that I hope you will take time to complete. 

Please don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or concerns.

Sincerely,

Nicole Schmidt

School Counselor

2011-2012 SCHOOL YEAR

There will no longer be a Family Resource Director at Longfellow. 

Continuing to CELEBRATE DIVERSITY

Take a walk in my shoes...

Continuing to CELEBRATE DIVERSITY!

"Dress to Express Yourself" Day Pictures:

Parent Guest Speaker

On April 8th a parent came to present to the 1st and 2nd graders.  Her presentation included a story she wrote about her daughter who has Down Syndrome. 

 I-Care Cat, Lucy Lu Longfellow, students and teachers were all very glad to have this parent guest speaker! 

Celebrating Diversity at Longfellow!

Throughout the month of April we will be focusing on celebrating diversity!

April 1^st ~ MIX IT UP AT LUNCH!  Students were placed with random classmates during lunch and played a get to know you game!  To learn more about MIX IT UP AT LUNCH visit http://www.mixitup.org/    

April 4^th ~ The 3^rd and 4^th grade classes attended a presentation by the Arc of Southeast Iowa.  “The Arc of Southeast Iowa assists developmentally disabled individuals in our community to realize their full potential in how they live, learn, work and play.”Students had many thoughtful questions.
The presenters included: Bill Reagan (President & CEO), Sheba Francis (Vice President), Patty Rodriquez (Parent), and Kendee Spige (Arc Employee)

Open Closet Event

OPEN CLOSET

Get ready to shop!

Pick up FREE children's clothing...

Wednesday, March 30^th  

4:00-7:00

Kindergarten - Personal Safety Activity

Yesterday the kindergarten classrooms discussed personal safety and personal space.  Students learned that there are adults who they can talk to if they ever feel confused or scared about someone being too close or touching them. 
Then we brainstormed who could be included in a circle of support.  We discussed that everyone's life is different and everyone's circle of support could be different. 
Students thought about their own circle of support and chose a person they wanted to thank for being a supportive adult. 

Please talk to your kindergartener about personal safety and their circle of support. 

PERSONAL SAFETY

Personal Safety classroom guidance lessons will be taught when we return from spring break.   I will be showing a safety & sexual abuse prevention film from the Iowa City Community School District’s health curriculum at the end of our lessons.  I will send you another letter home about the film before your child views it so that you can contact me with any questions you might have.

During these personal safety lessons I have the following goals:

§  To teach children some problem-solving and communication skills they can use if they are ever in an abusive, scary, or confusing situation

§  To help children become aware of how they feel, their personal space, and their right to feel safe

§  To identify and build support networks for children to turn to in abusive, scary, or confusing situations

We will be identifying adults children can talk to if they are confused, worried, scared, etc.  It is important for children to know that there are adults both at home and at school who will listen to them.

Please contact me if you have any questions or concerns. 

NEWSLETTER - March 2011

Dear Longfellow Families,

Before we take off for spring break – here is some counseling/family resource information! 

School Counseling Update

KINDERGARTEN : During classroom guidance kindergarteners have been thinking about what makes a good friend and how they can become better friends.  They are also still using the I-Care lessons.   Our next units will be personal safety and accepting differences. 

FIRST/SECOND GRADES: During classroom guidance and small groups the first and second graders have been learning about and practicing appropriate ways to handle conflict.  Here are the three steps we have been focusing on: 1. Stop and Calm Down 2. Talk and Listen 3. Agree on a Solution.  Some of our 6^th graders did a puppet show about resolving conflict and stayed to answer questions in each of the first and second grade classrooms!   

THIRD/FOURTH/FIFTH/SIXTH GRADES:  When we return from spring break students will be learning about internet and personal safety.  Then we will continue with more lessons from the Steps to Respect anti-bullying program.  There are many lessons taught as a part of this program to help students learn respectful behaviors as well as what they can do to prevent bullying here at Longfellow. 

Family Resource Center Update

Open Closet: This will be a new event for Longfellow.  Start your spring cleaning and get ready to shop and donate at the same time!  It’s always nice to give and take J  Please let me know if you are interested! MARCH 30^TH at 4!

SIBSHIP – A support group for siblings of children with special needs will be having an event on March 19^th.  Please contact Chelsey for more information at 351-5017. 

THE MONTH OF APRIL: We will be taking a closer look at differences during the month of April. I have been planning activities, guest speakers, and lessons about celebrating differences! 

Help Support Children & Families at Longfellow:

Considering this is the first year of having a family resource center at Longfellow, it has been difficult to start building our account.  Please consider donating in order to help individual families in crisis situations.  Checks can be made out to: Longfellow Family Resource Center.  Monetary donations will be placed into the ICCSD foundation and used for needs of Longfellow families. 

If your family would like extra support please let me know.

Sincerely,

        Nicole Schmidt

Valentine's Day Luncheon 2011

This year we kept up Mrs. Williams’ tradition of a fancy Valentine’s Day Luncheon! 

A special thanks to our Valentine’s Day VIP’s who helped to set up the lunchroom, escort staff to tables, and clean up! 

National School Counselor Week!

The school counseling profession continues to change and adapt in order to best meet student needs. 

I hope that you will celebrate this week by discussing what students have been learning during classroom guidance or small groups.  Please remember that the school counselor is available to meet individually if students ever want to talk to someone.   

 

Thank you for supporting school counselors.

NEWSLETTER - January 2011

Longfellow Elementary School

School Counseling/Family Resource Center

January 2011

Dear Longfellow Families,

Welcome back - and a special welcome to our new Longfellow families!  I hope everyone had a wonderful winter break. 

School Counseling Update

KINDERGARTEN : Classroom guidance continues to work on I-Care Lessons while focusing on the “Getting Along” series (See 1-10-11 Letter for more information).

FIRST/SECOND GRADES: Beginning January 24^th the first and second graders will be learning about friendships and strategies for handling conflicts.  There will be various stories and activities related to conflict resolution. 

THIRD/FOURTH/ FIFTH/SIXTH GRADES:  As explained in the December newsletter, the 3^rd – 6^th grade students have started the STEPS TO RESPECT anti-bullying program.  There are many lessons taught as a part of this program to help students learn respectful behaviors as well as what they can do to prevent bullying here at Longfellow. 

 

Everyone at Longfellow Elementary School is committed to making our school a safe and caring place for all students.  We will treat each other with respect, and demonstrate Longfellow PRIDE (Peace, Respect, Integrity, Dependability, and Excellence).  We refuse to tolerate bullying in any form at our school.

Longfellow’s Definition of BULLYING: Bullying is unfair and one-sided.  It happens when someone keeps hurting, frightening, threatening, or leaving someone out on purpose.

Consequences for bullingOur school is focused on showing Longfellow PRIDE.  Students who bully other students are not following Longfellow PRIDE and their misbehavior may result in a referral to the principal.  All bullying behaviors must be properly reported whether or not principal involvement is needed. 

Family Resource Center Update

All the toys/books/winter gear donations were greatly appreciated – THANK YOU FOR YOUR GENEROSITY.  Because of all of your support I was able to deliver holiday boxes to ten Longfellow families!

SIBSHIP – A support group for brothers and sisters of children with special needs will be having an event on January 15^th (see reverse side for more information). 

If your family would like extra support please let me know.

Sincerely,

        Nicole Schmidt

NEWSLETTER - January 2011 (Kindergarten)

Longfellow Elementary School

School Counseling/Family Resource

January 2011

Dear Longfellow (KINDERGARTEN) Families,

Welcome back from winter break!  I am looking forward to continuing classroom guidance with the kindergartners!  I hope everyone remembers the lessons taught by I-Care Cat and other puppet friends!

1.                  We Listen to Each Other

2.               Hands are for Helping not Hurting

3.               We Use I-Care Language

4.               We Care About Each Other’s Feelings

5.               We are Responsible for What we Say and Do

The Kindergarteners are continuing to work on these lessons through a series about GETTING ALONG WITH OTHERS.  Each week we have been listening to stories about various animal characters who work on getting along with others by using the I-Care Lessons. 

This week I would like you to talk to your child about bullying.  Longfellow has defined bullying as unfair and one-sided.  Bullying happens when someone keeps hurting, frightening, threatening, or leaving someone out on purpose.  Your child listened to a story called “I Can’t Believe I Said It” which is about Patrick the Pig who has a friend who bullies him.  Patrick the Pig was able to solve this bullying problem by using I-Care Language. 

The Steps to Respect Program at Longfellow explains that students should learn to treat others the way they would like to be treated and to understand that everyone should be treated with respect.  Please continue to talk to your child about these ideas.  Additionally, there is a worksheet on the back that you can discuss with your child in order to help them think about what they could do if they are ever involved in a bullying situation. 

At Longfellow Elementary School we want to prevent bullying so students can feel safe at school!

Sincerely,

Nicole Schmidt

Longfellow Elementary School

School Counseling/Family Resource

December 2010

Dear Longfellow Families,

School Counseling Update

Hopefully your K-2 grader has brought home their I-Care booklets because they are all now “I-Care Experts”!  For the next 6 weeks I will be implementing the “Steps to Respect” program to students in 3-6 grades.  Please see reverse side for more information.  I have been leading 8 small groups; most of them have ended or will end before winter break.  You will be receiving a letter home if your child is selected to be a part of a small group.  Small groups are meant to be a positive experience with the purpose of learning and acquiring specific skills - a great opportunity for all students! 

Family Resource Center Update

I hope everyone had a wonderful thanksgiving.  Going along with the thanksgiving theme, I want to give a special thanks  to the student council and our Longfellow families!   We were able to provide several families with boxes filled with food for thanksgiving.  Your donations were very much appreciated.  We will be continuing our giving as we enter December – I am still asking for donations of:  jackets, boots, books, and especially toys for ages 5-12.  I will divide and deliver your donations (drop off in the office) to our Longfellow families in need. 

If your family would like extra support please let me know.

Sincerely,

        Nicole Schmidt

Research shows that bullying can be reduced greatly- but only when the whole school (staff, students, and parents) tackles the problem together.  Steps to Respect: A Bullying Prevention Program is one way to do that.  The main goal of the program is to help create a safe, caring, respectful learning environment in which bullying is not tolerated.

This is a new program for the Iowa City Community School District funded by a grant from the federal government called “Safe Schools/Healthy Students”.  All Longfellow Elementary staff attended a training session so that they will be better able to recognize and respond to student reports of bullying. 

Lessons will be taught in grades 3-6 by the school counselor, Nicole Schmidt, during weekly classroom guidance instruction time.  Classroom teachers will reinforce the lessons throughout the week. 

As part of the Steps to Respect program, students will learn new skills to help them build friendships and deal with bullying.  For example, they will learn how to:

• Make friends
• Join group activities
• Manage conflicts
• Recognize, Refuse, and Report bullying (whether it happens to them or someone else)