NEWSLETTER - November 2010

Longfellow Elementary School

School Counseling/Family Resource

November 2010

Dear Longfellow Families,

It has been a fun first couple of months here at Longfellow!   I have enjoyed getting to know your students better.  My schedule for classroom guidance is typically 6 weeks in and 6 weeks out.  During the times I am “out” I am providing various small groups.  When students return from Thanksgiving break I will be implementing the STEPS TO RESPECT district wide program to 3-6 grade students.  More information will follow about this program.   

Here is an overview of what has been discussed in each grade level:

KINDERGARTEN/1^st /2^nd :  In these classes we are working on the I-Care Lessons.  This program incorporates the following 5 lessons:

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

Each lesson is taught through different activities in each of the grade levels.  Students will be bringing home their I-Care Booklets once all the lessons have been thoroughly taught. 

THIRD/FOURTH GRADES:  All third and fourth graders have completed the feelings unit (expressing feelings and how to appropriately deal with feelings) and turned in their “Feelings Journal”.  I will be writing back to the students for the last time and will return the journals to the students when classroom guidance resumes.  Currently I am providing small groups for various topics and will be returning to their classrooms when we are back from Thanksgiving break.

FIFTH/SIXTH GRADES:   The fifth and sixth graders were working on study skills (they have a booklet called “It’s up to you… make it cool to be in school”).  They were involved in activities and lessons about organization, time management, and work habits.  Like the third and fourth grade classes I have been out of the classrooms providing small groups.  I will be returning to their classrooms when we are back from Thanksgiving break.

Family Resource Update: Donations appreciated!

As the weather gets colder many of our Longfellow families may need some extra support in providing their children with warm clothing.  If you have any extra winter gear please consider donating them.  Also, toys and books would be wonderful for Longfellow children this holiday season!  Please drop off these items in the office any time.  Monetary donations are also welcome; checks can be made out to: Longfellow Family Resource Center.  Monetary donations will be placed into the ICCSD foundation and used for student needs at Longfellow. 

Sincerely,

Nicole Schmidt