WAYS TO SHOW GOOD CHARACTER

WAYS TO SHOW GOOD CHARACTER

Dear Parents,

Part of the Responsive Classroom Program at Smilie Memorial School involves character building and fostering an attitude that reflects these attributes as children share their world with home and school.

Caring – Offer to help others, share toys and games and help someone who is sad or sick.

Citizenship – Collect food for the hungry, obey school rules, donate toys to help a worthy cause and be responsible for what you say and do.

Courage – Speak up in a respectful manner, use an “I” statement to solve a problem, seek out an adult to help you solve a problem.

Fairness – Do your part when working with others, listen to both sides before making a decision, take turns and play games by the rules.

Respect – Use appropriate words like “Please,”
“Thank you,” and “Excuse me,” respect yourself, others and property.

Responsibility – Complete school work on time, be safe, learn to say “No” if something is unsafe, complete home chores on a regular basis.

Trustworthiness – Tell the truth, keep your promises and return things you borrow.

Although many of these concepts may seem to be simplistic but in the developmental world of a child they are complex concepts. This is why repetition and reinforcement of the obvious helps a child to understand the importance of character building as they develop home and school friendships.

Sincerely,

Bernie FitzGerald, Principal

P.S. We as a school do not celebrate Halloween with costumes and candy treats. Thank you for following this procedure. If your children go out “Trick or treating,” be sure it’s in a safe location and they have reflective clothing and flashlights.

Understanding Power Struggles

Understanding Power Struggles

As a parent power struggles can be shocking and scary for you. You may feel misunderstood and disappointed about the way your child reacts to situations with you.

Rest assured you are not alone. Preteen struggles are quite normal. It is also reasonable for parents to be concerned about the struggles. The key is developing strategies to prevent power struggles before they become major issues. It is important to understand the 4 goals of a child’s misbehavior and to apply the application in a given situation. Power struggles are identified as:

Attention – by seeking undue attention.

Power – Child demonstrates he/she is in control and does not need direction.

Revenge – Child wants to hurt the parent in order to get even for some perceived injustice.

Avoid Failure – Child wants parents to leave him/her alone by appearing helpless to complete a given task.

Children do not always understand why they react the way they do. The beginning of physical changes plays a big part in their behavior and therefore they need parental support and understanding.

In some situations an option is to be selective in entering a power struggle. By deciding what is really important and its implication in the family setting, you will be able to eliminate some senseless arguments

If you exercise understanding, empathy and some behavioral strategies you and your child will learn to have a better understanding of an issue and seek resolution without a win/lose atmosphere.

Sincerely,

Bernie FitzGerald, Principal

After School Enrichment Program

Who loves apples??

If you do, then please come to Smilie’s Fall After school Enrichment program.

Activities: Baking, apple building, tin can lights, sack racing

Monday, October 20th

2:20-4:15

Cost: Free

Questions email:  apoor@gmavt.net

Enterovirus-D68 (EV-68) Update

Dear Smilie Parents and Guardians, October 2, 2014

There has been a lot of talk in the news about the Enterovirus-D68. What we hear in the news can sound scary. The Vermont Department of Health has some practical information about EV-D68 and how to help prevent the spread of illness in our community.

EV-68 is one type of virus from a group of very common viruses called enteroviruses. Most people who are infected with enteroviruses have no symptoms or only mild symptoms, but some infections can be serious. In the U.S., people are more likely to get enteroviruses in the summer and fall.
Children who are mildly ill might have:

•  Cold symptoms: runny nose, congestion
• Wheezing: especially in children who have asthma, but wheezing might occur in other children as well
• Cough
• Fever (sometimes, but not always with this infection)

A history of asthma may put children at higher risk for severe illness from EV-68. Children with severe illness might have trouble breathing or severe wheezing, and should be evaluated by a medical provider as soon as possible.

This virus spreads from close contact with an infected person who is coughing or sneezing, or from
contaminated hands and common objects such as toys, bottles and cups and furniture surfaces that are soiled with mucous or saliva from an infected person.

To best protect your family, follow these suggestions for infection control:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for 20 seconds, especially after changing diapers and after coughing and sneezing into your hands.
• Teach children to always cover their cough with a tissue or cough into the crook of their elbow instead of into their hands. 
• Don’t touch your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Don’t kiss, hug or share cups/utensils with people who are sick. 
• Disinfect surfaces that are touched often, such as toys and doorknobs, especially if someone is sick.

Keep your child at home if she/he appears to be severely ill, or meets general exclusion criteria such as fever with cough, worsening respiratory symptoms (including wheezing), or other symptoms that prevent the child from joining in activities as determined by school staff.

Treat typical cold symptoms such as: stuffy nose, headache, fatigue and sore throat as you normally would, with rest, drink plenty of liquids, use saline nasal drops and run a humidifier in the home. Keep a close eye on sick children, especially those with asthma. If you notice a child is breathing faster or harder than usual, call your healthcare provider right away.

Be aware of the general emergency warning signs in a child, which include:

• Fast breathing or trouble breathing that persists or worsens 
• Bluish skin color or lips
• Dehydration suspected: No urine output for more than 8 hours AND very dry mouth, no tears AND not taking or able to hold oral fluids
• Not waking up or not interacting
• Symptoms improve then return with fever and worse cough
• Fever with a rash

http://healthvermont.gov/prevent/enterovirus/documents/EV68_parent_letter_20140915.pdf 

Please refer to the following website from the Vermont Department of Health for further information.
http://healthvermont.gov/prevent/enterovirus/ev68.aspx


Sincerely,


Kristen Taylor, RN
Smilie Memorial School
Tuesdays, Thursday and Friday mornings
434-2757

Open House and Ice Cream Social

Dear Families and Friends,

In conjunction with the Smilie Community Association we will hold our annual Open House Program on October 21st. We will have an ice cream social from 5:30 PM to  6:00 PM followed by visits to various classrooms from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM.

Since I'm new to the school, I'll be out and about meeting and greeting as many people as possible. I have been very impressed with the school culture, support for the school, and the teaching and learning occurring at the school.

Sincerely,

Bernie FitzGerald, Interim Principal

Smilie Community Association Update

Dear Smilie Families,

Here is what the SCA has coming up in early October:

• Fall Festival, Saturday October 4, 11 AM-2 PM: You can look forward to a Bouncy House, crafts, music, games, baked goods, and hot soup during this free event.
• Next SCA Meeting, October 6, 5:30 PM - 7:00 PM: Pizza will be provided for free! Bring the kids if you want and learn more about the SCA.

Click here for the fall festival flyer.

More dates to follow, check back shortly.

Advice for Parents: Listening Skills

ADVICE FOR PARENTS: LISTENING SKILLS

It is important that parents be good listeners so children will learn what they have to say has meaning. Often children don’t express their thoughts because they are surrounded by adults. However, when given an opportunity children are very purposeful in addressing personal matters and evolving friendships at school and in the neighborhood.

Here are some ways to encourage your children to communicate at home and to gain confidence in problem solving and conversation:

Be interested and attentive: Children know when you are paying attention. Forget about the telephone and other distractions and maintain eye contact to show you are really listening.

Encourage children to talk: Some children need an invitation to talk. Begin conversations with, “Tell me about your day.” Children are more likely to share ideas and feelings with others when they think they are being heard respectfully.

Listen patiently:

Because their vocabulary and experience are limited, it may take children longer to express themselves. Allow them to take their time.

Hear children out:

Avoid the temptation to jump to an opinion or reject what they have to say before they have finished speaking. Respect their right to have and express their opinion.

Look for nonverbal messages:

Listen to the tone and take note of his/her facial expressions, energy level and posture. Often you can tell more from the way a child says something than you can tell from what is said.

You don’t have to be a genius:

Children don’t necessarily expect you to have a solution to their current dilemma but they need to be heard. They will often work problems out for themselves or dismiss them once they have had a chance to verbalize their perspective.

Try to keep that communication door open as it will build confidence and trust as children become more self directed.

Sincerely,

Bernie FitzGerald

Interim Principal