November Anti-Bullying Classroom Lessons

I went into all classes and implementing the The Goffstown's Anti-Bullying Curriculum, which can be found on the district's website.

First Grade- The story The Sneeches and other Stories by Dr. Seuss was read. The story is about creatures who thought that their ONE difference was more important than ALL their similarities. They start out by thinking that they are very different, and realize that they are really very similar.

Second Grade- The story How to be a friend: A Guide to Making Friends and Keeping Them, by Laurie Krasny Brown. This book emphasizes that differences don't matter to friends. You can be friends with someone who is different.

Third Grade-A Powerpoint was shown to the all third grade classes discussing what bullying is, which was followed by a quiz done together.

Fourth Grade- We started a writing project about bullying or cyberbullying in which they will continue to work on throughout the year and share with first graders in June.

How to Refer a Student to School Counseling

How To Refer A Student To Counseling At Maple Avenue

1. Talk to the student’s teacher about if they have any social, emotional, or behavioral concerns.
2. The student’s teacher will consult with the school counselor regarding the concerns.
3. If the teacher believes that the student’s education is being impacting do to social, emotional or behavioral concerns an RTI-Response to Intervention form will be completed by the students teacher.
4. The RTI core team will meet and discuss the student. Based on the discussion intervention’s or accommodations might begin. The student’s teacher will contact the parents to discuss the results of the meeting.
5. The RTI will meet again in 6-8 weeks as a follow up to discuss progress.

Back To School Tips

	Connecting with Your Child’s School Counselor for a Successful School Year 1. Understand the expertise and responsibilities of your child’s school counselor. School counselors make a measurable impact in every student’s life, assisting with academic, career and personal/social development. Professional school counselors are trained in both educating and counseling, allowing them to function as a facilitator between parents, teachers and the student in matters concerning the student’s goals, abilities and any areas needing improvement. School counselors provide services not only to students in need, but to all students. 2. Meet or contact your child’s school counselor at least three times per school year. The beginning of a school year is an excellent opportunity to initiate contact with your child’s school counselor and doing so can ensure your child’s positive school experience. Find out who the counselor is and what his or her experience and background are. By communicating with one another at the beginning, middle, and end of the school year, parents and counselors can have a definite impact on a child’s success. 3. Discuss your child’s challenges and concerns with the school counselor. As a parent, you know your child best. However, the school counselor can help you better understand your child as a student. It’s important to encourage your child’s expression of needs, hopes and frustrations. School counselors are trained to help your children. 4. Learn about your child’s school and social connections from the school counselor. When you need information or assistance, your child’s school counselor can help you get in touch with the appropriate school officials; learn about school policies on behavior, attendance, and dress; know the school calendar of important dates and stay connected with the school in many other ways. The school counselor can also help you locate resources in the community when you need them. 5. Work with the school counselor to identify resources and find solutions to problems. If your child is having a problem at school, it is important to work with your child’s school counselor to find solutions. Discuss resources available within and outside of the school, and get information on how such programs can benefit your child. Your school counselor can be a valuable partner in your child’s education and preparation for life beyond school. Suggested Web Sites Kids Health: Going back to school for kids http://kidshealth.org/kid/feeling/school/back_to_school.html Firstgov.gov: Back to School http://www.firstgov.gov/Topics/Back_to_School.shtml The above article is from The American School Counseling Association Parent Resources Link

Camps

New Hampshire Camps

www.camppage.com/newhamp.htm

www.nhcamps.org

• Grief Camp

Camp Phoneix

A weekend camp for Grieving families

For more information contact Gary Andy 663-4005

www.manchestervna.org

• Girl Scouts of Swift Water Council

1-800065401270

www.swgirlscouts.org

• YMCA

YMCA Camp Halfmoon

Goffstown, New Hampshire, USA Phone: 603-623-3558, (603)-497-4663

• YMCA Camp Merrimack

www.nmymca.org

Your child will have a great camp experience in our sports and special interest camps.

Camps include soccer, swimming, fitness, basketball, baseball, lacrosse, cheerleading,

media, ballet/tap, jazz/hip hop, theater arts, creative & visual arts and dance intensive.

All camps will also enjoy arts & crafts, swimming, games and outdoor play.

• YMCA Camp Sargent

www.campsargent.org

Let your child enjoy the great outdoors this summer at Camp Sargent. The joys of

camping as well as the introduction of new and exciting adventures and friendships

have been shared with boys and girls for over 80 years. Camp activities include

swimming, swim lessons, archery, canoeing, crafts, nature and drama. Camp Sargent is

the place where your child can grow and have fun.

• Waukeela Camp for Girls

Residential girls' summer camp

Eaton Center, New Hampshire

Tucked in New Hampshire's White Mountains, Waukeela offers a traditional, 4-week

camp program for 8-15 year old girls seeking challenge without pressure and

community without conformity. 115 campers and 55 staff from 25 states, 2 week

program also available for 8-10 year olds. Instruction provided in many individual sports

and artistic activities plus a strong adventure program featuring backpacking, canoeing,

and whitewater canoeing trips. www.waukeela.com, (207) 774-7777

• Melody Pines Day Camp

Manchester-Coed

www.melodypines.com

Melody Pines is a family owned private day camp located on Corning Road in

Manchester, NH and has been in operation for over 55 years. The daily program is from

9 to 3:45 with drop off between 7 and 9 and pick up between 4:00 and 5:30 pm.

Activities include swimming, boating, kayaking, canoeing, waterskiing, sports games,

arts & crafts, archery, riflery, climbing wall, and many special events. Ages 5-13.

• Camp Naticook

Merrimack-Coed

www.ci.merrimack.nh.us

Our philosophy is one of learning and fun in a relaxed atmosphere. We care about each

child and do everything possible to meet individual, unique needs. Our goal is to help

each camper increase confidence and establish a more positive self-image. At

Naticook, every camper is #1. Ages 5-14.

• Camp Allen

www.campalle

Camp Naticook

Merrimack-Coed

www.ci.merrimack.nh.us

Our philosophy is one of learning and fun in a relaxed atmosphere. We care about each

child and do everything possible to meet individual, unique needs. Our goal is to help

each camper increase confidence and establish a more positive self-image. At

Naticook, every camper is #1. Ages 5-14.

• Camp Allen

www.campallennh.org

Camp Allen provides opportunitees for growth, friendship and fun for children and adults

with developmental disabilities and other challenges in an outdoor environment. Ask

about of Life Camp and Kids & Sids program. Ages 6+.

Bullying Update

Well the first year of the new bullying curriculum has almost come to an end.

First graders discussed differences between one another, and how that makes all of us diverse. However diverse we may be, we still need to remember to respect one another. We also talked about playing games online and making safe choices.

Second graders discussed friends, differences and traits of good friends. We also discussed in length what a bully, target, egger, bystander, and cyberbully are.

Bully: someone who hurts or scares kids on purpose.

Target or victim: the person getting bullied.

Egger: the kids who help the bully by laughing at targets and encouraging the bully to bully.

Bystanders: the people who see bullying happen. "Witnesses".

Cyberbully: Bullying that happens thru technology. ie. e-mail, social media's MySpace, Facebook, texting, pictures on the computer or on cell phones, and/or Pictochat on DSI etc...

Third graders discussed bullying, what it is, who is involved, what to do if you ever see bullying or are involved in some way. They are currently finishing a project where they were asked to create a comic involving bullying or cyberbullying.

Fourth graders have been working extremely hard on an anti-bullying book to read to first graders at Maple Avenue. They will be completing their projects this month.

If you have any questions on bullying, please feel free to contact me. The bullying curriculum is also posted on the Goffstown SAU website under resources-anti-bullying committee.

Oppositional Defiant Disorder

The American Psychiatric Association Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition, (DSM-IV) defines oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) as a recurrent pattern of negativistic, defiant, disobedient, and hostile behavior toward authority figures that persists for at least 6 months. Behaviors included in the definition are losing one's temper, arguing with adults, actively defying requests, refusing to follow rules, deliberately annoying others, blaming others for one's own mistakes or misbehavior, being touchy, easily annoyed or angered, resentful, spiteful or vindictive.

The most effective treatment for children with ODD appears to be social competence training, the teaching of specific emotional, behavioral, and social skills.

How to best interact with such children.

• Use short explanations of ten words or fewer.
• Say exactly what you want.
• Speak calmly and clearly.
• Make eye contact and control your facial expression, posture, and gestures.
• Talk about what is happening right now.
• Focus on solutions, not problems.
• Ask questions and get feedback.
• See the child as a whole person with strengths and weaknesses.

What is anxiety???

Everyone experiences anxiety in their lives at some point, whether it's before taking a test, the start of the school year, moving to another school, etc... These feelings are healthy and normal.

For some students however, anxiety takes over their everyday activities or lives and becomes a constant condition that can impede their daily functioning. "The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition, describes people with anxiety disorders as those who experience intense worry, fear, or uneasiness to a degree that interferes with their everyday lives over an extended amount of time". Children who are anxious will also display at least one of the following: difficulty sleeping, trouble concentrating, irritability, or muscle tension.

If you believe your child may have anxiety, it would be best to consult with your child's pediatrician.