AUGUST = Back to school
As we began to settle into our school routines, we took the time to get to know each other a little bit better. During classroom guidance, we played name games, set goals for the school year, and learned about the role of the school counselor! This is going to be an awesome year at Findley Elementary School!
September = conflict resolution
During the month of September all students learned about eight conflict resolution tools. Once the "tools" were learned we worked together to model them through role playing, creating songs, and completing artwork. It is very important for students to know how to solve small conflicts on their own as well as knowing when to get an adult for help. The eight conflict resolution tools taught were: walk away, ignore it, wait and cool off, ask them to stop, go to another activity, apologize, talk it out, and use an "I-Message."
october = prevention
Since October is nationally recognized as Bullying Prevention Month and Red Ribbon Week, we decided to dedicate the entire month of October to Prevention. Students learned about bullying behaviors and steps for prevention. During the last week of the month, students learned about Red Ribbon Week and how healthy choices lead to brighter futures.
november = personal safety
The month of November has been dedicated to Personal Safety. All Findley students are learning how to keep safe from strangers, as well as, good touch vs. bad touch. Sometimes these topics can be very difficult but are very important. At Findley we care deeply about our students and want them to be safe in school and out of school. If our students were ever placed in a dangerous situation, we would want them to react SMART not SCARED. We encourage our parents and guardians to create a safety plan with their children and talk about trusted adults their children can go to for help.
december = cooperation
For the month of December classroom guidance lessons focused on cooperation. Miss Dehner worked with students on getting along, compromising, cooperating, and showing kindness. Before winter break, every student completed three random acts of kindness everyday for one week. At the end of the week, students wrote one random act of kindness that they were really proud of on a snowflake. Miss Dehner stapled the snowflakes on a bulletin board for all students, staff, and family members to see. It's the little things that we do that have the potential to change the world!
january = study skills
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How do Findley students start the new year? By working on and improving their study skills so they can finish the school year strong. Miss Dehner worked with all students, K-5, on a variety of study skills. Some of the skills covered were:
*Organization *Listening *Asking questions *Planning *Setting goals *Homework *Problem-solving *Encouragement |
february = anti-bias & Harassment
During the month of February, all students learned about diversity and acceptance. As a part of the Des Moines Public Schools, we are proud of the fact that we are a very diverse district. If you ask one of our students why diversity is important in education, I guarantee you'll be blown away by their answer. For example, when a fifth grader answered this question, she said "...because it will help prepare me for the world." It is responses like this that let us know we are on track for preparing and educating our future citizens.
March = #careermadness
Findley Elementary School is a Dreamer Academy - an institution where college and career readiness are a primary goal for all students and their families. During the month of March, Miss Dehner focused her classroom guidance lessons on deepening the knowledge students already had established about careers and correlating educational paths. It is never too early to start college and career readiness; these foundational years are very important. For children, they only know what they are exposed to - therefore at Findley we want to make sure our students are exposed to a variety of career options. We instill hope into our students futures.
