Also, we are really excited to announce our newest addition to the social work website: "What To Do If..." If you go to the main page (just click on the main tab "Home," not any of the subtabs that come up when you hover over "Home") of the social work website, you will find some common questions that come to the social workers from parents. Just click on a "scenario" and you'll find information and resources on the topic! Feel free to write us with suggestions for more topics! Have a great Wolverine day!
We are so excited for a new year here at Westgate! The first day of school is August 25, 2014 - be there or be square!
Also, we are really excited to announce our newest addition to the social work website: "What To Do If..." If you go to the main page (just click on the main tab "Home," not any of the subtabs that come up when you hover over "Home") of the social work website, you will find some common questions that come to the social workers from parents. Just click on a "scenario" and you'll find information and resources on the topic! Feel free to write us with suggestions for more topics! Have a great Wolverine day!
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Teasing is a part of life; in fact, sometimes it can be fun! I always tell my students that there is "nice teasing" and there is "mean teasing," and you have to learn to tell the difference to react appropriately. "Nice teasing" usually comes from someone who cares about you (a good friend, for example). This friend may tease you to help you laugh about a difficult situation and take things less seriously. Some who is "nice teasing" will laugh WITH you, not AT you. It's important not to take "nice teasing" the wrong way and become overly offended or sensitive. Laughing at yourself and enjoying good-natured ribbing is a part of having fun and enjoying relationships. "Mean teasing" is different - and the difference is usually pretty obvious. Kids who are "mean teasing" are usually not your friends, might be older, and usually have more "social power." Kids who are "mean teasing" are trying to embarrass you. They are laughing AT you, not WITH you. If this goes on for a long time and isn't an isolated incident, it can be called "bullying." However, it's important not to call the occasional mean tease or a regular conflict "bullying." Two books that handle this issue very well are Tease Monster, by Julia Cook and Anita DuFalla, and Simon's Hook, by Karen Gedig Burnett and Laurie Barrows. Simon's Hook, in particular, provides practical strategies to help empower students to handle teasing on their own. The strategies may not seem conventional, but they help students to not internalize the "hooks" (teasing) and show the teaser that it's not so easy to ruffle their feathers: 1. Do Little or Nothing (don't react) 2. Agree with the teaser (even though you really don't!) 3. Distract (change the subject) 4. Laugh or Make a Joke 5. Stay Away from the teaser Simon's Hook also provides lots of teasing examples to "practice on" using the different strategies. It's important for students to know that if they feel unsafe or afraid (particularly if the teasing turns into physical aggression), they should ask an adult for help. Encourage conversation with your child, and if you're concerned, contact the school. Your child's teacher, the principal and assistant principal, or the social worker are all great people to talk to about teasing. At Westgate Elementary we are always looking for ways to support students’ growth and learning. In the past, parents have found it helpful to come together and talk about how their children are doing in school. The primary focus of this group is to provide support to parents of students with special needs. Every meeting we present information on a topic that affects students at Westgate. Members of the student support team will be available to provide information and facilitate conversation. Please come join us as we begin our parent and guardian support group.
Please join us for our next parent support group which will take place on Monday, March 31 in the conference room at Westgate from 9:00 - 10:30 A.M. The topic is Social Skills: Making Friends, Initiating Conversations, "Hidden Rules," and "Expected" Behavior. If your child is receiving free or reduced lunch services, they are eligible to attend Summer U free of charge. There are many different offerings at Summer U, including Literacy and Math Review classes, Dance, Art, Writing, Reading, Gymnastics, and even Lego fun! Registration began on March 13 and ends May 1. Summer U will be at South Middle School; transportation to Summer U is NOT covered for students receiving free or reduced lunch services.
To see the brochure listing Summer U class offerings and to register for Summer U, click on this link. Si su hijo está recibiendo servicios de almuerzo gratis oa precio reducido, son elegibles para asistir a Summer U de forma gratuita. Hay muchas ofertas diferentes en verano U, incluyendo alfabetización y matemáticas Revisión clases, danza, arte, escritura, lectura, gimnasia y divertido incluso Lego! El registro comenzó el 13 de marzo y termina el 1 de mayo. Summer U estará en South Middle School; transporte a Summer U NO está cubierto para los estudiantes que reciben servicios de almuerzo gratis oa precio reducido. Para ver el folleto que ofertas de clases de verano en U y para registrarse para el verano de U, haga clic en este enlace. I have made a few of these with students, and now all the kids at Westgate want one! These "glitter bottles" are easy to make and great for promoting relaxation and meditation. In addition, these can be used for "time outs." Your child can sit and watch the glitter float to the bottom (amount of time it takes depends on how much glue you use - most of mine are 3-5 minute bottles). I even made one for myself! All you need is a water bottle, water, some glitter glue, some clear glue, and some fine glitter. It's a fun craft to do with your child - kinda messy though! Enjoy!
http://mycrazyblessedlife.com/2011/10/03/relax-bottletime-out-timer/ If you missed the parent group presentation on Social Emotional Curriculum and Technology, you're in luck! The Keynote presentation is included below in a video format. Each slide lasts 5 seconds, and you can rewind or fast-forward. It details materials we use to teach social/emotional skills here at Westgate and how we integrate technology into those lessons. Enjoy! Due to cold days, we had to cancel our first parent group. We have rescheduled it for Friday, 2/14/14 from 9:00 - 10:30 a.m. in the Westgate Conference Room, 104. The topic will still be Social Emotional Curriculum and Technology. We hope to see you there! Please contact Jeff Pawelski or Annie MacDowell with any questions.
All I.S. classrooms have officially completed their posters and the students are ready to defeat the Unthinkables by demonstrating flexible thinking.
Click on image to expand. The holiday season places many demands for time and resources on families. If you are in need of assistance this holiday, please contact one of the following social workers at Westgate:
Annie MacDowell Westgate School Social Worker [email protected] 847-506-6999 X6857 Jeff Pawelski Integrated Services Social Worker [email protected] 847-506-6999 X6831 |
AuthorMr. Pawelski is the Integrated Services Social Worker. Archives
October 2017
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