"Be kind."  Have you seen all the signs around town saying, "Be kind"?  I love it!  A saying so simple yet so strong and very much needed in today's world.  Kindness is the focus of the guidance lessons for the month of December and a big emphasis for what we are doing during Advent, at the K-3 Campus.  In every lesson, we discuss the "ripple effect" and how each student has the power to cause a "ripple effect" through their kind actions.  Kindergarten will be reading a story about the "Do Good Dragons" and play a game that reinforces showing acts of kindness.  The kindergarten transition through 3rd grade classes will be reading the story "He Was Kind Anyway."  The kindergarten transition class will learn how superheros are kind and villains are unkind.  Then they will play a game where they decide if various actions are those of superheros or villains.  The first grade students will play a game similar to musical chairs but instead of being out when the music stops, they have to draw a case scenario from a cup and decide how they could show kindness in that particular situation and talk about whether or not showing kindness in that situation would be difficult our easy.  The second grade students will do a  little science experiment where they are given a picture of an object and are asked to pretend that they don't know what it is.  (The four groups are given different pictures of pineapples.)  After answering some questions, we talk about how you cannot judge a person by their exterior and sometimes actions, as well,  just as you cannot know the sweet fruit of a pineapple by looking at its exterior.  By being kind, even to the mean, snarky people, we can get to know them and help them.  Third grade students also will do a little science experiment!  The students watch as one drop of food coloring is added to a clear bowl of water.  We talk about what happens to the dye and slowly add more drops of dye.  Very slowly, the water changes color.  We compare acts of kindness to the drops of dye and discuss how our acts of kindness slowly spread more kindness to others.  The students then write two positive affirmation statements on white paper.  They wad up their two sheets of paper and have a quick "snow ball" fight.  At the end, each student picks up two "snow balls" and read the positive affirmations, which makes them feel good!  They then make a "cool to be kind" snowman.  There are some very interactive lessons this month.
     The month of December is always so exciting but always so busy.  It is too easy to get wrapped up in all the programs, parties and other festivities.  I hope everyone (myself included) is able to take a moment and truly enjoy the season and especially Christmas day!  Here is an article to help promote that thought.  (It also touches on the "being thankful" attitude that I mentioned last month.) www.foxnews.com/opinion/mom-didnt-enjoy-her-last-christmas-with-all-of-her-kids-and-thats-ok  Here is another article that tackles focusing on the "miracle and not the material."  www.foxnews.com/opinion/give-your-kids-what-they-really-want-this-christmas  There was a link inside the previous article that had suggestions for random acts of kindnesses that families can do together.  There really are some sweet ideas on the list.  Here is the link: https://courtneydefeo.com/lightemup/
     I hope that you all have a blessed and peaceful Christmas and a New Year that brings even more blessings and peace!  As always, feel free to contact me at kim.bennett@owensborocatholic.org or at (270) 684-7583

    

     In a recent reflection from The Word Among Us, the author asked the readers to think about what they would have if they only had what they had given thanks for the previous day.  That stopped me in my tracks!  It was a very effective way to drive home the point that I should be thankful and grateful in all that I do.  Yes that includes even the very trying situations that we face in this life.  A very good friend has been teaching me to find the positive in situations that aren't the greatest.  In truth, these not so favorable situations do have valuable lessons to learn.  Those lessons help gain wisdom that can help me and others down the road.  So yes, I need to be more thankful for the good and the bad.  (Although, there are some situations that I don't know that I would ever be thankful for such as natural disasters and personal tragedies.)  After reading that, I began to think about everything for which I needed to be grateful.  Then I began to think about how I need to teach this to my kids more, as well.  In thinking about the various ways to teach gratitude and looking at different articles that address the topic, the reality is that that this is more than saying "please" and "thank you."  True thankfulness and gratitude includes being appreciative of others and having patience as well as counting your blessings.  The Focus on the Family website has a series called "Training Kids To Be Thankful."  The articles address these issues and offer a variety of practical ways to teach kids how to be thankful in the "me-centered" world.  https://www.focusonthefamily.com/parenting/spiritual-growth-for-kids/gratitude/training-kids-to-be-grateful
     This month in guidance classes, we're  focusing on feelings, with a Thanksgiving twist.  Kindergarten students will see a power point about a dinosaur friend named Cryceratop and then create a small "Thanksgiving themed" book about feelings. The kindergarten transition class will be the first to have guidance centers, all focusing on feelings.  Each activity will have a fall/Thanksgiving theme.  First grade has a Safari Friends "Name That Feeling" game (very similar to Jeopardy).  The second grade students will be watching video clips from the movie, "Inside Out" and then playing a Thanksgiving feeling bingo game.  The kindergarten through second grade lessons teach students to look at body language and facial expressions to help determine how a person may be feeling.  The third grade students have a power point from the Hocus Pocus series, titled "Emotions Potions.  Students will learn the steps for voicing how they feel, in a non-confrontive way.  The students will then play a feeings story telling game, using scarecrow feelings cards.
     I hope that everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving!  I am so thankful to work with such amazing children and awesome staff at the K-3 Campus.  Please contact me if I can be of assistance in any way.  kim.bennett@owensborocatholic.org  or (270)- 684-7583 

     Happy Fall!  October is both Bully Awareness month and National Substance Abuse Prevention month.  Here at the K-3 Campus, we used to participate in Red Ribbon Week.  However, we found that many of the students just didn't "get" the whole point of Red Ribbon Week.  Sometimes we got a lot of questions concerning drugs and alcohol because they were unaware of them.  That's a good thing!  Last year we decided to have lessons about bullying during the month of October.  I want to continue the topic and expand it a little more to cyber bullying and internet safety.  While the internet can be an amazing thing to explore, it can also be very scary.  Internet safety is something that I have always tried to sprinkle into lessons, when it was appropriate.  As the number of children on the internet grows, here are some statistics to give some perspective to the topic.  According to growingwireless.com, 56% of children ages 8 to 12 have a cellphone.  Among children 8 years and younger 21% use  smartphones.  38% of children under the age of 2 use a mobile device for media purposes.  According to guardchild.com, 21% of kindergarten to second grade students have cell phones.  70% of children ages 7 to 18 have accidentally encountered online pornography.  65% of 8 to 14 year olds have been in a cyber bullying incident. Children are stepping into a world where they think they can safely play.  In reality, more and more children (and sometimes very young children) are exposed to the dangers of the internet.  I feel that it is an important topic that needs to be discussed.  In their guidance lessons, they will be introduced to some basic rules for internet safety.  The curriculum comes from the NetSmartz Workshop resources created by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.  Guidance lessons will be in the Chromebook lab.  There will be two lessons this month.  In the first lesson, the students will watch a video called, "Router's Birthday Surprise."  The video has fun, age appropriate characters that learn about rules that address what they should do if they:
     *see something inappropriate online
     *are asked to share personal information
     *are asked to meet offline
     *encounter a cyberbully
Students will also learn about four "out-laws," who they may encounter while on the internet;
     *Meet-Me Mack who encourages people to meet face-to-face
     *Look-At-Dis Louie who tries to get people to look at sites, images, etc. that could make them
       feel "sad, scared or confused"
     *Potty-Mouth Pete who encourages people to be mean or rude online
     *Wanta-Know Wally who encourages people to share personal information
After watching the video students will complete some activities to reinforce what they have learned and also be allowed to explore the NetSmatzKids.org website which is a kid friendly website that focuses on the concepts taught in the lessons.  I hope that the lessons create boundaries for kids when they are on line and that these boundaries will stick with them as they grow!
     Parenting with the internet has created a new challenge.  As I tell my kids, my version of snap chat was writing everything on a piece of notebook paper and folding it in a variety of creative ways.  We did not face the challenges that our young people face today.  I encourage you to visit the websites listed above.  There are some excellent resources for parents.  Here are a few more links to some resources for various online topics.  https://www.netsmartz.org/TrendsandTopics  Here is another article about dangerous apps.  https://foreverymom.com/family-parenting/6-dangerous-apps-jenny-rapson/?utm_source=Facebook&utm_medium=Mique&utm_campaign=danger+apps
     As always, please feel free to contact me at kim.bennett@owensborocatholic.org or (270) 684-7583.   I hope everyone has a very blessed and restful fall break!

     Welcome to a new school year!  I hope that everyone has had a great start to the school year.  Before I go any farther, I would like to introduce myself to any new families.  My name is Kim Bennett and I am the guidance counselor at the K-3 Campus.  This is my 7th year in the Owensboro Catholic Schools.  I divided my time between the K-3 Campus and the 4-6 Campus for the first five years.  This is my second year being at the K-3 Campus full time.  I teach monthly guidance lessons to the students, and the focus of each lesson is always included in my monthly blog.   My husband is Dan Bennett and I am the mother of four: Noah, Jonah, Allison and Anna Claire.  It is a blessing to be able to work in the Owensboro Catholic School system!
     By this time, students should be getting settled into a routine for school.  Having a consistent morning routine, bedtime and homework schedule will help a lot, in this area.  With that being said, I know that consistent routines can be very difficult at times and even seem impossible at times.  Sometimes you have to "shoot for the moon and hope you land among the stars"-just do your best, that's all any of us can do.
     The beginning of the school year can be so difficult, on many levels.  For some (and this would be me!), it can be difficult because we are saying good bye to the lazy days of summer.  For some, it is the dread of school work and homework.  And for some, it is the "letting go" process, which can be very difficult.  I noticed on my Facebook feed that there were lots of parents struggling with watching their little one go off to school.  If you are reading this, then chances are, you have been through this stage, to some degree.  Some parents cannot wait for their child to start school, while some cry more than the student does.  There is no right or wrong, regarding feelings, in this situation.  But I can assure you that each of the students are walking into a classroom where there is an adult ready to take on several roles, first and foremost being an educator.  There is an adult who can not wait to watch their students' minds grow.  There is an adult who is excited to watch them mature throughout the year.  There is an adult who will guide each student to where they need to go.  There is an adult to help them if there is a problem and rejoice with them when they succeed.  There is an adult who will be a shoulder to cry on and who will be a cheerleader for motivation.  That adult is called a teacher.  Having experienced seven beginnings of school years here at OCS, I can tell you that the teachers pray for the students, their families and the upcoming year, before the year even begins.  So whether your child laughed and skipped as they got out of the car or onto the bus that first morning or resisted letting go of your hand, your child is surrounded by adults who love them and have made it their mission to educate them, through Christ, in which all things are possible!
     So on with the guidance lessons!  The kindergarten lessons come from the "Dino-mite Students" curriculum.  All of these lessons have a dinosaur theme.  In this month's lesson, the class will be introduced to the guidance program and the various ways that I may work with students.  We will also talk about making friends and what a good friend looks like.  Each lesson usually begins with a short power point presentation that introduces our theme.  After the power point, there will be some type of activity.  This month the students will be working on a coloring sheet.  In later lessons, we also will have some cool games to play, as well!
      First grade lessons also focus on making and keeping friends.  The first grade lessons come from the "Counseling Safari" curriculum.  There are safari friends that introduce and talk about the monthly topic.   After watching the power point, the students will play a few games of musical chairs.  One game has people "get out" while the second game does not let anyone "get out."
      Second grade lessons come from the "Pineapple Posse" curriculum.  All of these lessons have a pineapple theme.  "Pineapple Posse" frequently uses acronyms to help student remember the topic of focus.  After watching the power point, students will make a flip book about how to be a great "pal."
      Third grade lessons come from the "Hocus Pocus" curriculum.  These are magic themed lessons.  After watching the power point presentation, students will participate in an interactive google slide activity that will help them with friendship skills.
     There is going to be lots of learning going on in the month of September!  Please let me know if there is anything that I can do to help your student(s) and/or family.  I can be reached through email: kim.bennett@owensborocatholic.org or by calling the school at (270)-684-7583.

                                                                   I hope you have a blessed September!

     We have finally made it to May and as of this posting, there are 20 days of school left!  AND we are finally beginning to have warm, spring weather!  We are on the down hill stretch!  We are wrapping things up in guidance classes. The focus for the kindergarten students is growth mindset.  They will watch a power point and then participate in a small group challenge that will encourage them to practice what they have learned.  Both first and second grades will be reflecting on what they have learned and accomplished throughout the year.  Each grade level has a fun activity to complete, which will help them reflect.  The third grade students will play a jeopardy game that focuses on growth mindset.
     With summer getting close, I have been thinking about various activities that I would like to add to my "Summer 2018 bucket list."  Schedules can still be somewhat hectic with extra curricular activities, but I am certain that I will hear that dreaded phrase: "I'm bored."   I think this is something every kid has said at some point or another during summer break.  (If your child has never said this, count yourself one of the blessed few.)  When I was little, I made the phrase into a song, that drove my mother crazy.  Sometimes I would get suggestions of what I could do and sometimes I was left to figure it out on my own.  In revisiting my previous end of the year blogs, I talked about how it is not the parents sole responsibility to keep a child entertained.  I still stand by that!  We are parents, not the children's activities director at a camp or on a cruise ship.  It is ok to encourage your child to entertain themselves from time to time.  In doing this, you are helping your child develop skills that will be used throughout their lives.  Problem solving skills, social skills and creative thinking to name a few.   Here is a website that offers many ideas for pool noodles (not all of them require a pool!)  https://www.themaven.net/kidsactivities/kidsactivities/21-ways-to-play-with-pool-noodles-this-summer-8YfUOavD_kGF0g5cV8LVTw?full=1  Here is an article with activity ideas using Dollar Store finds.  https://www.buzzfeed.com/mikespohr/29-dollar-store-finds-that-will-keep-your-kids-busy-all-summ?bffb&utm_term=.dgZEPGD9x#.qkvlW7gNM  Here is one last article that warns about some dangerous apps, that may be on a child's device.  https://foreverymom.com/family-parenting/6-dangerous-apps-jenny-rapson/?utm_source=Facebook&utm_medium=Mique&utm_campaign=danger+apps  I'm not certain how old this article is and may have used it before, however it never hurts to throw out a reminder of the dangers of the internet.   It can be too easy to let kids play on devices for long periods of times.  What may seem like a peaceful time for an adult, can actually be very dangerous for kids.  It can seem like an uphill battle because the internet is constantly changing.  Some of the apps mentioned in the article may not be as popular now, but it doesn't hurt to revisit the security settings on devices!
     I hope that everyone has a wonderful and restful summer break!  Please let me know if you have any questions or if I can help in any way!   -Kim Bennett, Guidance Counselor, K-3 Campus

     I hope everyone had a Happy Easter and enjoyed their spring break (although it felt like another winter break)!  Never the less, the time off was much needed.  Throughout the Lenten season, I read reflections from The Word Among Us, which is one of my favorite Catholic magazines.  Often when I read a reflection, I will think, "That was written just for me."  Don't you love it when that happens?  God knows what you need and provides.   The kicker is that we like to think we know what we need.  The phrase that immediately comes to mind: "We plan and God laughs."  If God texted, He would insert the laughing face emoji.  I had to travel during the break and the only way to get there was flying.  I hate to fly!  After worrying myself senseless, praying countless rosaries and some divine mercy chaplets, I read the following reflection: "Prayer is sitting on the runway, and God's grace meets us there, fuels our plane, and takes us into the atmosphere."  That was God's way of saying" I have told you it's going to be alright!"  Of course that reflection came a couple of days after the first flight, but the flight home was a little easier.  Phrases like this also can be helpful in one of the toughest jobs we will ever do-parenting.  Many of the recent reflections and articles that have caught my attention have focused on parenting.  One of the reflections during Holy Week, found in The Word Among Us, focused on listening skills for parents.  The article made some valuable suggestions about how we, as parents, should listen to our children. One suggestion focused on how we should become “loving, careful listeners,” which explained that we should suspend our own agendas and judgements to better see how our children are viewing a situation.  Another suggestion included looking for signs that can point to specific struggles they are experiencing and avoiding quick responses to smooth things over.   Pay attention to what they are saying, what they are trying to say and what they are not saying was a final suggestion.  Verbal communication is becoming a lost skill.  Sometime I need reminding that I have to be the driving force for communication with my children.  The younger ones can be very verbal but the older ones are a different story if I let them dissolve into their devices (phone, tablet, etc.).  We are not alone in this job.  We need to support each other and remember that the Father is ALWAYS there for us.  A reflection from the Dynamic Catholic website summed it up well: "Don't hold onto anything.  There is nothing that you are holding onto that is safer in your hands than in God's."  So very true and humbling.
      In April's guidance lessons, the kindergarten class will learn about and practice self control, especially blurting out in the classroom.  This can be so difficult for children this age.  I frequently talk with students about finding their "pause button," to help with impulse control.  We will be playing a game to help develop this skill further.  Both the first and second grade classes will focus on cooperation.  Both classes will be playing some fun but challenging games to practice working with others as a team.  Not only will we discuss how there is "no I in teamwork," we will also discuss how it feels to depend on others to complete a task.  The third grade classes will focus on decision making skills incorporating a growth mindset.  We will discuss short term and long term consequences that follow decisions we make.  It's hard to think about third graders needing this skill, but in today's world of instant gratification, it is a skill that children need to develop. 
    If you have any questions/comments or need help with anything please contact me at kim.bennett@owensborocatholic.org or at (270)-684-7583.

     Happy March!  The days are getting warmer (maybe?) and longer.  Spring is here and spring break is just a few weeks away.  I love this time of year!  The students continue to come to my room for guidance classes and hopefully are learning little life lessons that will help them "down the road."  The kindergarten class is focusing on ways to be courteous when playing with friends.  The students have to navigate through an obstacle course of towers without knocking any down.  The first grade students are learning to "throw kindness like confetti."  We discuss ways to be kind to our peers and how we feel when other s are kind to us.  They are learning ways to be bucket fillers. The second grade students are learning about ways to be more accepting of others.  They also are practicing finding the positive aspects of people, instead of focusing on the negative.  The third grade students are completing a friendship escape room.  They will have a total of 6 different puzzles to solve in order to "escape."  All of the puzzles focus on the good qualities of friendship.
     There has been another school shooting since my last blog.  I cannot imagine how devastating and heartbreaking this must be for parents, classmates and school communities.  Things have changed since I was in school.  We did not have school shootings.  If something tragic did happen, it was not thrusted in my face by social media.  It is heartbreaking that our children have to deal with this reality.  This topic can be very scary and difficult to discuss with children.  When we have lock down drills, students usually have a few questions.  A good rule to follow when discussing such events, is to let you child lead the discussion.  Going into great detail is not always needed and not recommended.  Children will usually continue to ask questions until they are satisfied.  Here are a few articles giving suggestions for talking with your children about tragic events, specifically school shootings.     http://www.crayonfreckles.com/2018/02/talking-with-children-about-school.html  and  https://www.realsimple.com/work-life/family/school-shootings?utm_source=pinterest.com&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=realsimple  There is also a children's book titled, A Terrible Thing Happened by Margaret M. Holmes, that can be helpful in discussions with children.  This book was written shortly after 911.  The "terrible thing" is depicted as a black scribble when it is envisioned by the main character.  By doing this, the "terrible thing" can represent many different situations.   I have personally used this book with children and found it very helpful.  I hope that no one will have to call upon these resources, but they are here if they are needed.
     Please let me know if you have any questions or if I can help in any way.  I can be reached through email, at kim.bennett@owensborocatholic.org or at (270) 684-7583.

     With Catholic Schools Week behind us and MAP testing just about finished, February should be a calm month.  With that said, we are entering our longest stretch of school for the school year.  At the end of our last snow day, we had 10 solid weeks before spring break.  The good news is that we have 2 of those weeks behind us.  These weeks can seem very long and trying at times.  We will all need a good dose of patience.  Fr. Richard Meredith used to say that God was actually teaching us patience, in times like these.  Maybe we can include this in our lenten sacrifices.
     Last month, I began a new series of lessons with kindergarten, first and second grades.  All of the classes came to my room for their lessons, and I think it was a big hit!  I plan to continue doing this for the remainder of the year.  The kindergarten lessons are dinosaur themed while first grade are safari themed.  Both of these grades will have lessons focusing on tattling and when to tell.  I know the teachers like this topic and hopefully it will be helpful at home, as well  (I wish I had a dollar for every time I have told my own kids "You worry about yourself and not what your brother/sister is doing."  I would have a nice vacation fund going!)  Second grade lessons have a pineapple theme.  I'll admit that I was a unsure of this theme, but it seems to be going over well with the students.  This month second grade will focus on conflict resolution.  Learning how to communicate and work out our differences is a skill that everyone needs, regardless of age or grade.  Third grade will continue with the growth mindset lessons.  This month we will discuss what it takes to be a successful learner and how effort and practice are essential for success, in the classroom.
     I have been exploring the "Focus on the Family" website.  There are so many good articles and surveys on this site.  You can sign up for weekly emails that will include upcoming podcasts, featured books and articles and movie reviews.  I really like the movie review feature.  A review will tell you all the good, bad and ugly in a new release (right down to he number of times inappropriate language is used).   I encourage you to check it out when you have time.  I found the following articles on the site.   https://www.focusonthefamily.com/parenting/schoolage-children/wanted-good-friends  and https://www.focusonthefamily.com/parenting/schoolage-children/kids-and-comparison/end-parenting-comparisons-and-choose-contentment.  One article gives excellent tips on helping our children become good friends.  This article ties in nicely with the second grade conflict resolution lesson.  The second article helps us deal with comparing ourselves to others.  I see children do this frequently and I'd be lying if I said that I have never done it.  Comparing ourselves to others can happen so easily, without notice.  This article point out that we should have more gratitude for what we do have instead of what we don't have.
     On a side note, the season of Lent begins next week.  I also encourage you to check out Matthew Kelly's "Best Lent Ever" program.  By signing up on his website, you will receive a daily email that "guides you through the season of Lent."  Here is a link to his website: https://dynamiccatholic.com/bestlentever
     As always, please contact me if you have any worries or concerns.  I can be reached at the K-3 Campus (270) 684-7583 or through email at kim.bennett@owensborocatholic.org.

    

     Happy New Year!  Let me start off with part of the first reading from January 1st.
   "The Lord bless you and keep you!
    The Lord let his face shine upon you, and be gracious to you!
    The Lord look upon you kindly and give you peace!
    So shall they invoke my name upon the Israelites, and I will   
    bless them."
                                                               Numbers 6:22-27
That is a wonderful verse to begin a new year!  May it bring you peace and happiness!

     It is time to get back into the groove and get back to work.  These first few days after a long break can be difficult, but hang in there.  Remember that getting enough rest and a consistent routine will help students get back into the swing of things.  
     I came across an article over the Christmas break that got my attention just in reading the title: "Life Isn't Fair!"  http://mormonmomplanner.blogspot.com/2017/11/life-isnt-fair.html?m=1  Learning how to deal with life's disappointments is a difficult concept for children and adults, but it is a much needed lesson.  This article is well worth the time to reading it.  The author makes some very good points about why our children need to be able "to roll with the dirty, street fighting, no rules, no honor punches life throws."  The article also gives some affirmation to parents when they are dealing with the "life's not fair" situations.  Helping our children accept and gain knowledge form these situations can develop skills that our children will benefit from throughout their lives.
     Including others, showing responsibility and developing a growth mindset will be the topics for the guidance classes this month.  The kindergarten classes will address being shy and including others.  While most of the kindergarten students have made friends at this point in the school year, being shy can still be a struggle.  This lesson will also help explain the importance of including others in their daily activities.  First and second grades are focusing on what it means to be responsible.  Teaching this concept at a young age will benefit them later on in life!  Kindergarten through second grades will be playing a game and reviewing a power point presentation when learning about these topics.  Third grade will focus on how to develop a growth mindset through an interactive power point presentation.  (The third graders appear to enjoy coming to my office for their class!) 

    I hope you experience a peaceful January! Please contact me at (270) 684-7583 or kim.bennett@owensborocatholic.org if you have any questions or concerns.