Happy Fall Yall!  At this point in the year, I usually make some comment about how I can't believe how the year is flying by.  But in 2020, my thoughts are quite different (in fact it's more like "keep on going").  With that said, I do want you to know how well all of the students are doing with the many, many safety precautions put in place.  They really are troopers, doing what they need to do to stay safe and healthy!  It certainly has been a year of adjustments and we are rolling with it!

     Fall break is just around the corner.  While some families are choosing to travel, others are choosing "staycations."  If there is one thing we have gained form this pandemic, we have developed the skill of thinking outside of the box.  There are still several creative things to do for the staycationers, to have a fun fall break!  The following is a small list of options:

    *Boo Festival at Diamond Lakes  https://visitowensboro.com/listing/boo-fest/

    * Artland at the Owensboro Museum of Fine Arts  http://www.omfa.us/ (scroll towards the bottom of the page for information)

    *Trunnell's Farm Market Family Fun-Acre & Cornmaze  https://www.trunnellsfarmmarket.com/index.php

    *Reied's Orchard Reidland Play Acre  http://reidorchard.com/reidland-play-area/

    *Trails at Yellow Creek Park

    *Trails at Panther Creek Park

*Please note that at the time I was writing this, the above events were not cancelled.  I apologize if anything cancelled by the time this was read.

     The following link is to a neat, family friendly, fall bucket list for those inspired to create activities at home.  The list contains things such a make a scarecrow, drink apple cider and make smores to name a few.  www.chelseasmessyapron.com/fall-bucket-list/  Whichever you choose, I hope everyone has a fun and relaxing break.  Please remember to be safe, wear masks and socially distance when possible.  I know this can be difficult to do.  Everyone struggles with this at times, my family included.  However, it does help keep our school open and going!

     All the classrooms participated in guidance classes in the month of September.  I will continue to visit classrooms one time a month for this school year.  Last month, all the classrooms learned about the role of a school counselor, which included helping students, teachers and families.  We talked about the various topics that will be covered in guidance class, and we talked about the "weird year" of 2020.  They truly are learning valuable lessons from this time of trial.

     In October, we will be reviewing good listening skills and how those skills are used and greatly needed in the classroom.  We will also be reading the story Spookley the Square Pumpkin.  The kindergarten and first grades classes will be learning about telling verses tattling.  The second and third grade classes will be learning how each person is made to be unique and appear different even though we are all the same on the inside.  We will also discuss how teasing, because of differences, can be hurtful.

     Again, I hope that everyone has a great fall break.  Please contact me if you have any questions or need any assistance.  I can be reached at kim.bennett@owensborocatholic.org or (270) 684-7583.  You can also submit a request for assistance through the OCS webpage.  Here is the link Request For Contact From the Counselor

Have a great month of October!