Hey April, I'm loving your weather!   I hope everyone had a wonderful Easter and great spring break!  We are on the down hill slide-woohoo!  This year-what can you say?  We have shown resilience, grit and perseverance!  The life lessons we have learned just might outweigh some of the academic lessons we have learned.  I am so proud of the students and hope that they remember the many positives they have encountered throughout the year.  I hope that the positives far outweigh the negative.

      This month's guidance lessons are focused on growth mindset, my favorite concept to teach!  The growth mindset concept was first introduced over 30 years ago by Carol Dweck.  She wrote the book titled, Mindset: The New Psychology of Success.  The following is a brief description of Dweck (taken straight from the basic internet search of Carol Dweck):

"Carol Dweck is the Lewis and Virginia Eaton Professor of Psychology at Stanford University and one of the world's leading researchers on motivation and mindsets. Her work focuses on why people succeed and how it is possible to foster their success."

 

If you google her work, you will find article after article, post after post of information about fixed mindsets, growth mindsets, brain plasticity and other neuroscience terms.  To sum it up in a nutshell, the concept of a fixed mindset is that what we know is what we know.  We either have the ability to do something or we don't.  The growth mindset concept is that our brain is like a muscle that can grow when stretched and challenged.  If a person isn't "gifted" in a certain area that person can still learn do do the task.  Sounds pretty simple, right?  Who wouldn't have a growth mindset?  If you want to know the answer to that question take a look at how a person handles a failure or mistake.  Seeing that failure or mistake as a step on the path of progress or thinking that the concept hasn't been learned yet are indicators of a growth mindset.  Meltdowns, quitting and a feeling of being dumb are part of camp fixed mindset.  I will be the first to admit that in the past,  I have had a tendency to lean in to the fixed mindset camp.  However, I am working hard on moving over to the growth mindset side of things.  Lead by example, right?  I want our students to be wholeheartedly in camp growth mindset!  Yet too often I hear of students getting upset when they make mistakes or struggle with learning a new concept.  If they don't have a clear path to "perfect" or an A, they do not want to try.  I tackle this in their guidance lessons.  All of the classes are learning about the differences between the two mindsets through videos on class dojo and every student will receive a book mark saying "Mistakes are proof that you are trying."  First grade students will be playing a puzzle/matching game to learn the difference between fixed and growth mindset statements.  The second grade students will be doing an interactive power point differentiating between the two mindsets.   The third graders will be making growth mindset "cootie catchers."  A handout suggesting "what?" questions for a growth mindset will be sent home to parents, so be on the look out for that!

As always, please let me know if there is anything that I can do to help your student, you or your family.  I can be reached through email at kim.bennett@owensborocatholic.org or by calling (270) 684-7583.

     

     Spring is in the air (even if it's not officially spring)!  The snow was nice, but please bring on the warmer weather.  Hang on, folks!  We are finishing up the 3rd quarter and starting the 4th quarter.  Spring break is just days way.  The final round of MAP testing will be here before you know it.  But the most exciting event coming is Easter!  That is my favorite holiday.  I have said before that Easter is the continuation of the Christmas story.  At the time of writing this, we are venturing into week 2 of Lent.   I hope everyone is experiencing a meaningful Lenten season.  I am attaching Matthew Kelly's Best Lent Ever link.  www.dynamiccatholic.com/lent/best-lent-ever.html. This year, he has a book study as well.  I Heard God Laugh, written by Kelly, teaches us how to pray in very simple terms.  Yet the book is so much more than that!  He discusses the "why" and the "how" of praying and how to create the habit of praying.  It is a very easy read and several local parishes have copies of these books if you are needing one.  It's not too late to join!

   Friendship is the focus for guidance lessons this month.  I have often found the school year to resemble a "stay the night" experience.  When kids have a friend spend the night, usually everything goes great at the beginning and hopefully into the morning (barring no tears, missing mom and wanting to go home).  However, as the second day goes on, there is a little more arguing or irritability, which usually signals that it's time for someone to go home.  The month of March, in a school year, tends to be very similar.  There tends to be more conflicts between friends.  This is nothing out of the ordinary and nothing to be overly concerned about.  It just is the ebb and flow of things.  With that in mind, the focus will be on learning how to be a good friend.  The kindergarten, kindergarten transition, K/1 class and first grade classes will be reading the story Crazy Hair Day and completing a worksheet about the qualities/actions of a good friend.  The 2nd grade classes also will be reading Crazy Hair Day, but they will be doing a socially distanced activity about having many friends according to their likes and dislikes. The 3rd grade students are doing my favorite activity of the year-a friendship escape room!  The students are divided into groups to solve puzzles about friendship.  They have to finish each puzzle successfully in order to move to the next puzzle, gaining clues for the final puzzle as they go.  The students love this activity!  It encourages cooperation and grit.  (I am all about grit!). 

     As always, Please let me know if there is anything that I can do to help you and your family.  I can be reached through email at Kim.bennett@owensborocatholic.org or by calling (270) 684-7583.  I hope that everyone has a meaningful lenten season and then has an amazing Easter and spring break!

      Hello February!  We are moving along in this school year and the kids are doing great!  It has really been a blessing to be working with the younger students.  The kids at the K-3 Campus (for the most part) are still so happy to be in person, in school!  I can't help but wonder how this entire pandemic situation is affecting our students.  While I am sure there will be some negative effects, I am hoping that the positive effects will outway any of the challenges.  We can choose to focus on the great strengths and strides we make or we can wallow in the difficulties.  Let's just say nothing good comes from the later!  I frequently tell the students that there is strength in the struggle.  Their happiness about being at school is one of those positive effects.  Let's hope it stays that way for a little while longer!  

     For the month of February, guidance lessons are focusing on kindness.  In a world where you can be anything, be kind!  Mr. Tinius talks to the students about kindness frequently.  With the Valentines Day holiday, it seems only fitting to be focusing on this characteristic.  The kindergarten class, kindergarten transition class, K/1 class and the first grade classes will be reading two different books.  The first is Recess Queen, by Alexis O'Neill.  This is a story about a young lady who dominates the playground.  She gives us a great role model of how NOT to be when we play with others.  While reading the book, we will be folding and wrinkling a large paper heart to show how being unkind hurts others.  The next book, Be Kind, by Pat Zietlow,  gives us wonderful examples of how to be kind to others. The students will then make heart band aides to put on the wrinkled heart to make it feel better.  I have done a similar activities with classes in previous years.  It was a powerful and meaningful activity that students remembered.

      The second grade class will be watching a "Kid President" video called "How to Change the World."  I will include the link to the video below.  Head on over to Youtube and watch it. You won't be disappointed!  The students will then be making a snow man craft that will help them think of ways that they can be kind to others.  Hopefully, they will get inspiration from "Kid President!"

     The third grade students will watch the same "Kid President" video.  They will be working on a 3-Way Agamograph Collaboration Poster.  Each student will have a "tile" to color.  When all the "tiles" are colored, they will be pieced together to make a large poster.  It will be 3 different images spliced together.  From one direction it will read "In a world," while the center view will say ""where you can be anything."  Finally, the other side will say"be kind."  I can't wait to see them all pieced together making these awesome pictures.  We might just talk about cooperation during the process!

     Here is the link to the Kid President video.  These videos are so cute and inspirational.  https://youtu.be/4z7gDsSKUmU

     As always, please let me know if there is anything that I can do to help you or your family.  I can be reachers through email at Kim.bennett@owensborocatholic.org or by calling (270)-684-7583.   

      This phrase just may have more meaning and emphasis than ever before!  I hope that everyone has had a wonderful beginning to the new year, as well as having a wonderful Christmas break.  Even though somethings have not changed, this is the fresh start to a new year.  A mantra that I am trying to keep in the forefront of my thoughts is the following: "I may not be able to control the world around me but I can control how I react to the world."  In that control, I am working hard to choose gratitude and joy!  So many of my devotionals have recently talked about God wanting you to reach for your dreams and succeed at achieving them.  So again, I am choosing gratitude and joy, and that is my response to this world! 

     So what are we doing in guidance this month?  It's all about feelings!  Different types of feelings, how can you tell what a person is feeling, feelings are not good or bad, how you react to a feeling can determine whether or not you get in trouble and much more.  It's all the things about feelings, with a little winter theme sprinkled on top!  The kindergarten and first grade classes are discussing various feeling by looking at the facial expressions on some penguin and snowman friends and then practicing drawing those feelings on snowmen.  The second grade and third grades are discussing the various facial expressions on snowmen and then doing some feelings identification boom cards on the Chromebooks.  My goal is to help them in identifying the feelings of others as well as themselves.

   This blog is short and sweet but I do want to leave you with a prayer that I love for this time of year.

May the Lord bless you and keep you;

May the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you;

May the Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace.

Numbers 6:24-26

     As always, please let mew know if I can be of help to you and your family.  I can be reached at kim.bennett@owensborocatholic.org or by calling (270)684-7583.

     Hello December, as the year of weird comes to an end.  We are certainly not where we want to be, in many situations.  I'm sure those situations vary from person to person.  It could be health, employment, school and the holidays just to name a few.  I think it's pretty safe to say that this pandemic has touched every part of our lives.  I am trying to be hopeful and think of the positives situations that have occurred since this entire mess began.  Several people have talked about how the pandemic has increased our time spent with family, which I hope has been a good thing.  It has made us slow down and take a break from the world of run, run, run unless your are in the medical field!  Hats off to all those in that field who have been running a marathon with no end in sight!  Here's another thought to ponder: I am glad that this pandemic happened in the year 2020 and not in 1980, when there was no internet (that we knew of anyway!).  Education would have been an even bigger challenge.  Can you image getting all your children's lessons by snail mail?  Also, working from home would not have been an option for many types of jobs, meaning that several businesses would have shut down completely.  Don't get me wrong,  I am not thankful for the actual pandemic.  I am thankful for some of the results of the pandemic.

     It is very interesting to me that we are faced with the pandemic, while going through the season of Advent.  Advent is a time of preparation and anticipation.  Could the words Advent and pandemic be switched in that previous sentence?  It would read as "The pandemic is a time of preparation and anticipation."  I think they could be switched.  We hear a lot about patience during Advent, as we learn to prepare and wait.  So I choose to think about the preparations for Advent.  By diving into ways that can build our relationship with God, the season we are in seems more bearable and worthwhile.  The line from the original Star Wars movie repeatedly comes to mind: " Almost there, almost there."  Hang on to your faith, or as I say, "Tie a knot at the end of the rope and hang on."  God is that knot.  This is easier said than done at times so don't go it alone.  Reach out to your family and friends.  Another positive from the pandemic is people helping other people.  Take care of your self, which may mean something as small as a 5 minute walk or a quick journal entry.  Focus on the Advent preparations.  My favorite is the Dynamic Catholic devotions.  Here is that link: https://www.dynamiccatholic.com/best-advent-ever.html  I'm sure your church has other Advent resources, and there are endless possibilities when you search Advent activities on Pinterest.  Although Christmas will look very different this year, Jesus' birth and His promise to us has not changed, not even the tiniest bit!

      On the education side of things, we are moving along with adaptations in education.  If your child/children are struggling, please let us know.  I can arrange zoom meetings with students/families if they want to talk.  Obviously there are no guidance classes this month, but I am still available to help.  The best way to reach me is through email: kim.bennett@owensborocatholic.org  or you can call (270)-684-7583.  

      I hope everyone experiences a beautiful season of Advent, a Merry Christmas, a Happy New Year and stays healthy!

      I am so excited to teach the guidance lessons this month!  They are all focused on gratitude, a subject about which I am passionate and trying to incorporate into every aspect of my life.  Gratitude is mentioned in the Bible 173 times, and there are countless studies showing the positive outcomes of having a attitude of gratitude.  When someone has a grateful heart,  kindness and joy will follow.  With so much turmoil in the world today, I think a little kindness and joy could be refreshing for the soul!  It is so easy to complain.  I know.  There have been countless times that I have complained.  It just rolls off your tongue so easily, as does the negative feelings that follow.  When everything shut down back in March, the Bennett household had to have a serious conversation about attitude and what their choices would be.  We could complain which always led to discontent, sadness, anger or frustration.  Or we could be thankful for what we did have because while were were inconvenienced, we did not have it nearly as bad as a lot of people.  My kids really thought I had lost my mind when I asked them to say what they were grateful for, while we were eating dinner, at the dinner table!  (It was like an out of body experience!  Who were these people eating at the dinner table voicing their gratitude?)  Yet from that point, attitudes did slowly start to change.  I'm a firm believer that gratitude is a game changer.  Does that mean I am always the poster child for gratitude?  Nope, but I do practice and that is a step in the right direction!  Here is a post that discusses the importance of teaching our kids gratitude and ways to do it.  https://www.mindfulmazing.com/the-best-gratitude-activities-for-kids/. 

     In November each grade level will have a lesson on gratitude.  The kindergarten students will participate in a presentation explaining what gratitude looks and sounds like.  They will also play a game about gratitude.  The first grade classes also will participate in the same gratitude presentation and complete a worksheet identifying three people they are thankful for, two things they are thankful for and one way they show gratitude.  The second grade classes will be completing a gratitude flip book and watch a Kid President video about gratitude.  The third grade classes also will watch the same video but will be completing a "grateful gobbler" project that uses the letters in their names to determine for what they are grateful.  

     I hope that everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday!  As always, if you need any assistance, I can be reached through email: Kim.bennett@owensborocatholic.org or by calling (270) 684-7583.

     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!

 

      Welcome to the 2020-2021 School Year!

     Hello to all the returning students and families and welcome to all the new students and families to the Owensboro Catholic School K-3 Campus! This is going to be one school year to remember!  Let me take a quick moment to introduce myself.  My name is Kim Bennett, and I am the counselor at the K-3 Campus. This is my 9th year as the counselor with the Owensboro Catholic School System. Prior to this position, I was a school based counselor/art therapist with River Valley Behavioral Health for 14 years. I have been married to Dan Bennett for 23 years and I’m the proud mom to four children ranging in age from 13 to 21 years old. As the counselor I teach monthly social-emotional lessons in the classroom.  I also work with students individually and in group settings.  I was recently trained in the Love and Logic method for parenting and hope to host monthly parenting groups utilizing this curriculum.  I also do monthly blogs (sometimes bi-monthly) describing the guidance lessons for the month and offering suggestions or extra links to articles that I hope will help parents. Guidance lessons will begin sometime in September so the focus of this blog is adjusting to the new school year.

     As mentioned before, this school year will be like none other! As we all get ready for the first official day of the school year, here are some suggestions for a smooth start!

     *ROUTINE, routine, routine!  In any school year, pandemic or no pandemic, it is so important and beneficial to have a routine in place.  It’s best to begin practicing that routine before the school year actually begins. If you have done that, then you are ahead of the game. If you haven’t, it’s never too late to start! (Unless you are starting really late, like the last week of school late!).  Kids needs routine. It can ease anxiety and help establish trust.

     *Your child will follow your cue on wearing masks. In other words, if you make a big deal of wearing them then so will they.  Kids are smart and pick up on almost all our behaviors.  If you put a positive spin on the situation, then they will also!  For the most part, kids also easily adapt.  While wearing masks can very a hot topic, it doesn't have to be for kids, especially if we put a fun spin on it.

     *Model patience and grace. Now I know that saying this is so much easier than doing it.  I get it!   If I had a $1.00 for every time I had lost my patience in front of my kids, I would probably be able to send us all to Disney World for the week.  With that said, things will go so much smoother if we can all have just a little more patience and offer more grace and mercy.  These are new waters we are exploring.  I have said many times that we are living in a sci-fi movie and we are writing the history books as we speak.  A little more patience and grace will go a very long way with our students and be helpful to all the adults as well. Many many school experiences are going to be a little different from previous years.  One huge difference parents will notice is the drop off and pick up system.  Please be patient as we iron out all the kinks and get the school year running.  Please also remember that the guidelines set in place are there for everyone's safety and well being.  We want everyone to stay healthy!

     *Approach conflicts and concerning situations with a team approach. Your child’s teacher is there for you and they want to help. They want your child to have a wonderful year.  If any problems arise, talk to them about it.  Open communication is essential and beneficial.

     *Be open about your feelings, but not too open.  I know this sounds contradicting, but hear me out.  It's important to acknowledge how a student is feeling and not just dismiss any feelings they may be having.  But it is also important to build them up as well.  Nervous about that first day?  That's ok!  Acknowledge that, but also offer encouragement that they can handle this situation (even though you may be scared, nervous, uneasy, etc.)  This helps establish a growth mindset, which is a topic I love and will be talking about more, later in the year.  One area that may cause a little anxiety for some will be the drop off guidelines.  Parents/grandparents can walk the students in for the first three days of school, but after that time the students will need to be dropped off in the car rider line.  This may be difficult for some families.  But please know that most children who are tearful at drop off time usually settling very quickly (like before the parent leaves the parking lot quick!).  If you have any questions about how your child is doing, feel free to contact me and I will do my best to check on them.  We want the parents to feel comfortable with this process, as well.  

     I hope these few suggestions will help.  It is not an understatement when I say that your child's teacher is so excited to be here and for a new school year!  We plan on having an amazing school year!  If I can be of any help or assistance, please feel free to reach out.  I want to help in what ever way I can.  I can be reached through email, at kim.bennett@owensborocatholic.org or through calling the front office at (270) 684-7583.  I can also be reached through the OCS website.  By clicking on the following link, you can submit a form for assistance:  https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdGkEeGfO7y-DO138HQHqRrmMClozyr9N6KZjK8Sj0yccjw9A/viewform?vc=0&c=0&w=1 

Happy New School Year!

 

     Back to School: Prayer for the Start of a New Year

Loving God,

Our Creator, our Savior, our companion,

bless this journey of a new school year that we undertake today.

Refresh our souls

and renew our spirits

as we embrace the beautiful ministry you have called us to.

We welcome those who are new to this community and 

ask that you strengthen them to share the wonderful gifts you have given

them.

Lord, make our hearts pure as we prepare for the return of students to this school,

and may you guide them to return with open hearts and minds eager to learn.

We ask this in Your name,

Amen

    

     Ok, raise your hand if you quietly cried (or maybe loudly for all to hear) when you found out that we were not going back to school until May 4th.  (I am raising my hand; I quietly cried.)  Folks, this is like nothing were have ever experienced before!  And hopefully will never experience again.  Let's be honest-non-traditional instruction (NTI) is hard.  It's hard for the students.  It's hard for the parents.  It's hard for the teachers.  This is a difficult and trying situation for all parties involved, on many levels.  I have four kids at home, 13 to 21.  They each have said, "I hate this!"  "I want to go back to school!"  "I miss my friends!"  "I can't learn like this!"  However, this is the new norm.  We have had discussions about choosing to fuss and argue or try to make the best of this situation.  Throughout this time, I have been looking at various resources and listening to podcasts that could help in this situation.  The reality is that there are no resources that have said, "This is what you do during a pandemic that has closed schools and businesses."  There are no posts or studies that tell us what to expect as a result of social distancing, regarding child development.  So basically, we are writing history with each day that passes.  We are always writing history, but this is one that will be in history books and medical studies.   So what do we do?
      My friends, I only have suggestions for what we can do.  I can tell you what works for me and has seemed to help my family.  Sometimes these things work and sometimes they don't.  Some of these things I actually do.  Some of these things I try to do.  And some of these things I would like to try to do.  So here's some suggestions.
     *Find gratitude.   It is really hard to be pessimistic and depressed when you can be thankful for something.  One thing that I have been doing since the beginning of this school year is writing down three things I am grateful for, everyday.  I usually do this first thing in the morning, with a bible devotional.  It has really helped during this difficult time.  It's actually a real game changer!   Sometimes it is something very small, such as the smile I saw on a child's face.  Even with that, I am finding a positive which helps me stay  positive.  (I stumbled upon that little gem from a podcast I began listening to last summer.)
     *Limit the news intake.  I don't know about you guys, but my heart rate rises as I read or watch the  news.  In case you haven't noticed, news stations and websites always steer toward doom and gloom. What would things be like if each news broadcast started out with something positive, such as four people were released from the hospital because their symptoms improved so much that they no longer needed medical care from a hospital?  I have noticed that Facebook and Instagram have been quite uplifting lately, at least my feeds have been.  If someone is being negative, snooze them for 30 days.  We need positivity.  Not arguments.
    That brings me to the next point.  Grace, which can be defined as courteous goodwill.  We need to give ourselves grace and as well as grace for others.  There are some things that we are going to mess up.  That's ok.   We are all trying our best and sometimes that "best" falls short.  Learn from your mistakes and move on.  Another podcast that I have been listening to lately has talked about not just surviving right now, but living the best life we can right now.  Surviving is making it through the moment, the hour, the day.  There are times when we need to switch into that mode.  Hopefully, we are not all in that mode.  Let's ty to live the best life we can right now.  Do the best you can, be gracious and merciful.
     *Please don't compare yourself to your best pal who is "nailing" this NTI situation.  That landscape is going to look very different, home to home.  What may work for some, may not work for others-again "THAT'S OK."  If you work from home all day and can only do school work at night, then that's what you have to do.  If you are able to tackle work first hits in the morning, then go for it!  (One helpful hint from Dr. Charles Fay, creator of Love and Logic, is to give children choices regarding their work.  An example would be, "Would you rather star on your work in the next 30 minutes or the next 25 minutes?").  Figure out what works for you and go with it until it doesn't work anymore. Readjust and start again.
     *Invest in some self care.  Obviously, get a massage or a mani/pedi at the salon is not an option.  Having guys friends over to hide out in the man cave to watch the very few sporting events that are still going on is not an option.  But find that thing that helps you.  That could be taking a long hot bath or a good long run (the Green Belt is still open, as I type this).  It could be reading a book or five minutes locked in the bathroom, with some hidden cookies (as the commercial goes).  Take care or yourself, as best you can.
     *Just because you're home doesn't mean you should stay in your pj's all day and shower every third or fourth day.  It also doesn't mean that you have to dress to the nine's either, but find some comfortable clothes to change into in the mornings.  Do your hair, makeup or shave if you want to, but don't let it all go to the dogs just because you're not leaving the house.  Not doing my makeup every day is kind of refreshing!  (There is some of that gratitude!)
     Take care of your mental health.  This is a crazy time and emotions are all over the place.  That doesn't mean that you are clinically depressed or clinically anxious.  That means you're human.  People may be sad for all the events going on in the world.  People may be angry because of this drastic change in their lifestyle.  People may be grieving for the very same reason.  Life as we know it has ceased to exist.   There are people who can help.  Mental health professionals are still working very hard through Telehealth sessions.  There are hotlines available.  Here is a link to a mental health resource page on the Owensboro Catholic website.  https://docs.google.com/document/d/1KealLWsepOuauAjFy5YiZgZqsClj2yye5oo-e6Z_Zb8/edit
      As always, please let me know if I can help in any way.  I can be reached through email: kim.bennett@owensborocatholic.org or through filling our a request form at this link  https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdGkEeGfO7y-DO138HQHqRrmMClozyr9N6KZjK8Sj0yccjw9A/viewform?vc=0&c=0&w=1 or I can be messaged on the Seesaw app.  My prayers are with all of you as we make it through this crazy and trying time.

   

     Hello everyone!  This blog is not going to be long, but I wanted to reach out to everyone since it looks like we are going to be doing nontraditional instruction for a while.  I miss seeing all the kids and having them in guidance class.  Please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers.  I have created a google form that anyone can fill out, if they would like to talk with me or if your child would like to talk to me.  It is available to everyone through the OCS web page, under the K-3 Campus Counselor page.  I will put the link here as well: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdGkEeGfO7y-DO138HQHqRrmMClozyr9N6KZjK8Sj0yccjw9A/viewform
     The world has changed so drastically in the last week!  Our daily routines are so unlike what we have been used to doing.  I am trying to figure out ways to get families the resources that they may need to navigate this time of uncertainty.  I have lots of resources addressing coping skills for worrying and anxiety.  (Some of these skills we have covered in this year's guidance lessons.)  However, with all of the emails you are already receiving regarding instruction, I don't want to unnecessarily add to anyone's already stressful situation.  Please know that I am available to help.  If you would like for me to give you a call, please fill out the google form and I will contact you as soon as possible.  I am also available through email: kim.bennett@owensborocatholic.org  Please don't hesitate to contact me if you need help.  Again my prayers are with all of you. -Mrs. Kim

 

     With the craziness of everything going on in the world, I wanted to reach out and offer support in the best way I know how, given the circumstances.  In the world of guidance counselors and school counselors, there has been much discussion as to how we can help.  I am going to link some resources that may be helpful.  The students are going to have questions at some point.  I feel like the age of your child should be a key factor in how the topic is approached.  I just want to highlight some observations that I have experienced in my 21 years of working with children.   These are just my observations and not quotes from studies, psychiatrists or psychologists-just my experiences.
     *  Kids will ask questions when they are not given enough explanation.  Start with the minimum information.  If they don't understand, they will ask.  It's better to start with not enough than too much.  You can always add to the information.  You can't erase it if too much is given.  Too much information can cause anxiety about the situation.  There are some things their brains just cannot understand no matter how hard you try to explain.  Given the uncertainty of the current situation, less may be best.
     *  It's ok that they not know all the details.  There have been many times that I have run into the situation where one child is VERY knowledgeable on a current event and then there are other students who have been blissfully shielded form the same situation.  What frequently happens is that the knowledgeable ones "educate" the shielded ones, leaving lots of questions.  (I have done this with my own kids.  It only took a couple of times to realize that it rarely ends well.  I also quickly learned that telling your child not to say anything to other kids rarely works.)  Kids struggle with what to say and what not to say, as I'm sure you have experienced first hand (birthdays are always fun times in this arena!  Think of the times you were told you were old or you looked 10 years older than your actual age.) Everyone is different and that is something to take into consideration.
     *Specifically related to this situation, I encourage everyone to keep a social distance from each other.   My own children groaned when I told them this was not going to be a time of sleepovers and hanging out "just cause."  One of them made a statement to the effect of, "Of course you are going to be 'one of those parents."  (See, you won't be alone in that group!)  Yes it will be very hard to keep them occupied but think of the alternative-an actual quarantine at home or worse yet a hospital.  No one complains about being over prepared, as my fitness instructor has said.  Please play it on the safe side and limit this as much as possible.  You know its being taken very seriously if our own bishop is suspending the obligation to attend mass on Sundays until further notice.
                                  ( https://owensborodiocese.org/covid-2019/ )   
     Here is handout from Counselor Keri, the creator of  many of the lessons I use with the students in the guidance classes.  She also has a blog under the same name that gives lots of resources for anxiety, worry and self regulation.  These are under copyright of Counselor Keri.  She has given us permission to share them digitally.  

   






     Julia Cook, a children's author has wrote a story, which she had her students illustrate.  It has not been published yet but she did record herself reading it and posted it on YouTube.  Julia Cook has written It's Hard To Be a Verb, My Mouth Is a Volcano and It's Not My Fault.  She is a former teacher and School guidance counselor.  I have used several of her books when working with students.  Here is the YouTube link to her story called, The Yucky Bug.  
                            https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZD9KNhmOCV4 
     Here is a resource that lists various learning websites.  These may be beneficial to help them practice skills they have already learn and keep them busy for a while longer.  (Hey-that's a win-win!)  I have noticed that Facebook has several posts that include more websites, such as some of the larger zoos doing live presentations at certain times of the day.

     Should I come across any other resources that could be beneficial, I will create another blog, with the links.  Also, please let me know if there is anything that I can do to help the students or you.  I will be checking my email frequently (kim.bennett@owensborocatholic.org).  I do check the SeeSaw app but not as frequently as my email.  Please let us know if someone does get sick.  Prayer is very powerful.  You will have one amazing set of teachers and staff storming heaven!  Hopefully, this will pass quickly and we will see everyone on April 6th! God bless and stay well!

  


    Here's to February and March is not far behind!  Things can seem pretty boring in the month of February, but a consistent schedule is very good for the students and the learning process.  There are some exciting things happening with the counseling program!  Ms. Anderson and I hosted the first "Coffee With the Counselors" parenting group.  There was a great turn out, and we feel it was a great success.  Our next meeting will be on February 21st, at the K-3 Campus, in the conference room, which is located in the building beside the entrance to the gym.  Parents will not need to sign in at the office but can go directly to the conference room.  In our last session, Krystal and Debbie talked about ways to avoid arguments and power struggles with children and helping children take responsibility and learn form their mistakes.  Our next session will cover teaching responsibility without losing love and using empathy when kids make mistakes.  These sessions are free and open to any parent/guardian of a student enrolled in the Owensboro Catholic School system, kindergarten through 12th grade.  There will be another "Coffee with the Counselors" parent meeting, in March.  The date is yet to be determined.   
     Also coming this month will be an internet safety presentation by Officer Courtney Yerington, with the Owensboro Police Department.  Officer Courtney is our D.A.R.E. officer and teaches "Character Counts" at the K-3 Campus.  While the internet can be such an asset, it can also be very dangerous.  Internet safety is the topic of the guidance lessons this month.  With the younger grades, we talk about stranger danger and how that exists in the internet.  We compare the internet to a digital neighborhood and how they should only go to places that are safe for them, only talk to people they know and always ask parents for permission to get on the internet.  The older grades will discuss what personal information is, safe screen names that can be used and practice identifying safe communication on the internet.  To sum it up, we are working on the basic concepts of safety.  The students will also receive an activity book from NetSmartzKids.org, which is website that teaches internet safety through videos and games.  Mrs. Jennifer, the Chromebook lab instructor, sometimes shows the students the videos from this website and lets them play the games, as a reward.  This is a safe website for them to visit at home, as well! 
     I would love to say that we could put our kids in a bubble and protect them from all the dangers when using various devices and the internet but that it not realistic.   They will face it sooner or later in this crazy world.  I am hoping to help build a strong foundation that they will remember and call upon when they are faced with decisions in this digital realm.  It is my hope that they have the tools, confidence and integrity to make the right decision.  Unfortunately, just one swipe of the key or just one click "send" can have life altering consequences.  That is the world in which we live.  I strongly encourage you to attend Officer Courtney's presentation on February 18th, at 6:00.  The presentation will be at Owensboro Catholic High School, in Soenneker Hall.
     In March, guidance lessons will focus on making and keeping friendships.  Kindergarten will read a story called Tattle Tale Tongue and play a game on when to tell and not to tell.  They will also play a game where they decided what are and are not friendly actions.  Kindergarten transition have superhero themed friendship activities as well as some conflict resolution activities to complete.  First grade will be doing friendship centers.  Second grade has a Kahoot game on how to be a friend and will also play a "social filter-what to say and not say" scoot game.   Third grade will complete the friendship escape room.  This is one of my favorite activities of the year, to do.  This lesson not only teaches them about friendship but also puts into action cooperation and teamwork!  Throughout all the lessons we talk about the golden rule-treat others the way you would like to be treated.
      I hope to see you at the upcoming events and as always, please let me know if there is anything that I can do to help your student, you or your family.  I can be reached at (270)684-7583 or at kim.bennett@owensborocatholic.org.

 

    

Prayer for a Happy New Year

May the Lord make my New Year a happy one…
Not by shielding me from sorrow and pain, but by strengthening me to bear it if it comes.
Not by making my path easy, but by making me sturdy enough to tread any path.
Not by taking hardship from me, but by taking all cowardice and fear from my heart as I meet hardships.
Not by granting me unbroken sunshine, but by keeping my face bright even in the shadows.
Not by making my life always pleasant, but by showing me where men and His cause need me most and by making me zealous to be there and to help …
God, make my year a happy one.
—Guideposts magazine (January 1973)

     I hope that everyone had a blessed and peaceful Christmas break, as well as a wonderful start of a new year and new decade!

     There are some exciting things happening in January!  The guidance lessons are focusing on self regulation (a relatively new way of saying coping skills).  All of the classes are learning about identifying personal feelings through physical clues and actions.  We talk about "small feelings" and "big feelings."  Then students learn about ways to cope with various feelings.  The first basic coping skill taught is breathing.  It is referred to as "belly breathing" in a lot of classes.  This involves learning how to take slow, deep breathes to help get oxygen to the brain and calm the mind.  In some of the upper classes we compare the loss of control to "flipping your lid."  Pretend that your thumb is the part of your brain that controls emotions, while the other four fingers are the "thinking part" of the brain.  If you make a fist with your hand, tucking your thumb under the other four fingers, it can demonstrate how the "thinking part" of the brain has control over emotions.  When a person "flips their lid," the four "thinking" fingers rise up, causing the thumb or feelings to be out of control.  As a person takes slow deep breathes, the thinking part of the brain gains control again, resulting in the feelings part of the brain to be controlled as well.  It may be difficult to explain in writing, but when the classes use their hands to demonstrate, it seems to be a very effective way to learn about feelings and coping skills.  The older classes will learn about a larger variety of coping skills, such as journaling, using positive affirmations, coloring and exercising, just to name a few.
     On to an exciting piece of news!  In January, the counselor at the 4-6 Campus, Natalie Anderson, and I will begin a program called Coffee with the Counselors.  We will be meeting once a month to discuss parenting issues.  Krystal Goins and Debbie Crowe will be joining us to teach about the Love and Logic method of parenting.  Here are a few statements, from the Love and Logic website, introducing this style of parenting:

"Raise happy and well-behaved kids with positive, loving tools

The Love and Logic approach to parenting is built around the science of caring and respectful relationships.  An authentic, loving connection between parents and their children forms the foundation of good behavior and healthy decision-making.

Sounds easy enough but never before in history have parents been faced with so many challenges! Our approach provides a variety of simple and effective strategies for parenting children from birth to adulthood. Whether you’re embarking for the first time with your new baby or navigating the turbulent teens with your child, our strategies and techniques will help you create calm and loving solutions."

Please join us for the first presentation.  Both Debbie and Krystal are retired educators from Daviess County Public Schools.  They have been teaching the Love and Logic method for several years and are quite entertaining in their presentation.  I have attended several of their trainings and presentations, which are not only fun and engaging but also full of wonderful techniques for parenting in this day and age.  Coffee with the Counselors is open to any parent or guardian of a student in the Owensboro Catholic Schools, kindergarten through 12th grade.  Our first presentation will be on January 24th, from 11:30 to 12:30, at the K-3 Campus.   Coffee will be provided.  I hope to see you there!  Here is the link to the Love and Logic website if you would like more information on this style of parenting.   https://www.loveandlogic.com/a/info/love-and-logic-parenting

As always, please let me know if you have any questions or concerns.  I can be reached at (270)-684-7583 or at kim.bennett@owensborocatholic.org.

     In a world where you can be anything, be kind.  We are continuing to focus on acts of kindness during the month of December.  The Kindness Rock Garden is almost complete.  This month, we are putting everything we talked about in October, into action.  The students are doing kind acts for each other in their classroom.  The kindergarten and first grade students have "kindness tic-tac-toe boards" that will help encourage them to do kind acts for others.  The second and third grade classes have "kindness bingo boards" to help encourage them to do kind acts.  The students will also be watching for kind acts done for/to them.  When they notice a kind act being done for them, they will write/draw a picture of it on a construction paper chain link that will be collected at the end of the day.  The links will be stapled together to form one chain that will begin in the hallway, by my office.  I am challenging the kids to create a chain that extends from the end of the hallway leading to the gym, to the doors at the end of the kindergarten hallway!
     Students are being encouraged to extend their acts of kindness to other classrooms in our building as well as the larger Owensboro community.  Each class will be making holiday book marks for another class in the building.  During their guidance class, they will color book marks and randomly draw a class in which to give them.   To encourage kindness within the community of Owensboro, each class has "spiritually adopted" an agency/home/mission within our city.  For example, Mrs. Cheri Hayden's class has "spiritually adopted" the Glenmary Sisters.  The students are educated on how each agency helps our community.  They are praying for their agency during their daily rosary and in guidance class the students will be making Christmas cards for their agency.
     The Great Kindness Challenge was developed to be student led, meaning that it would focus on student action.  It was not meant to add to the teachers' or parents' list of things to do.  During the December guidance classes of the past, I have talked with the students about what they can do to help others, that does not rely on a parent donation or a teacher reminder.  It is with much hope that the Great Kindness Challenge encourages the students to take control of what they can do as an individual.   They may not have the resources to give as parents and other adults can, but they can pray.   Matthew Kelly, who is a motivation speaker for the Catholic faith, speaks often of prayer: how to pray, when to pray, etc.  What a beautiful gift to give and have given to you.  Hopefully, this act of prayer will be one of the many "seeds" planted within your child, that will grow and flourish in years to come.  I remember my 4th grade teacher, Sr. Margaret Joseph, teaching our class to pray whenever we heard the sirens from a fire truck, police car, or ambulance.   I went to St. Pius Tenth Elementary school, which was located on Highway 60 East.  You can imagine how many times we said a Hail Mary when we heard sirens.  To this day, I still say a Hail Mary when I hear sirens.  Think about all the situations when prayer is the only action we can take.  My hopes is that activities like this will encourage our children to turn to prayer, in everything they do.  So ask your child about their kind acts and kind acts done for them.  Ask them about the spiritual adoption of an agency.  Hopefully, they will have lots to say!
     Speaking of Matthew Kelly, I am including the link for his advent program.  By signing up, you will receive a daily email containing a video that focuses on the season of Advent.  His programs often give suggestions on small daily actions that draws us closer to God.  The theme for his advent program this year is "Amazing Possibilities."  https://dynamiccatholic.com/best-advent-ever
      I hope that everyone enjoys the month of December.  Try not to get lost in all the hustle and bustle.  Please remember that it's ok if you don't have that picture perfect Pinterest Christmas.  Remember the real meaning of the advent and Christmas seasons.  As always, please let me know if there is any way that I can help you.  I can be reached at (270) 684-7583 or through email at kim.bennett@owensborocatholic.org
       

     Halloween is almost hear and Thanksgiving is fast approaching!  I hope everyone had a great fall break, with lots of rest and fun!  There are lots of exciting things going on at the K-3 Campus.  We started the second quarter with Retro Bill, who talked to the students about being kind to each other.  This was a great presentation, as he incorporated Christianity into his talk several times.  That Monday ended with the Boosterthon pep rally.  The students have been so excited about this program.  Jumpin' John incorporates many character traits we discuss in guidance class, into his daily visits to the classroom.
     We have a lot going on in guidance class this month and in November.  In October, the students are painting rocks to make a "Kindness Rock Garden," thanks to a student leadership grant we received from the Marilyn and William Young Foundation.  We are utilizing this grant to improve the area between the library and art modular units.  In guidance class, we are reading the book, "Only One You," by Linda Kranz, which is a story of a little fish that is setting out for adventures in the great big world.  Before she leaves, her parents give her words of wisdom to live by.  The book ends by saying, "There's only one you in this great big world.  Make it a better place."  We are stressing the following thought: "In a world were you can be anything, be kind."  The book is illustrated using rocks painted as fish.  After reading the book, the students get to paint their own "fish" which will then go in the rock garden.  It is going to be such a neat space for them to use, when it is completed.
     In November, the students will be learning about feelings.  The kindergarten class will see a power point about a dinosaur named "Cry-ceratops" and identifying different emotions by looking at facial features and body language.  They will then make a booklet about feelings.  The kindergarten transition class will learn about identifying emotions through facial expressions and body language through feelings centers.  First grade students will be playing a jeopardy type game that identifies feelings using facial expressions.  Second grade will be playing a Thanksgiving Day themed feelings bingo, and third grade students will be playing a game that helps them voice their feelings in appropriate ways.  All of the classes will be incorporating the Second Step lessons that teach feeling, as well. 
     Be on the look out for the K-3 Veteran's Day project.  We are hoping to honor all those who served in the United States Armed Forces.  The students and teachers have put a lot of thought and effort into this tribute.  I can't wait for everyone to see it!
     As always, if I can be of any service, please contact me at (270)-684-7583 or through email at kim.bennett@owensborocatholic.org.

     Hello everyone!  Welcome to all our new friends and welcome back to all returning families!  My name is Kim Bennett and I am the school counselor here at the K-3 Campus.  Each month I send out a link to my blog, through the SeeSaw app.  In the blog, I review what each grade level will be doing in my class.  The students come to my classroom once a month for fun and interactive lessons, that I hope they will use now and throughout their lifetimes.  We cover topics like being a good friend, ways to self regulate, being responsible and cooperating with others to name a few.  The lessons are from curriculum provided by Counselor Keri and the Second Steps program.  If you ever have any questions about the lessons, please give me a call or send me an email.  This particular blog will be for both August and September.
     As we get into the second full week of school, everyone should be getting into a groove and finding their routine.  This can be hard to do at first.  Every student and family is different so if your family’s routine is different from a peer’s, that is ok!  What’s important is that you know what is best for your family.  I encourage families to establish a routine that includes homework time and a specific bedtime.  Consistency is the key.  Even if your child does not have homework yet, try to set a routine where they unload that back pack and attend to school items.  Obviously this will look very different for a kindergarten and a third grade student, but the approach can still be similar.  If your child is in kindergarten, teach them how to unload their backpack.  You can walk through it with them until they get the hang of it (and that may take a very long time, which is ok).  By doing this, you are teaching them that homework is important and is not an option.  It is also teaching them responsibility.  But most importantly, you are instilling confidence in them that they can do this task.  I cannot stress enough how important feeling confident is for a child.  Sometimes it may seem and actually be easier for you to do this for them, but such small steps can help contribute to such large gains, later in life.  For some parents it is just hard to let go.  Trust me when I say, “I get that.”  Just this past weekend, my husband and I took our oldest to U of L.  Leaving him there wasn’t the hardest thing I have ever done but it was up there on the list.  Taking your oldest (and maybe your middle and your youngest) to kindergarten or a new school can be just as difficult.  Our very wise art teacher, Mrs. Julie Warren made a great point when we were talking about this very subject.  We are raising our children to grow and spread their wings so they can fly.  But man!  As a parent, watching that happen can be so bittersweet.  Here is an article that might help if you’re struggling with this.  https://bridgechristian.wordpress.com/2016/07/05/putting-the-basket-in-the-water-trusting-god-in-the-next-phase-of-your-childs-life/  Here is a quote from the article:  "There comes a time-many actually-in the lives of our children where we have to put the basket in the water.  We have to let go and trust the plan of the Father."  
     So what are we doing in class this month?  The kindergarten students will be l doing an introduction game and learning about listening skills.  The kindergarten transition class will also play a game about listening skills and learn about behaviors that can help them be successful in the classroom.  The first and second grades will be playing games that teach listening skills as well as cooperating with others.  The third grade classes will be doing activities that focus on goal setting for the academic year. 
     Please let me know if there is anything that I can do to help your student or your family.  I can be reached through email kim.bennett@owensborocatholic.org or at (270) 684-7583.

    
     

     As we continue in the season of Lent, I can't help but feel a little excited, maybe because of the warm weather!  This is one of my favorite times of the year!  Easter is coming soon!  I have always thought that Christmas is great, but Easter is even better!  Christmas is just the beginning of the story.  Without Easter, without Jesus dying for us on the cross and rising from the dead, Christmas would be the equivalent of "Once upon a time......" with nothing following it.  The Paschal Triduum is such a sorrowful time wheen we remember all the horrible things that Jesus experienced on this Earth.  But it was all done with love and mercy for us.  For me.  For you.  As the song goes, "What wondrous love is this."  I hope everyone has a Blessed Easter and can experience the love and mercy that was given to us.
      "What do you want to be when you grow up?"  We have all asked this question and have been asked this question.  April's lessons will focus on careers.  The lessons will introduce them to many different careers.  The older students will learn how personal preferences effect the career a person can choose.  I have not covered this topic before, but there are some great lessons planned for the students.  The third grade students will have an interactive power point that asks them to choose from six different activities, with each activity being color coded.  For instance if a person prefers learning about math equations, then that student will go to the red center.  They will be asked to do this through ten different slides.  After going through all the slides they will decide which color they chose the most and then go to that color/area.  From there they will learn about the specific career cluster they chose, including the various careers in that cluster.  For example, Business Services is one career cluster that lists the following careers: entrepreneur, delivery driver, chef, bank clerk, accountant and sales agent.  Each career poster lists the daily tasks, work place, tools, skills, work values and education that is related to that specific career.  The second grade students will be doing a similar activity where they have to choose their preference of activities, as indicated by the interactive power point.  Their activity also is color coded.  At the end of the power point they have to determine which color they have the most and then return to that color/area.  They will then be asked to solve the following problem: "Your class is needing supplies (pencils, books, crayons, etc.)  In your group, create a plan for how you could the get the supplies needed." They will then develop a plan from the mindset of the career cluster, in which they were placed.  An example would be a gardener from the agricultural sciences career cluster, could sell plants to raise money for the supplies.  The first grade students will watch a "Safari Career Day" power point and discuss various skills and interests of the careers in the story.  They will then think of their own interest, skills and possible career choices.  The kindergarten transition class is watching a power point about careers and then playing a go fish game or a dominoes game that is career focused.  The kindergarten classes are doing centers that focus on community helpers and safe/healthy choices.
     In putting all of the lesson's together, I did a little research about careers.  Having once seen a video called "Shift Happens," several years ago, I googled "Shift Happens 2019."  The video for 2018 popped up.  Here is the link if you have a moment to watch.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TwtS6Jy3ll8   It is fascinating.  The video talks about how fast our world is changing in regards to information, education and careers.  Here are some of the quotes form the video:
     -Many of today's most in-demand jobs didn't exist 10 years ago.
     -Researchers predict that 65% of today's grade schoolers will hold jobs that don't yet exist.
This one is mind boggling:
     We are currently preparing students for jobs that don't yet exist using technologies that haven't been invented, in order to solve problems we don't even know are problems yet!

     I'm not certain of the fact checks on the videos, but the video is intriguing and can get a person thinking about what is coming or could possibly occur.  Hopefully some of the concepts I teach in the guidance classes will still be helpful for students as they grow!
     As always, please let me know if I can be of any assistance or can help in any way.  (270) 684-7583 or kim.bennett@owensboro catholic.org
                                           I hope you have a very blessed and happy Easter!

    

      “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.”  This reading from the gospel of Matthew goes on to say, “If anyone cause one of these little ones-those who believe in me, to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.”  This bible verse comes to mind as we, as parents, teachers and staff are faced with a newest fad to race through the internet.  I am talking about the Momo challenge.  This new challenge is like a bad car wreck, in some aspects.  You know you shouldn’t be looking at it but at the same time you can’t pull your eyes away.  This challenge, that encourages children to do harmful things to themselves (some even cause death), has been around for over a year, but has recently emerged because it is targeting very young children, through YouTube Kids.  The people, who are implanting this message in various internet sites, have circumvented the many parental blocks that can be put in place.  Just imagine the incredible things that could be accomplished by these highly intelligent people creating this hot mess, if they would only put their intelligence toward the good, instead of such evil.  October’s guidance lesson focused on internet safety.  One of the rules that was taught was the following: if you see something that makes you feel scared, sad or unsafe, you should tell a trusted adult.  We discussed that “Uh-oh” feeling that kids can get sometimes, letting them know something is not right.  Should they have that feeling, then they should tell an adult.  On March 1st, I visited the 2nd and 3rd grade classes to remind them of internet safety rules.  I also stressed that should they come across something that specifically tells them not to tell a parent/adult, that they should definitely tell a parent/adult.  We also talked about how they have some power and control in this situation, which was to turn whatever they were watching off.  They do not have to look at it!  And then tell an adult, who can help keep them safe.  Notifying the website may be an option, however keeping them safe on our end of things will have immediate effects.
     On to the guidance lessons for March.  The focus this month is friendship.  The kindergarten students will be playing a game where they have to pay a lot of attention to how they are treating the other students in the class.  First graders are doing friendship centers..  The second grade students have a power point presentation and then play a kahoot game on the iPads.  The third grade students are doing a friendship escape room, which is one of my favorite lessons!   
      We are at the beginning of the Lenten season.  I read a very good article examining what a person should do or give up for Lent.  The article approaches Lent as an invitation that Jesus is sending us.  So often we look at Lent as a dreaded time of year where we go without a lot of our comforts.  However, this article challenges the reader to view the season of Lent a little bit differently.  Here is the link if you want to check it out! www.foxnews.com/opinion/three-questions-to-ask-yourself-before-practicing-lent-this-year
     As always, please let me know if there is anything that I can do to help..  I can be reached at kim.bennett@owenborocatholic.org or (270) 684-7583

     And just like that, we are into February!  Responsibility is the theme for most of the guidance classes this month.  This is such an important pillar for character!  There are so many other characteristics tied to it, as well.  I hope you notice your student making an extra effort to be responsible.  Kindergarten transition will have a power point called, "That's Not My Cape."  They will then play a game reinforcing what they have learned in the power point.  First grade will have a power point from their safari friends that demonstrates the importance of being responsible.  They will then play a game of musical chairs.  Whenever a student is out, they will draw a card and decide whether that card demonstrates a responsible behavior.  Second grade has a power point that lists behaviors that will help a person be responsible.  Then they will play a game where they are divided into 4 teams.  Each team has to decide if the case scenario read aloud in showing responsible behaviors or not.  If the behavior is responsible one student from each team will race to get a pineapple card.  The team with the most cards at the end wins.  Third grade is playing a power point game where they determine responsible behaviors.  Kindergarten is focusing on tattle telling.  We have a dinosaur story to review and then will be playing a game to determine if certain scenarios are a "tell" or "don't tell" situation.
      Teaching our kids to be responsible is an ongoing situation (at least in my home it is.)  As I may have mentioned before, laundry is the usual hot topic when it comes to chores-as in bring your laundry to the laundry room.  I wish I had a dollar for every time that I have said, "If it's not in my laundry room, then it doesn't get washed."  I would be independently wealthy!  My statement doesn't seem to have much meaning until there is an immediate crisis, such as no clean underwear!  There is a phrase that states: "Lack of planning on your part does not constitute an emergency on my part."  Ouch!  That is a rough way to learn a lesson.  Yet there are those kids that will make that mistake over and over.  Yes, I have one of those living in my home.  Sometimes it does seem like I am talking to a concrete wall, but I'm not going to stop because I feel that way.  I hope you don't either.  Here is an article from the Focus on the Family website that gives suggestions for age appropriate chores.  There are some hyper links within the lists that offer suggestions to implement that particular chore.
www.focusonthefamily.com/parenting/parenting-challenges/motivating-kids-to-clean-up/age-appropriate-chores
     As always, please let me know if there is anything that I can do to help.  I can be reached at kim.bennett@owensborocatholic.org or (270)684-7583.