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.