Past Newsletters

Week of September 14, 2020

Welcome to our redesigned newsletter! New look, same stuff!

Strategies for Parents Who Are "Homeschooling"

Parents all over the country are finding themselves in uncharted territory: "homeschooling" during a pandemic. Many are feeling pressure to create an environment similar to the school settings their kids are used to. But here’s the bottom line: this is not normal. We cannot create identical schooling experiences at home when there’s a global pandemic going on while simultaneously working from home and dealing with other life stressors. So if you find yourself frustrated over the resistance or the complete shut downs with homeschooling (which is totally normal by the way), I hope you find these tips helpful and encouraging along the way!

SEL LEssons

What is SEL?

Social and emotional learning (SEL) is the process through which children and adults understand and manage emotions, set and achieve positive goals, feel and show empathy for others, establish and maintain positive relationships, and make responsible decisions.

Elementary School

3rd Grade

Monday, September 14th at [time]- Mrs. Fowler's PAA

Tuesday, September 15th at [time]- Ms. Fleming's PAA

Wednesday, September 16th at 9:00- Small Group Check-in (all 3rd graders invited)

Thursday, September 17th at [time]- Mrs. Snead's PAA

Friday, September 18th at [time]- Mrs. Carey's PAA

*Attendance not required but highly encouraged. Zoom links will be sent via Jupiter & posted in Google Classroom under Classwork!

If you can't attend a live lesson you can watch the static version, here. Please complete the SEL Check-out Form when you're done!

Middle School

6th Grade- 6th grade: Trying New Strategies/By PAA

7th Grade- 7th grade: Learning from Mistakes and Failures/Wednesday September 16th at 8:30am

8th Grade- 8th grade: Who Am I?/Friday September 18th at 8:30am

High School

Purpose: Students consider barriers to effective time management and develop an understanding of strategies that can help them manage their time more effectively.

“Time Savers and Time Wasters”

Let's admit it...it can be difficult and frustrating when there doesn't seem to be enough time to accomplish everything you want to do. Feeling discouraged can lead to ineffective use of time.

Take 10 minutes and read this short story of Luis. Reflect on the three questions at the end of the story and how Luis’s story may relate to you.

Then, on a sheet of paper, draw a line to evenly divide the paper. Label one column “Time Wasters” and the other “Time Savers.” List 3-4 specific time savers and time wasters in your everyday life. Time wasters might include distractions, urges, miss location of material and excuses. Time savers might include writing assignments in one place, prioritizing tasks, breaking down large tasks and scheduling.

And don't forget to complete the "SEL Check-in/out Form" here!

Bullying Prevention

Did you know there are laws in North Carolina that protect students from bullying? Last year, the State developed the See Something, Say Something program to facilitate the reporting of safety concerns to help identify and intervene upon at-risk individuals BEFORE they hurt themselves or others. If you need to report any instances of bullying or other safety concerns, you can submit a tip here.

Elementary

Into the Cloud™ is NCMEC’s flagship online safety product for children ages 10 and under. Using data from actual CyberTipline reports, each episode focuses on a different element of online safety, from strategies for handling cyberbullying to recognizing and reporting unsafe/inappropriate interactions and content. Into the Cloud™ presents important safety information in an age-appropriate and entertaining manner! Connect your child to their content here, or visit Ms. McGarry's Google Classroom!

College & Career planning

Elementary School

Click here to check out Paws in Jobland on CFNC.org!

Middle School

Check out CFNC.org and begin exploring the site! We will work in the website through the year. You will be sent activities per grade to help you begin your career search and make the most of middle school!

High School

Students and parents are encouraged to explore the redesigned CFNC.org website. This is a one stop shop for students and parents to plan for college, apply to colleges, explore careers and sort through resources to pay for college in the state of NC. Planning starts even before high school. Students with CFNC accounts are encouraged to login and click around! Students without CFNC accounts are encouraged to create an account! Go ahead! Explore!

Click here for up-to-date information that colleges, universities, College Board (SAT) and ACT are releasing about COVID-19 and college admissions.

Click here for updated information about virtual college representative visits to FLA.

#Howtodeal

Every week, we will be including tips or tricks for you on how to incorporate self-care into your daily routine! We understand that during our time away from school, it may be a challenge to take care of YOU. So, here you will find some ideas to stay active, healthy, and mentally strong as we cope with this pandemic. Enjoy!

Take a break from screens!

Journal question: How am I getting outside today?

Get some SUN! Go for a run, walk, or bike ride.

Eat a meal outside.

Take a meeting or phone call outside.

Drink your coffee outside.

Plan a COVID-friendly vacation! Camping in the backyard can be fun for any age.