The Monthly Challenge

"I put together a cart that I take out at recess for kids that need guidance but don’t necessarily want to be in the middle of a big game. It has sidewalk chalk and laminated cards with chalk games and ideas; fidget boxes; a big die with kindness questions on it; and a folder with the monthly challenge.

My monthly challenge is a written challenge that the kids can choose to participate in throughout the month. This month is a friendship Bingo sheet (find someone who has the same birth month as you, etc). They have the whole month to finish it and can turn it in to me for a prize when they finish.

Both these things have been a huge hit at recess!"

Jr. Hope Squad Retreat Schedule

• • 12:00pm Welcome and distribution of T-shirts/hoodies, take individual pictures with posters for the Hope Squad Wall at school

  • 12:30pm Lunch (outside at the park)

  • 1:00pm Get to know you games (Minute to Win-It, Headbandz game)

  • 1:30pm (Inside) Review Jr. Hope Squad rules, expectations, & calendar

    • Attendance required at all meetings, notify the presidency member if unable to attend (1 morning and 1 lunch meeting per month)

    • Wear shirts every Wednesday to school

    • Absolutely no bullying or you will be dismissed from Hope Squad, be an example to others and be aware of those around.

  • 2:00pm Lesson 1-What is Hope? Purpose of a Hope Squad, HOPE activity (outside with Otter Pops)

  • 2:45pm Lesson 2-Being a Good Listener, activity (drawing on board) & book

  • 3:30pm Discuss welcoming 1st day of school, discuss August activity (read a story of HOPE explaining Hope Squad and hand out Life Savers), plan September activity (Harvesting Friends?)

  • 4:00pm Dismiss

"Wellness Wednesday" Message and Activities

A weekly "Wellness Wednesday" that includes a message and activites for the students to participate in. Below is an example of a message and some pictures of students engaging in the activites:

• • "Over 30 years ago Stephen R. Covey’s book, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, was published. It remains a best seller today for good reason. The next 7 Wellness Wednesdays will focus on Covey’s 7 Habits. In today’s video, https://youtu.be/UY75FxpEybs we learn about paradigms. 'Paradigms… create the lens through which we see the world… If you want small changes in your life, work on your attitude. But if you want big and primary changes, work on your paradigm.' (Dr. Stephan Covey). We’ll also learn about Habit #1: Being Proactive, focusing and acting on what we can control and influence, instead of what we can’t. Taking responsibility for our life. 'Proactive people recognize they are "response-able.” They don’t blame genetics, circumstances, conditions, or conditioning for their behavior. They know they choose their behavior. Reactive people, on the other hand, are often affected by their physical environment. They find external sources to blame for their behavior. If the weather is good, they feel good. If it isn’t, it affects their attitude and performance, and they blame the weather.' (Franklin Covey)."