Hello Coleman Community!
I am so excited to celebrate Student Mental Health Week this week. As this is the FIRST year that SRCS has ever provided a full-time counselor in each elementary school, it is more important than ever to start the conversation about student mental health. Coleman students belong to a community of strong, brave, resilient elementary-aged children across the world who have endured so many complex events in their short lifetimes. As the adults who support them, we must recognize the impact that these events have had and take their mental health as seriously as we do our own. When I tell people that I am an elementary school counselor, many people ask me, "Really? What do little kids have to be counseled about?" So many people hesitate to accept that our children have needs that impact how they learn and grow, and that these needs need to be met and supported. This motivates me to not only work hard to meet these needs every day, but to advocate and spread the word. Join me in celebrating Student Mental Health Week by checking out the Mental Health and Wellness page of the Coleman School Counseling Website, spreading the word, participating in self care and talking to your kids about the importance of mental health.
Hello Coleman Families! Here are the Social Emotional Learning topics we are working on in each grade this week:
May 9th-13th
Kindergarten: Building Conections with Otter (Slumberkins)
Otter's lesson teaches students about our "Heart Family," and that family is anyone who makes us feel safe and loved. This week we are focusing on Culture and Traditions in our own families and celebrating our differences.
1st Grade: This week in 1st grade we are reading Spaghetti in a Hot Dog Bun, a story about celebrating our differences and treating others with compassion.
2nd Grade: Continuing with Superflex!: Identifying the Unthinkables. This week we are focusing on the Brain Eater!
4th Grade: Decision Making & Impulse Control
In this unit, the 4th graders are learning about making decisions. We discuss what good and bad decisions feel like, how we make them, and why we need to have impulse control to make good decisions.
5th Grade: Community Circle: Compliment, I'm sorry, Thank you...
This week's community circle invites 5th graders to engage with their communities by thanking, complimenting, and apologizing to each other in a safe, authentic setting.
Hello Coleman Families! Here are the Social Emotional Learning topics we are working on in each grade this week:
April 25th-29th
Kindergarten: Building Conections with Otter (Slumberkins)
Otter's lesson teaches students about our "Heart Family," and that family is anyone who makes us feel safe and loved. This week we are focusing on Culture and Traditions in our own families and celebrating our differences.
1st Grade: Rosie's Glasses, a story about how changing our mindset and perspective can make a big difference!
2nd Grade: Continuing with Superflex!: Identifying the Unthinkables
4th Grade: Anxiety & Impulse Control
In this unit, the 4th graders are learning about the feeling of anxiety, how it influences our bodies, brains and choices, and what we can do to manage our anxiety in a healthy way.
5th Grade: Community Circle: What do you do when you're Angry?
This week's community circle invites 5th graders to consider how they react to anger, what happens when they're angry and how they choose to deal with it. This motivates students to have a greater understanding of themselves and their feelings to build self awareness.
Hello Coleman Families! Here are the Social Emotional Learning topics we are working on in each grade this week:
March 28-April 1
Kindergarten: Building Conections with Otter (Slumberkins)
Otter's lesson teaches students about our "Heart Family," and that family is anyone who makes us feel safe and loved.
1st Grade: Listening with my Heart, a story of Self Compassion and Kindness
2nd Grade: Continuing with Superflex!: Flexibility Training with Blocks, Dollhouse, and the Memory game
4th Grade: Anger & Impulse Control
In this unit, the 4th graders are learning about the feeling of anger, how it influences our bodies, brains and choices, and what we can do to feel our anger in a healthy way.
5th Grade: Community Circle: Discomfort
This week's community circle invites 5th graders to discuss what makes them uncomfortable. Learning how to identify those "red flag" moments encourages students to listen to their bodies and make safe decisions.
In light of the recent passing of the Parental Rights in Education bill, otherwise known as the "Don't Say Gay" bill by the Florida Senate, I wanted to express support for all of our LGBTQ+ community members here at Coleman and in the SRCS district. We are a community that values and supports all its members, regardless of gender identity or sexual orientation. If you or your child feel upset by this news and need support, or would like to talk more about developmentally appropriate ways to discuss sexual orientation and gender identity with your children, please reach out to me.
If your child has questions about what they might be hearing on the news or from their peers, here are some helpful resources for talking about these matters with your children. Please know that it is okay to tell them "I don't know" and to not have an answer for everything.
The New York Times: How to Talk to Kids About Ukraine
Little Otter: 7 Tips for Talking about War with Children
KQED: War, Crisis, Tragedy: How to Talk with Kids When the News is Scary
Greater Good Magazine: How to Talk with Kids About Scary News
Common Sense Media: Explaining the News to Our Kids
How to Answer Kids' Hard Questions by Lindsay Braman
There will be no SEL this week in 4th, 5th, and 2nd grade this week due to short Conference days.
Thank you and be well!
Ms. Rocelyn
February 7-March 7, 2022
Hello Coleman Families! Here are the Social Emotional Learning topics we are working on in each grade this month:
Kindergarten: Building Conections with Otter (Slumberkins)
1st Grade: How to Show Love Safely
2nd Grade: Continuing with Superflex!: Superflexible and Rock Brain Moments
4th Grade: Impulse Control (Active Listening)
5th Grade: Community Circle: Problem Solving
Scan the QR code from your phone, or text the word "KIDS" for English or "FAMILIA" for Spanish to the number 21555 (note: message and data rates from mobile providers may apply.)