2019 - 2020
May 1st: Calming Corner and Inner Explorer
This week, we look at ways to create a calming corner or spot right in your home. We also hear from Janice Houlihan, co-founder of Inner Explorer, a mindfulness program we use in our Agawam classrooms. It is now made free for our families! It is a great resource to add to a calming area in your home.
Inner explorer: innerexplorer.org/compass/family_onboarding
Go Zen: https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=go+zen+kids+videos
Go Noodle: https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=go+noodles+for+kids
Cosmic Kids Yoga: https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=cosmic+kids+yoga
May 7th: Google classroom tutorial and using choice with learning menus
This week, we are joined by Stephanie Gendron, Lead Teacher at Granger School, and Vanessa Violette, ELA teacher at AHS. These rockstars show us an elementary and high school version of Google classroom and give us some great tips and tricks on how to easily use them! Also, we talk about learning menus which allow students to have some choice in their academics. And we share some ideas on how to allow teenagers to exert some control with their distance learning experience. Take a look!
Free learning menus K-5:
https://thelimitlessclassroom.com/digital-learning/
https://thisreadingmama.com/independent-activities-choice-board/
May 14: Looking on the Bright Side
This week, we are joined by Sarah Fefer, PBIS Consultant for the Agawam Public Schools. Sarah is a tremendous asset to our district, providing support in the use and implementation of PBIS across the district. In this week's webinar Sarah shares tips and strategies for incorporating positive behavior strategies in your home. We discuss the use of these strategies in the classroom and how to best carry these tips to the home environment.
Resources:
Practiced Routines:
Dr. Meme Hieneman is an expert in Family Based Positive Behavior Support and guides families through a step-by-step process for routine-based interventions.
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLLi08Aejqezrdyq4rTcBUmI63EzBKPNkx
Behavior Response Support Team:
This youtube channel is for the Behavior Response Support Team out of the University of Utah with some amazing colleagues doing great work for teachers and families. They are releasing a series of videos to provide parents with quick tips for behavior support in the home.
The Home and Community PBS Network (HCPBS):
http://www.ci3t.org/covid - matrix and resources for families
Kristen Baran, Behavior Interventionist, Granger, AJHS, Doering, AHS
Amanda Foley, Behavior Interventionist, RPS, James Clark, ECC
Arfoley@agawamed.org
May 21: Upstairs and Downstairs Thinking
This week we discuss the brain and the 2 areas of learning/thinking. The upstairs and downstairs brain impact our daily functioning and how we regulate our emotions. Understanding these are areas of the brain allows us to better support our students. We also discuss the use of the Zones of Regulation along with proactive and reactive strategies.
Resources:
https://momentousinstitute.org/blog/upstairs-and-downstairs-brain
May 28: Grit Kits: Fostering grit through difficult times
Stay tuned for Webinar!
This week we welcome Alyse Roy, Occupational Therapist at James Clark School and AJHS. We explore the idea of "Grit" and how it can drive us through difficulties. Alyse shares her expertise on sensory processing and the use of sensory strategies. We were inspired by Alyse's positive energy and views on "Grit"!
Resources:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H14bBuluwB8
See resources below and Alyse's Grit Kit Video!
Grit Kit Video!
June 5: Taking us into summer...Tips and Challenging Conversations
This week we welcome Kristen Siska, BCBA for the Agawam Public Schools! Together we explore strategies for keeping kids on track throughout the summer. We also take a look at current climate and how to navigate challenging conversations with our students.
Statement from the Superintendent:
Agawam Public Schools “stands firm in our support of the millions of people across our country who believe that we all must be better.”
“Yet despite the complexity of our times, we need to move beyond watching to acting, and we are more committed than ever to working collaboratively with our community- our staff, students, families, and community members- to develop and implement strategies to address inequity, bias, hate, and racism.”
Letter to the Agawam Community from Superintendent of Schools, Steve Lemanski
Resources:
https://campkinda.org/weekly-adventures : free virtual camp with weekly activities
Virtual field trips (museums and aquariums are posting live cams and video tours)
https://www.neaq.org/visit/at-home-events-and-activities/ (New England Aquarium)
https://www.mos.org/mos-at-home-schedule (Museum of Science)
https://www.commonsensemedia.org/blog/15-online-camps-fill-kids-summer-with-learning-adventures
Table Talk: Family Conversations about Current Events
Research shows that dinnertime conversation benefits the health, emotional and academic outcomes for children of all ages.
And these Table Talks can also happen in the car or during a walk!
https://www.adl.org/education/resources/tools-and-strategies/table-talk
CNN SESAME STREET: A Townhall for kids and families!
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1s0lCA3FlulVhK6DFE2d3uYCipc6ApY8Gn2rMwm6fYqw/edit
Movies, shows, apps, and more with diverse characters and with messages about racism:
https://www.commonsensemedia.org/blog/black-history-movies-that-tackle-racism
https://www.commonsensemedia.org/blog/common-sense-media-resources-about-race-and-racism
FREE PARKS AND OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES!
Robinson State Park 428 North St., Feeding Hills, MA 01030
Mitteneague Park 1695 Westfield St, West Springfield, MA 01089
Mount Holyoke Summit House 195 Skinner State Park Rd, Hadley, MA 01035
Mount Tom Reservation 125 Reservation Rd, Holyoke, MA 01040
Chapel Falls Ashfield, MA 01341
Dinosaur Footprints 1099 US-5, Holyoke, MA 01040
Stanley Park 400 Western Ave, Westfield, MA 01085
Granville Gorge Southwick, MA
Quabbin Reservoir 100 Winsor Dam Rd., Belchertown , MA 01007
Bash Bish Falls Falls Road, Mt. Washington, MA 01258
June 12: Supporting Anxiety and Stress at Home
This week we welcome Dr. Patricia Carando, School Psychologist, APS! Together we dive deeper into the topic of anxiety. Dr. Carando helps us to better understand the impact of stress and anxiety and how to identify it. By identifying and managing our stressors in the home we can better implement supportive strategies.
Resources:
Headspace provides strategies for meditation for children here: https://www.headspace.com/meditation/kids.
June 18:
Week 8: Reflecting back and looking ahead with special guests Superintendent of Schools, Mr. Steve Lemanski and Assistant Superintendent, Mrs. Sheila Hoffman
The group takes a look back at past webinars and has an inspiring conversation with special guests!
Resources Recap:
Inner explorer: innerexplorer.org/compass/family_onboarding
Go Zen: https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=go+zen+kids+videos
Go Noodle: https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=go+noodles+for+kids
Cosmic Kids Yoga: https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=cosmic+kids+yoga
Headspace provides strategies for meditation for children here: https://www.headspace.com/meditation/kids.
Summer Programs:
https://campkinda.org/weekly-adventures : free virtual camp with weekly activities
Virtual field trips (museums and aquariums are posting live cams and video tours)
https://www.neaq.org/visit/at-home-events-and-activities/ (New England Aquarium)
https://www.mos.org/mos-at-home-schedule (Museum of Science)
https://www.commonsensemedia.org/blog/15-online-camps-fill-kids-summer-with-learning-adventures