ecole bellevue schoolschool · september 2015 septembre 5103-50 ave. beaumont, alberta t4x 1k4...
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~ Ecole Bellevue SchoolSchool ~ September 2015 septembre
5103-50 Ave. Beaumont, Alberta T4X 1K4
Phone 780-929-8663 Fax 780-929-2168 Web Page: ebs.blackgold.ca
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Principal’s Message
Greetings, The Bellevue staff would like to
welcome all new and returning students and their families to the
2015-2016 school year. We are excited for the year that awaits and
all the wonderful curricular and extracurricular learning opportunities ahead.
We are pleased to add Grade 6 this year and welcome the positive
dynamic that brings to the school community. I encourage parents to be involved
as partners in your child’s learning whether through support at home or
volunteering at the school. All parents are invited to attend our first School Council meeting on
September 21st at 7:00 PM. Also, in an effort to help us improve
and continue to make the school a welcoming place for all, I encourage you to contact myself or your child’s
teacher if ever you have any questions, concerns, or feedback
regarding our school or your child’s learning.
All the best this school year, Patrick Gamache Hutchison
Principal / Directeur École Bellevue School
Be the best you can be page 1 Fais de ton mieux
School Fees
Parents can now pay all of their children’s
school fees through a secure online website.
You can pay with Visa, Visa Debit, MasterCard,
and Interac Online Debit. Please contact the
office if you require assistance with this.
The school fees for the 2015-16 school year are
due by Thursday, October 1, 2015.
The fees for the year are as follows:
Grades 1-6: $60.00
Kindergarten: $110.00
Mild/Moderate funded prekindergarten
students: $110.00
Prekindergarten Community children: $800.00
3rd Floor 1101 - 5th Street
Nisku, Alberta T9E 7N3
Phone 780-955-6025 Fax 780-955-6050
www.blackgold.ca
Traffic Safety
Please use caution on 50 Avenue in front of
the school. Due to construction on the new community center, there is limited parking on the surrounding streets.
Please do not use the staff parking lot as a
drop off and pick up. Please make sure you use the crosswalks at all times as a model for our students.
The drive-through on the east side of the
school is for drive-through drop off and pick up. Do not park your car and do not get out of your car. You must move quickly to let
other motorists access the drive-through.
Please do not park in or block the bus lane at the front of the school.
We do encourage families to walk or ride to school.
We thank you for your support and
assistance in keeping our school and surroundings safe.
Wheeling to School Students bringing scooters, skateboards and
bikes to and from school must walk them when on school grounds. There are lock up
racks next to the school on the northwest side.
September 2015 septembre
Library
Welcome back everyone! The library is
full of new books that I can’t wait to
help your children discover. Library
classes will begin the week of
September 21st.
Just like electronics, books need to be
treated gently. Your children will be
learning how to respect books – please
encourage them in this by ensuring you
have a safe place at home to store the
books and by always sending them in a
plastic bag.
Volunteers are always welcome. Please
contact me in the library if you are
interested.
Mrs. Dyckerhoff
BOOK RULE OF THE MONTH : Treat
your books with the same care as you
would your electronics.
School Supplies & Resources
Please contact Mrs. Gifford at the school or at [email protected] if your
child requires school supplies.
All information will be kept confidential.
Be the best you can be page 2 Fais de ton mieux
Lost & Found
Our lost in found is located in the south center
boot room. Please check it periodically as it
accumulates numerous items.
Voice Mail
Messages can be left on any staff member’s
voice mail. When you call in with a message for
a child, you can be transferred to the teacher’s
voice mail and you can leave a message.
Teachers may not have time to check their voice
mail until after school.
Safety & Security
Before School – The playground and buses are
supervised from the time the buses arrive until
the school bell. Students who arrive prior to
8:25 a.m. should be supervised by the person
bringing them.
After School- Students are not supervised on
the playground after school. If you require
access to the school after hours, please ring the
doorbell at the front of the school.
With the exception of the front doors and the
staff entrance, all school doors are kept locked.
Surveillance cameras are in use in and around
the public areas of the school.
Let your child know where your meeting spot at
the school is.
All students leaving the school during the school
day must be signed out at the office. They must
also be signed in if returning before the end of
the school day.
Communicable Diseases
Please inform the school if your child has
been in contact with any highly
communicable disease such as strep throat,
fifth’s disease, chicken pox, pink eye, etc…
Vacations
We encourage parents to plan family
vacations around the school year
calendar. In the event that parents
choose to take their children out of
school at times other than school
holidays, the onus lies with the parents
to provide educational activities for
their child.
Volunteers & Visitors
A sign-in computer is located in the office.
All volunteers and visitors must stop to
sign in. We request that cell phone use
be avoided when in the school. Please
respect confidentiality when visiting our school.
Be the best you can be page 3 Fais de ton mieux
Absences and Late Arrivals
Please notify the school if your child will be
absent using one of the following options:
Our online reporting option is very easy.
Go to our website and click on the Absence
Reporting Online Form link. (see picture below)
Call the school and leave a message at any time
- 780-929-8663.
If you are e-mailing the teacher, please let the
office know as well.
Counselor’s Corner
Welcome back everyone! We are all looking forward to a wonderful school year. I am Karen Gifford, the School Counselor at Ecole Bellevue School. Each month in
Counselor’s Corner I will be giving you information on student counseling programs that are offered in our school. On the bulletin board and table outside the counseling
office you can always find parent information including information on parenting classes and sessions offered in the area as well as pamphlets focusing on different tips for
parents. This month’s topic: Celebrating Change. Please help yourself. If you are looking for specific information, please call me and I will find some resources to assist you.
During September, I will be visiting the classrooms and talking to the children about my role as Counselor. I will share the many ways I can help children here at Ecole
Bellevue School. We will also talk about the many counseling clubs we offer here at the school. These clubs are once a week, for 30 minutes, during class time. Some examples of the clubs we will offer are:
The Friendship Club - for children who have difficulty making or keeping friends
Anger Management Club - for children who need to learn different ways to handle their anger. Talk Club - for children experiencing change in their lives (divorce, separation,
death) who need support and an opportunity to share their feelings. The Feelings Club is for children who feel some anxiety and need to talk about
these feelings with others.
These helping clubs go for approximately 8-10 weeks each term. Term one is from
October to December. Term two is from January to March and term three is from April to June.
We are excited about our partnerships with the Town of Beaumont who assist us in offering the Changes program and the Home Alone programming to the Grade 4
students. Our RCMP will partner to provide the D.A.R.E program to the Grade 5 students. More information to follow this fall!
If you feel your child would benefit from participating in any of these clubs, please let me know. I see children individually; if your child needs some individual time, I am available. I also know some great psychologists and other family support programs
that may be beneficial to you and your family. If you have any questions or would like more information about the school Counseling program please stop by to see me, call the school or send me an email.
Karen Gifford
Be the best you can be page 4 Fais de ton mieux
Early Dismissal
Starting in October, students will be dismissed at 2:30 p.m. every first
Wednesday of the month.
Please ensure that they are picked up at that time on early dismissal day.
ECS students have no classes on those days.
School Calendar Students in grade 1 – 6 are following
a 5 day calendar. The calendar is available on our website and included in this newsletter.
Kindergarten and prekindergarten students do not follow the 5 day
schedule.
Changes in plans for after school?
A note in the agenda or an e-mail before
school is a good way to let the teacher
know of changes to normal routine.
We ask that you keep in mind that it is
sometimes difficult to give last minute
messages to students.
Lunch
If you are bringing it to school, please
drop it off in the office by 12 noon so that
it is here before the bell rings. Please do
not disrupt the classrooms.
All classes have a recess from 12:05-
12:30 and then eat from 12:30 – 12:53.
Students who go home for lunch should
be back by 12:53. They can enter
through the front doors of the school.
Hot Lunch Program
We are grateful to Genessa Belzile who has
volunteered to be our hot lunch coordinator
again this year. Further information will be sent
home towards October. This program cannot be
run by one person alone. If you are interested in
helping out please contact: Genessa at 780-909-8764.
Nut / Allergy Aware School & Classrooms
Bellevue may have Allergy/Nut Aware classrooms. If
no one in a classroom has a known allergy than that
classroom will not have guidelines for permitted
foods. However, if a student has an allergy, then
his/her classroom is designated as allergy aware. In
Allergy Aware classrooms, students are discouraged
from bringing known allergens to that classroom. A
sign is posted outside the classroom door and
teachers, parents, and students will work together to
develop a reasonable and appropriate plan. Allergy
Free / Nut Free classrooms cannot be guaranteed
because schools cannot ensure that the school is
completely free of allergens. We believe it is best to educate students and not give them a false
sense of security as we may put them at risk due to complacency.
Be the best you can be page 5 Fais de ton mieux
Gymnasium News
M. Pelletier, along with Mrs. Osness, Miss Cayenne, Mme McCallion, and Mrs. Duke will be providing Physical
Education to our students.
Please check your child’s footwear before they leave to ensure it is safe for outdoor or indoor play. Could
you check if your child gymnasium shoes are scuff proof? It would be greatly appreciated. It will save our
custodians many hours of cleaning and also keep our gymnasium floor looking very good and clean.
Thanks to all the parents who have sent in Canadian Tire money. We use it to purchase outdoor
equipment for use by all students. We are happy to accept Canadian Tire money year round.
Program for this month: Playground safety and limits, basic soccer skills, basic football skills, and long
distance running.
We are looking forward to another awesome year! Play safe and stay active!
Be the best you can be page 6 Fais de ton mieux
Physical Education Changing Policy
In an effort to increase student activity time in the gym, reduce student anxieties, and facilitate
supervision, students will not change for P.E. classes. Students are expected to come to school wearing
clothing that allows for safe participation in P.E. classes.
All students are expected to have a set of clean shorts or sweatpants and a t-shirt to keep in their
classroom locker in the event that their clothes are not suitable for active participation in P.E. classes.
Please provide your child with a cloth bag to carry and store their gym clothes.
Students who prefer to change may choose to do so. This may be preferable in our upper elementary
classrooms or during warm weather.
Music Notes
Once again we will continue to highlight music education with fun and meaningful activities in our
wonderful music room. These activities will include learning through games, singing, movement,
instrument playing, centers, using technology such as the Smart Board, iPads and computers. We will
have opportunities to show and share during assemblies, concerts and performances. It’s going to be a fun
filled year!
We love guest musicians in our classroom. If you, or someone you know would like to come in and share
your talents we would love to have you join us. All skill levels are welcome.
Sarah Reves & Christine Ivanc
Music Teachers
Bring a Toonie for Terry!
Terry Fox Walk – School Event!
On Wednesday, September 30th, we will be
participating in the 35th Terry Fox Walk with
the staff and students. The walk will begin at 2:15
pm for MOST classes. (Check with your child’s
teacher.) Please feel free to join us on the walk.
For this event we ask all students to bring at least
one ‘toonie’ donation to support cancer research.
Donations over $20.00 will receive a receipt for tax
purposes if a name and address is included with
the donation.
You may also make a donation online by clicking
on the following link:
http://www.terryfox.org/SchoolRun and search for
Bellevue
We are hoping to raise over one thousand dollars
so please donate; together we can make a
difference in the fight against cancer. Thank you
for your support.
Be the best you can be page 7 Fais de ton mieux
Terry Fox Run
Community Event!
Sunday, September 20, 2015 Four Seasons Park
(Beside the Concession)
Click the link to register for the Beaumont Run today!
www.terryfox.ca/terryfoxrun/beaumont
Registration on site is at 10:30 a.m.
with an 11:00 a.m. start.
There will be a kids 1km fun run as well as a 5km walk, run, ride, roll
event along with a 10km option.
CONTACT INFO Matt Bowkowy
SCHOOL PHOTOS
School photos will be on
Thursday, September 24.
Retakes will be
We encourage you to check out Alberta
Education’s Back to School Toolkit. It is
packed full of important information and
resources to assist students, parents, teachers
and administrators as they prepare for the
2015 - 2016 school year.
Visit the link to learn more:
In English:
http://www.education.alberta.ca/resources/bac
ktoschool.aspx
In French:
http://www.education.alberta.ca/resources/bac
ktoschool/btsfrench.aspx
For more information click here:
Grade 3,4,5 & 6 Online Registration Link
Practice dates:
-Thursday, September 3 -Practice
-Tuesday, September 8 -Practice
-Wednesday, September 9 -Practice
-Tuesday, September 15 -Practice
-Wednesday, September 16 - Harriers Meet at
Laurier Park (Optional, Parents Transport)
-Thursday, September 17 -Practice
-Saturday September 19 - 17th Annual PEACE
HILLS X-COUNTRY MEET (Optional, Parents
Transport)
-Tuesday, September 22 -Practice
-Thursday, September 24 -Practice
-Monday, September 28 -Practice
-Wednesday, September 30 - Running Club Field
Trip to the District Cross-Country Meet (Optional-
School Bus Transport)
- Harriers Meet Millwoods Park (Optional, Parents
Transport)
-Saturday, October 3 - THE BOLE CLASSIC X-
Country Meet (Optional, Parents Transport)
-Monday, October 5 -Practice
-Wednesday October 7 - Harriers Meet at
Hawrelak Park (Optional, Parents Transport)
-Thursday, October 8 - Final Practice
Thank you to Mme McCallion, Mme Savard and
M. Gamache for providing this opportunity to our students.
École Bellevue School Running Club
September 2015 septembre ECOLE BELLEVUE SCHOOL CALENDAR
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
1 2 School
Starts
3
4 5
6 7
No School
Labour
Day
8 9
10 11
12
13 14
15 16 17 18
PD Day
No School
19
20
Beaumont
Terry Fox
21 School
Council
Mtg.
7:00pm
22
23 24
School
Photos
25 26
27 28 29
30 Terry
Fox Walk
October 2015 octobre ECOLE BELLEVUE SCHOOL CALENDAR
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
1 2:30 Early
Dismissal (No
Kindergarten)
1
2 Custodian
Appreciation Day
3
4 5
6 7
8 9 10
11 12
No School
Thanksiving
13
PD Day
No
School
14
15 16 17
18 19
Election
Day
20 21
22 23 24
25 26 27 28 29
30 31
Halloween
ECOLE BELLEVUE SCHOOL
STAFF ~ 2015-2016
Patrick Gamache Hutchison - Principal
Christine Ivanc - Assistant-Principal
Audet, Nicole Grade 2 F.I. McLeod, Leanne Grade 3
Bérubé, Kathy Grade 4 McCart, Louise Grade 5
Basly, Rym Grade 4 F.I. Mohammed, Cheryl Speech Lang. Path.
Brodersen, Amy Grade 5 Nour, Arafo Grade 1 F.I.
Cayenne, Natasha ECS Osness, Laurel Grade 6
Chiesa, Kirsten Prekindergarten Pelletier, Serge Phys. Ed. / Ed. Phys.
Duke, Carlene Grade 6 Rehill, Sarah ECS
Friesen, Lorraine Grade 3 Reves, Sarah Music
Greenhough, Lisa Grade 1 Rollier, Leanne Prekindergarten
Gourley, Melanie ECS French Savard, Annie Inclusion
Gifford, Karen Counselling Sawatzky, Monica Grade 2
Gregor, Elise Grade 2 Schwer, Brenda Grade 4
Jarbeau, Collette Grade 3 F.I. Simard, Sybille Grade 2 F.I.
Kwasnecha, Shelby Speech Lang. Path. Strap, Cheryl Grade 1
Lacroix, Andrée-Anne Grade 1 F.I. Tremblay, Véronique Grade 5 F.I.
Lloyd, Melissa Prekindergarten Weima, Korinne Grade 1
McCallion, Danielle Grade 6 F.I.
Office Staff
Lopez, Rita
Purches, Rachael
LeBlanc, Tamara
Educational Assistants
Bérubé, Yvette
Burgardt, Alice
Daneluik, Darlene
Gabruck, Trich
Madu, Evelyn
Reid, Rose
Board, Melanie
Carpenter, Carrie
Overacker, Angela
Pihrag, Coral
Smith, Maryann
Saaedra, Sidra
Niel, Marlene
Restau, Bev
Custodians
Lozano, Vangie
Lonsway, Susan
Mielczarek, Urszula
Library Clerk
Dyckerhoff, Heather
School Emergency Procedures As you may already know, Black Gold Regional Schools has a District-wide Emergency Response Plan, which would be implemented in the event of a local disaster or school emergency. The primary objective of the plan is to ensure the safety of your child. The Emergency Response Plan is a preparatory measure. Statistics show schools are still among the safest places to be on a day-to-day basis, due to the strong commitment or educators, parents, and communities to their children. Nevertheless, disasters do happen and because of that no community can be complacent in its efforts to make its schools even safer. For this reason we have implemented the Plan, so please do not be alarmed by this precautionary action. Drills Although it’s unlikely that the Emergency Response Plan will need to be fully activated at your child’s school, the possibility still does exist. Therefore, to prepare all members of the school community, including your child, to act on a moment’s notice, we will be conducting emergency practice drills at the school. These drills, which will occur on a periodic basis throughout the year, will cover a variety of circumstances. In addition to practicing the drills, we will also be discussing with the students the appropriate actions to take during a number of emergencies. These drills and accompanying discussions are designed to prepare your child to act quickly and to minimize your child’s fear should an emergency occur. Hold and Secure Hold and Secure is a process used to lock all exit/entrance (exterior) doors of the school when there is an emergency situation in close proximity to the school, outside the school on school grounds and/or unrelated to school. The main objective of the Hold and Secure is to protect students and staff by preventing unwanted individuals from entering the school and keeping the problem outside. Movement is permitted within the building and school activities can continue inside. However, as the problem is outside, no one is allowed in or out of the building until an All-Clear is issued. Lock Down Lock-Down is a process for securing students and staff in designated areas/zone during incidents when there is a threat of violence, where the threat is inside the building or campus and when it may be more dangerous to evacuate than to stay inside. No one is allowed in or out of the building until an All-Clear is issued and doors are unlocked by the Incident Commander and/or police. Communication and Parent-Child Reunion Centre In the event of a local disaster or an emergency, the safety of the people in the school is the main priority. After the immediate emergency has been addressed, and when it is possible to do so, the School Crisis Notification Network (CNN) will provide updates through the school notification system. (This is the same system that sends texts, phone calls and e-mail for student absences.) Other information sources include the www.blackgold.ca website and the Community Hotline phone number 780-979-0980. Please do not call the school in
the event of an emergency or local disaster. School staff will be attending to immediate needs as per the Emergency Response Plan. Be aware that in the event of a Lock-Down or Hold and Secure, no one is allowed in or out of the building until an All-Clear is issued. We recognize that you may be worried and want to be reunited with your child as quickly as possible. However, this system has been established to ensure your child’s safety. You may be jeopardizing your child’s or another child’s safety by not adhering to these procedures. The Emergency Response Plan also incorporates a systematic approach to reuniting children with their parents. The plan identifies two possible sites for the Parent-Child Reunion Centre associated with your child’s school. The first site is located on the school grounds. The second site is located at the School Emergency Evacuation Centre – this location is activated only when the school premises must be evacuated. (In some cases it may be necessary to use an alternate location.) Due to the unpredictable nature of any emergency we will only be able to tell you where the Parent-Child Reunion Centre is located at the time of the emergency. Should it be necessary to activate either of these Parent-Child Reunion Centres you will be notified via the School Crisis Notification Network (CNN) of the location. Reuniting With Your Child In order for us to ensure your child’s safety, it is necessary for us to es tablish some protocol related to picking up your child. Therefore, please be advised of the following guidelines when picking your child from a Parent-Child Reunion Centre: No student will be released unless you or an individual designated on the student's Emergency Information Card arrives to pick up that student. It is critical that you ensure the information on your child’s Emergency Information Card is current. Student verification forms were sent home in September 2015 to ensure accurate information. You will be required to present valid identification. This step is required to protect your child from any unauthorized individuals attempting to pick up your child. The school may be receiving assistance from other schools or outside agencies and therefore, may not know you. You will be required to sign for the release of your child. This is extremely important, as it is our only means of ensuring that all students are accounted for at all times. Please do not just take your child from the centre without signing for their release. Should our normal transportation system be unable to transport your child home, your child will be kept at the centre until such time as you can arrange to pick them up. If you are unable to pick up your child, he/she will be kept at the Parent -Child Reunion Centre until alternate arrangements can be made. Your child will be supervised at all times. Finally, we want you to know that your cooperation in preparing your child and helping us to ensure their safety is greatly appreciated. As always, should you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact the school principal, Patrick Gamache at 780-929-8663 or [email protected].
News from École Bellevue School Council
Welcome to another great year with the École Bellevue School Council! And a special
welcome to all the new parents and their students joining us this year as well.
Our vision is: “To provide input and assistance to the children, school and staff on
program planning, school budget, policy, operations and any other matter pertaining to
the education of the children at École Bellevue School and to assist in developing a well-
informed parent body.”
To help carry out our mission and vision statements, we are a group of parents and/or
guardians with children attending École Bellevue School who meet once a month to
discuss and give input on matters raised at our School Council Meetings. We welcome
fresh perspective, opinions and are always in need of more voices, so please come and
join us. Remember, every parent and/or guardian of a child attending our school is
already a member of École Bellevue School Council!
Some of the events that we are proud to support, year after year, are:
Healthy Holiday
Winter Fun Day
Staff Appreciation Lunch
Sports Day
Please consider joining us at 7:00 p.m. Monday, September 21st in the Learning
Commons (library) for the Annual General Meeting. We will be electing the position of
Vice-Chair and accepting nominations. If you signed up to be your child’s Class Room
Representative we’d appreciate you attending these meetings as a liaison to your child’s
classroom community. This task could be shared by more than one person.
Thanks in advance,
Your 2015-2016 School Council Executive:
Janis Sherman, Chair Andrea Rathburn, Secretary
Vacant, Vice Chair Sacha Knorr, Treasurer
Fundraising Society
The École Bellevue Fundraising Society runs fantastic fundraisers throughout the year.
Last year, many enjoyed the movie nights as well as the other fundraising opportunities
presented to us!!
The École Bellevue Fundraising Society meeting occurs immediately after the School
Council. At the first meeting we will be electing our executive of the Fundraising
Society. You are welcome to attend.
Tips for a healthy school year Each year, parents hear tried-and-true tips for a successful school year, but they bear repeating. Students can start the year off right – and parents can help them – with proven advice for a healthy year that works for every grade. Go to bed early Getting enough sleep is a game changer for students. Health professionals say that sleep affects behavior, mood and academic performance for the more than two-thirds of all children estimated to have a sleep problem. Studies suggest that poor sleepers are more depressed, tired, moody, stressed and irritable and they do poorly in school compared to their rested peers. One study found that students who got Cs, Ds and Fs slept about 25 minutes less per night than students who earned As and Bs. www.humana.com/learning-center/health-and-wellbeing/healthy-living/kids-health Tips for better sleep habits An abrupt transition from long summer days to an early school wake up schedule is difficult. It is important to begin phasing in a school night schedule before summer ends. Move your child’s bedtime up a little each night. Start a few weeks before the first day. Here are some additional tips to help children develop good sleep habits:
Keep a consistent sleep and wake schedule Avoid high-stimulation activities before bed Avoid caffeine in the afternoon and evening Exercise during the day Delay bedtime if not drowsy
For more information, read Sleep Hygiene for Children. www.seattlechildrens.org/pdf/PE1066.pdf Eat for success The right foods can have a big impact on school success, affecting concentration, problem solving, coordination, alertness, creativity and endurance. A study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that skipping breakfast can result in lower academic performance. http://bit.ly/1C9WgNo Cereal isn’t the only breakfast option. Healthy choices include half a whole grain bagel with peanut butter and raisins; low-fat yogurt and toast; scrambled eggs with shredded cheese and salsa. Good choices contain protein, low fat and low sugar. Pick the right backpack For many adults, back pain can be traced to childhood and heavy backpack burdens. Even at very young ages, students are carrying too much weight on their backs. Daily carrying of books, clothing, musical instruments and other items is often too much weight on children’s still-forming muscles and bones. Heavy backpacks can take a physical toll by sapping students’ energy and even causing orthopedic damage, such as stress fractures, inflammation of cartilage and nerve damage. Parents can help minimize risks for back problems with these tips recommended by health experts:
If affordable, consider buying a second heavy instrument or, if possible, borrowing one from school so children don’t have to carry it every day. Ask teachers which items must be packed every day and which items can be left at school or home.
ASBA Resources for Families – September 2015
Find a well-designed backpack and adjust the straps so the bottom of the pack hits no lower than four inches below the waist. Select a pack that is no bigger than necessary.
http://nyti.ms/1R4yJUH Manage school stress Too much stress is not healthy and can be counterproductive. Many students feel stress from academic pressure, which can turn into depression and anxiety. The start of a new school year is a good time to watch for signs of stress and practice ways to manage it. Health experts recommend these tips:
Watch for signs of stress Extreme behavior, such as cutting, is stress-related and easy to spot. Other less obvious signs are expressions of despair or hopelessness and complaints of headaches, stomach-aches and reluctance to go to school. Teach time management skills Organizational skills can significantly reduce school stress. Teach kids to keep on top of homework rather than cramming. Re-evaluate activities and avoid overscheduling Too many activities and advanced courses
contribute to high stress in students. This is a greater problem for older students, but younger students are at-risk, too. It’s important to strike a balance between school work, organized activities and play. Watch for the signs of stress and then help your child take a break. Students need time to recharge and remember to have fun during these brief school years. Encourage sleep, exercise and family meals Adequate sleep is essential to health, school performance and stress levels. Exercise and strong family connections can also significantly reduce stress levels. Health experts suggest family mealtimes – a minimum of 20 minutes at least four to five times a week – for communicating and connecting with children. Beware of parental pressure Parents inadvertently stress their kids by pressuring them to excel in school. Shift the focus from grades to questions about how students feel and what they are learning.
www.webmd.com/parenting/features/coping-school-stress
FSLW Corner – September 2015
I am pleased to be returning to promote Mental Health Wellness within our Beaumont Schools as your Family School
Liaison Worker (FSLW). The connection between school, home and community plays a huge role in the success of
students. I am here to support those relationships and foster that connection. We are one team working towards a
common goal: the best outcomes for our children. I look forward to the opportunity to walk alongside you in your journey
this school year.
Support for Students through Individual or Small Group work:
Anger Management
Self-Esteem
Coping Skills
Conflict Resolution
Social/Friendship Skills
For Parents/Guardians:
Supporting families in accessing appropriate services and resources
Identifying and building on positive parenting strengths, strategies and tools
Act as a liaison among school personnel, students, families and community agencies
Referral Process: In all cases, parental/guardian consent is required. It is anticipated that parents will work with the
program to the best of their abilities and assist their child to participate in the Regional Collaborative Service Delivery. For
services, please contact your school counsellor to submit a referral.
FCSS Coffee Talks: Starting Tuesday, September 22, 2015, I will be collaborating with Community Development
Coordinator Kaylene McKinney to host monthly Coffee Talks. Our goal is to provide a forum for all local parents to learn
and share ideas for promoting Mental Health Wellness in our children.
Our First topic: Back to the Routine!–Tips and Tricks for managing our busy lives.
Where: 5817 Rue Eaglemont (between Ecole Dansereau Meadows and Ecole St. Andre Schools in the FSCC Town Hall)
When: Tuesday September 22, 2015 from 8:30 – 9:30. Coffee and refreshments will be served.
FSLW Contact: [email protected]
