STC Newsletter

My schedule each day will begin at the VH Jr/Sr High to meet student needs there before the bell rings. The rest of the week will primarily be:

• Monday at Blue Rapids
• Tuesday at Waterville (third Tuesday is Harvesters)
• Wednesday at VH and out and about in our community
• Thursday AM in Waterville/PM in Blue Rapids
• Friday at VH

Meet the Family Advocate, Jayne Whitson by appointment. She is available to help students and families succeed with resources, referrals and donated items to help during a family trauma, crisis or setback.

The best way to reach the family advocate is via cell, 612-202-7366.

Gratefulness leads to a positive mindset! An "attitude of gratitude" may sound like a self-help fad, but in all honesty, who doesn't appreciate when others express their thankfulness and show gratitude for a gift, a service, a thoughtful word, a beautiful sunset, a helpful hand, a smile or kind gesture? As we enter the holiday season it's a great time to begin practicing gratitude intentionally and daily. When we begin to appreciate the world, our community, our families, friends, health, homes and possessions on a frequent basis, we will truly begin to live on the bright side and become a light to others, spreading goodness and kindness.

Gratitude is not "just practicing good manners"...but it is taking time to pause and genuinely be happy and acknowledge the blessings in your life, in your past year, in your family or tribe, in your home, in your day and in each moment. It doesn't matter how big or small that blessing is, being grateful comes from your heart and affects your mind and actions. Being grateful will change your mindset and welcome challenges instead of producing complaints. Being appreciative will improve relationships, your health, help you to sleep and rest better too.

How do you practice being grateful? Everyone is different! Journaling what your are grateful for is a helpful start because writing something down reinforces it in your consciousness. Visual reminders or cues are helpful too. For some it may be a heart shaped pendant or sticker and for others it could be a post-it note on the bathroom mirror. Your five senses can also be helpful in reminding you how blessed you are to see children playing, hear your favorite tunes, smell fresh baked cookies, taste chocolate, and feel the warmth of a hug or a comfy blankie. Sharing your gratefulness with others not only helps keep you accountable, but also strengthens your relationships and models gratefulness to others.

During this season, be grateful! For the blessings big and small are truly what makes a difference in our own lives and to those around us.

“We are who we practice to be. So if you practice gratitude, you’ll be grateful”

Students in grades K-4 celebrated STOP Bullying Month in October learning that it is up to each of them to STOP Bullying. It is their own responsibility to " Speak Up", "Reach Out" and " Be A Friend". By being the best "me" I can be, we can STOP Bullying. Students learned that being responsible for themselves; their thoughts and words, their feelings and emotions, and their behavior and actions has a lot to do with how Bullying can be STOPPED! Students repeated the pledge and discussed how speaking out and using their words and I statements can help STOP others who may be bullying a friend or merely having a disagreement. Students discussed that bullying is no joke, but that words can be hurtful and that it OK to ask an adult for help when there is an emergency and when someone is getting hurt. Students pledged not to use their own words or hands for hurting, but only for helping. Each classroom signed the STOP Bullying Pledge with Ms. Jayne and their teacher.

Schools That Care is grateful for the snacks donated at Fall Festival to help keep students on track at school and in class. The SNACK ATTACK donation drive continues...please consider donating healthy prepacked snacks that are shelf stable such as, pudding cups, crackers, granola bars, popcorn, nuts, fruit cups, pretzels or trail mix. Thank you for your support!

"Let's play a board game!"

When was the last time you heard that? For me, snow days meant that my friends in the small town I grew up in would gather at my house to play Monopoly- I was probably in 7th or 8th grade when we started doing that. Monoply can be a loooonnnng game that sometimes doesn't end (unless the parents end it) and it provided us with hours of fun-snow days were the perfect day for a loooonnnng game of Monopoly! We all looked forward to those snow days when we could hang out, eat endless fresh baked chocolate chip cookies made from scratch in my Mom's kitchen and we made loads of memories. Little did we know at that time, we were making so much more than just memories....we were building friendships in a safe environment, simply enjoying each other's company, respecting each other, sharing laughter, feelings and having conversations, competing, learning to compromise: buying selling, trading, sharing compassion, becoming adaptable to changes, taking turns, facing challenges, planning strategically, valuing dependability, our independence and so much more....right there in my home, at the dinning room table on Quincy Street.

Today, there are so many more games to choose from, including video games. Board games offer people of all ages to humanly connect and that is one of the most important steps that leads to happiness according to Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs. Eliminate the screen time! Board games bring people of all ages together: family, friends, neighbors, church family, co-workers, classmates, and others to share joy, "win bragging rights," and possibly so much more. Playing board games together teaches positive and supportive ways to connect, helps others feel accepted, and shows respect for self and others in a safe and encouraging environment. These are socio-emotional skills that are import through out life for building relationships, expressing yourself and learning teamwork. When we play games together, we communicate verbally and non-verbally: talking, listening, laughing, celebrating and empathizing, plus smiling, making eye-contact, nodding ,body language, other facial expressions and gesturing. Developing good communication skills is essential to relationships lasting through conflicts, misunderstandings and creative problem solving.

In addition, board games help to stimulate and strengthen STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) skills, people skills and prepare students to identify their skills, others' skills and skills they may want to improve for personal and professional success. STEM develops skills like analytical thinking, math and science aptitudes, attention to details and technical skills. In today's job market, people skills like teamwork, critical thinking, time management and creative problem solving are essential for success and won't be replaced by AI. Other skills that board games teach include visual perception, hand-eye coordination and manual dexterity. Children can also learn natural consequences, how to adapt quickly and to respond effectively when playing board games.

There is so much to learn and gain from playing board games! Consider gifting a board game this holiday season, at the next birthday party you attend or as a gift to the host. Most board games identify what ages it is appropriate for, so look for that on the box or package. People of all ages can benefit from playing board games by keeping their minds sharp, encouraging creativity, and fostering empathy, compassion, and trust. There is nothing like playing Uno with the grandparents! We can all find some joy while strengthening social skills, relieving stress, having a good time and connecting with others. "Game ON!"

Elementary students in K-4 grades will focus on Honesty and Gratefulness in November's character building lessons with Ms. Jayne. Students will learn how trust is built on honesty and how dishonesty can break up trust, relationships and hurt others. Honesty is valuable to friendships. Everyone values those whom they can trust and depend on; family members, teachers, bus drivers, good neighbors, and more! Students will also learn the lesson about changing an attitude with gratitude. Sometimes things don't work out the way we want, but since we are responsible for our thoughts, feelings and actions; we've been learning ways to change our thoughts....gratitude is one more way to change our thoughts and those thoughts will impact our feelings and our actions. Around the dinner table is a great place and time to have conversations about what each family member is grateful for today.

Taking time for yourself and others may be what makes your life fulfilling. But taking just 10 minutes each day to have intentional and undistracted moments with your children can build stronger bonds and lasting memories but also nurtures their socio-emotional growth. For younger children it even impacts their brain development. You can learn more at justtenminutes.org.

Set aside 10 minutes: before or after breakfast, a nap or a destination just to connect and free yourselves from distractions, especially any screens; set a timer if you need. Then try some simple screen-free activities like crafts, reading, playing a card or board game or completing a chore together. Teamwork encourages communication and connections. You may be surprised how much those small moments of connections build relationships, trust, and creates a loving environment for you and your child. There are many activities you can do. For suggestions, visit justtenminutes.org.

If the Holidays are already beginning to pinch your wallet or your paycheck doesn't stretch to the end of the year like it once did, consider shopping for these FREE resources at your local school. Colts Closets and Mustang TradIn are available to ease the blow of the holidays for families and students in the VH family. By appointment with the the Family Advocate, parents can shop for donated items for your family or students. Items available range from church clothes and dress shoes in various sizes to play clothes and casual dress to bath soap/shower gel, toothpaste and household cleaning supplies, socks, pj's and more.

If you are interested in adopting a family or having your family confidentially adopted for the holidays due to a recent hardship, a change in your family stability or a crisis, please contact our Family Advocate, Jayne Whitson, 612-202-7366 to discuss some options. Schools That Care is here to help! Christmas Meal boxes will also be available in December. If your family or a Valley Heights family you know would benefit from receiving a meal for Christmas, please click to complete the referral.

To complete each Christmas Meal Box for families who have had a recent hardship or crisis, a "home-made pie" is a perfect comforting finish! As students at Valley Heights work towards providing a Christmas Meal box to families in our community, we invite you to donate a freshly baked fruit or pumpkin pie. Frozen pies are also accepted. 40-50 pies may be needed, so if you are willing to bake or freeze more than one, we gratefully accept! Please make arrangements with our Family Advocate, Jayne Whitson, 612-202-7366 to deliver the pies by Dec. 10 so we may consider purchasing whatever needs remain. Thank you!

At an October Rotary meeting in Waterville, the "Bigs" in our local program presented the opportunity to Rotarians to become a "Big" in the Waterville Elementary Big Brothers Big Sisters program. Karl Prinslow shared that becoming a Big is way he can give back to the community in another way. He enjoys meeting with his little during the after school program. Recently they made pizza together. Karl explained that at his age, he was hesitant to join Big Brothers Big Sisters thinking he may not have much in common with a little and that he wasn't prepared to be matched with a child who may have challenging needs. Karl shared that he was pleasantly surprised! He said that he looks forward to sharing 30-40 minutes or more with his little each week at the grade school because it is a safe and convenient, yet comfortable place for them to meet. He said that during the process of preparing to be a Big, his fears were alleviated and he was matched with a little who has become a young friend-no special needs, just a kid looking for an adult to enjoy some company. Thank you Rotary for inviting us to be your guests.

We need more volunteers! There are many more grade school students who want a Big brother or Big sister, a mentor, an adult friend to build a lasting relationship with outside of their family. Relationships are important! Everyone has a desire and need to belong. As children grow, so does their curiosity and desire to build relationships outside their family. Big Brothers Big Sisters offers the opportunity to fill that need with volunteers in our community who love children and want to make a difference. Thank you to our Bigs: Karl Prinslow, John Denton, Cindy Stoudt and Jayne Whitson for sharing their time with littles to make an impact in the life of one child at a time.

Kansas Big Brothers Big Sisters organization proves that mentors do make a difference to children, their families and to communities. "Youth with an active adult role model have the support and assistance to overcome barriers and break destructive cycles." It only takes 30 minutes each week to make an impact. Students with "BIGS" in this program are less likely to skip school, get involved in violence, drugs or alcohol, and also less likely to repeat negative cycles. Students with BIGS in the mentoring program are MORE likely to improve academically, improve their self-esteem, attend college or trade school and hold a job with a livable wage by age 25. Those are big BIG impacts on our children, their families and our community.

If you'd like to learn more about this volunteer opportunity please talk to our Family Advocate, Jayne Whitson, she will connect you with Valley Heights' Big Brothers Big Sisters Match Specialist. Now is the best time to apply so that you can begin meeting with your match this semester!! Click here to become a BIG.

If your child could benefit from a mentor in this program, click here to sign them up to become a "little" and get matched with a volunteer Big Brother or Big Sister!

Click here to become a BIG.

Click here to enroll your youth.

If you want to learn more about engaging with your child about safe activities in the virtual world they are participating in, here's your chance to learn more for FREE! This training will provide you with resources and information from The National Center for Missing and Endangered Children. You will receive tip sheets and discussion guides as well as info on how to research the apps and platforms your kids may be using. This FREE webinar is presented by trainers from Project Harmony and is brought to you FREE with the generous support of the John K. and Lynn D Boyer Family Foundation.

Register online here for training on Dec. 11.

If you have questions, please email, training@projectharmony.com or call, 513-301-5079.

Project Harmony is based in Omaha, NE, and serves with community professionals and advocates to protect and support children and families who have experienced trauma and to end child abuse and neglect. Check out their website to learn more.

Celebrating the 30th year of the Blue Valley Giving Tree! Blue Valley Technologies has been coordinating gifts of Christmas cheer to children and families who need help to celebrate the holidays in their service area for 30 years! Their service area includes, Marshall, Nemaha, Pottawatomie and Washington counties in Kansas. BVT partners with local businesses to provide gifts for children's wish lists. In Blue Rapids, you can donate at The First Commerce Bank and Riverside Market. Simply pick up a card that lists a child's wishes, shop for gifts, and return the gifts with the card and code attached. BVT employees handle the pick up and delivery to keep it confidential. For more information, or to give online, visit the Blue Valley Technologies website. Thank you to Blue Valley Technologies, their partners, and donors for continuing to spread the joy of the Christmas spirit to all!

Blessing boxes are available in both Waterville and Blue Rapids. Give what you can and take what you need. In Waterville the Blessing Box is located on Commercial Street near the Citizens State Bank. The Blessing Box in Blue Rapids is located in Riverside Park near the playground by the recycling container.

You may download and print a copy here.