Bluejacket Bulletin

Another busy week is behind us with Halloween (and the sugar crash the day after), our first lockdown drill, ELA team collaborative planning, and the start of Puberty Talks for 4th graders. Thank you for all of your help in making these events successful, exciting, and/or informational.

I hope this weekend was all that you wanted and needed it to be, whether that was successful hunting, laughter with friends, memory making with family, or something else to recharge you.

Please know that I am grateful you are on our team and I am here to support you. If there is something that you need from me, please don't hesitate to ask. Wishing you a great week ahead!

-Sara

Growth Plans were shared in the IIS/STEAM Google Classroom.

Step 1 - identifying your growth element is due by November 8.

Step 2 - learning, reflecting, and growing in that element area will be on going. You can update and add to your plan at any time.

Step 3 - final reflections, will be due prior to the end of year 1:1 conference that we'll have.

If you need help with any step of this process, please reach out Dawn or me and we'd be glad to meet with you.

We know it's hard, but none of can manage how another individual behaves. However, that doesn't mean that we are powerless in an escalated situation. We can manage our own response! How we react - what we say and do - can have a significant impact on the other person's behavior and help them re-regulate.

Here are some suggestions from the Crisis Prevention Institute:

"As humans, our physiological states are inherently social, affecting everything we sense, feel, do, and experience within our internal and external environments. This leads to a natural “contagiousness” of such feelings and behaviors—both for better and for worse. By empowering yourself to react more rationally, students in your class will begin to naturally follow suit over time.

Here are five simple strategies you can use to better regulate your emotions in the classroom:

1. Identify Your Stress Responses

Mindfulness begins by monitoring our own body’s signals. Before we have an emotional response, our autonomic nervous system begins sending physical sensations. Next time you find yourself in a stressful situation, monitor what is physically happening to you so you easily identify your triggers and regulate yourself before your fight-or-flight response kicks in.

2. Use a Sensory Regulatory Practice

Movement and sensory practices help calm our nervous system. Such deliberate actions give you a moment to pause, collect your thoughts, and respond to stress in a less reactive way.

3. Reframe Your Thoughts

Our immediate reactions are often colored by our own biases, filling our bodies with anxiety, whether or not it’s an appropriate response. In many cases, trauma or stress cause us to respond irrationally. As you begin to regulate, think objectively about what is occurring, and what choices you can make to help de-escalate the situation for yourself and those around you.

4. Use Focused-Attention

Practices Like sensory regulation practices, focused-attention practices can help us when we’re dysregulated, but they can also be used to energize us; helping us focus and pay attention in the present moment. Use focused-attention practices—see below—anytime you need a reset.

5. Continue to Practice Awareness— Every Day

Mindfulness is a skill that develops over time, so it’s important to implement these practices even when you’re not feeling stressed or overwhelmed. Doing so puts you in a better position to regulate your emotions in critical moments."

Hello everyone,

Our drill went quite well this past week. I wasn't able to see if you grabbed your "go bags," but trust that you all did. I got command hooks for the rooms now and I will try to get them put up this week. Sara and I agreed that the hooks will be on the back side of all the doors. That way it's the same for everyone and as you exit or lock the door, it's right there for you to grab. Please hang only the green go-bag on these hooks.

Also, I've noticed that several rooms have the temperature thermostat blocked. It can't get a true temperature reading that way. If your room is too warm or chilly, check to make sure the flat plate (usually over by the door and says "Allerton" in small letters) is uncovered.

Lastly, if you notice any slick spots, let me know right away so I can take care of the problem. Be careful, especially at the transition from the rugs to the flooring - any frost or snow can make those first few steps very slippery. Let's try and have 0 injury reports this season!! It won't be easy, but we can do it.

Thanks everyone! Have a great week!

Meeting 7:30am

Observation 8:15-9:00am

Observation Planning Conference 1:00-1:30pm

SST Meeting 2:30-3:00pm

3rd grade ELA Collaboration 3:00-4:00pm

Tuesday, November 7

Election Day

Principal Meeting 8:30-11:00am

IEP Meeting 12:10-12:25pm

Observation Post-conference 1:00-1:30pm

Literacy Meeting 2:00-3:00pm

BILT Meeting 2:30-2:00pm

Wednesday, November 8

Observation 8:15-9:00am

PLC meeting for 4th, 5th, STEAM, Specialists at 2:30

SAT meeting for 3rd grade at 2:30

3rd grade ELA Collaboration 3:00-4:00pm

Thursday, November 9

Wit & Wisdom Training 11:30-3:00 (Sara & Dawn out of the building)

Friday, November 10

Bluejacket Pride Drawing

Mental Health Team Meeting 7:30-8:15am

Meeting 8:30-9:30am

School Sealants for students signed up (room 215)

Cambridge-Isanti Schools offers you and your family members 13+ yrs. free, confidential counseling, referral, and support services through the M Health Fairview Employee Assistance Program (EAP).

No issue is too large or too small. Some common concerns employees seek support include stress management, anxiety, relational issues, conflict, depression, and grief.

Appointments are flexible and can be over the phone, virtual, or in person. You can schedule an appointment by calling 612-672-2195 or 800-215- 5327(toll-free).

For more information, visit: Fairview.org/EAP

Password: CambridgeIsanti