The Land Line
AUG 31-SEP 4, 2026
Dear Mustang Family,
Nothing is 'easy', especially once the 'honeymoon is over' and we've had our first "Full Moon Friday" of the school year. Sometimes students - or ADULTS - wish for one of these proverbial 'easy buttons' to just go back to Summer or not come to school. It's part of the grief process and the loss of control that smacks us in the face on week 3 when we realize... 'oh. This is really happening. I'm in a new place, with new people, and new rules, and I am not sure I'm okay with it.' Please know so many are navigating these emotions and you are not alone! I hope the resources below are helpful to your family at home.
This week, Mrs Land will present her second lesson to grades K/2/4/5. I'll talk to students about the SEPTEMBER Character Strong Trait: RESPECT and explain the definition of bullying (see below). I'll also promote Maplewood's upcoming 75th anniversary (9/11 pep rally during school day & 9/12 main event) and preview the "Peacemaker Promise" that will serve as our school's Fall "R.E.A.L" activity (see below), which all grades and staff will be invited to sign. Fun fact: Maplewood PTA won a grant from the City Of Austin's "We All Belong" Initiative for submitting this idea!! Students will then draw what they think it will be like 75 years from now. Y'all - that's the year 2101. WHOA. While students work independently, I'll call students over one at a time for 'One Minute Meetings'. If you haven't had time to review the "1 MIN MTG" questions, scroll down for links.
On Friday, we'll all wear colors or logos for any college to increase awareness of higher education. It's so fun to see the kids' excitement about the teams or schools they already know about. It's also hilarious to watch their reaction when I tell them I'm a proud Austin College Kangaroo. (Picture confusion and disbelief.)
Please reach out for any reason if your child or your family is having trouble finding a way back in to a routine, or if there's anything I can do to support your child(ren) at school. Have a great week and enjoy Labor Day next weekend!
R.E.A.L. Campaign
Bullying Definition
Peacemaker Promise
Q: What does 'I CONSENT' to psychological exam' really mean?
A: For the elementary level, it means you allow the School Counselor to do a '1 min mtg' or 'well-being questionnaire' with your child. The responses are ONLY viewable by the school counselor on a google form spreadsheet, and responses are NOT entered in to your child's cumulative record. They are mainly used for general planning and intervention supports. School counselors are NOT licensed psychologists and we do NOT have access to formal psychological exams. However, Texas law states that informal well-being questionnaires administered in a public school should be considered 'psychological exams,' which require written caregiver consent in advance.
GREEN PEACE TEAM APPLICATIONS DUE FRI SEP 4
SAFETY PATROL APPLICATIONS DUE FRI SEP 4
LAUNDRY SUPPLY DRIVE SEP 7-11
RESTART prompt
Find a moment when your child is calm. Ask them to pretend their brain is their favorite digital device (eg. iPad, Xbox) and ask them where their 'restart' button is located. Is it their nose or their belly button? Maybe they have a better idea, but it's a good way to get them to crack a smile when frustrated.
REFRESH prompt
Older grades have this word in their vocabulary and understand how to 'refresh' the screen when it freezes or won't load quickly. Our brains are the same way! Sometimes, we just need to 'refresh' the screen before we can move on from that distraction or feeling.
RE-DO prompt
So many kids still call for a 'do-over' when a game doesn't go as unplanned at recess. This is a great way to handle it at home when the morning gets off on the wrong foot or when they have a tough day at school!
DOORWAY DANCE
As you exit your home, on the way to leave for school, ask your child if they want to dance or stand in the doorway. Ask if they want to stay there for 5 seconds or 10 seconds. When time's up, ask if they want to walk or dance to the car/bus/school. If they roll their eyes at you, ask if they want you to keep giving them choices or stop. 🤣
5-4-3-2-1
When your child has a strong emotion that does not match the size of the situation, approach them at eye level, say their name in a very quiet, gentle voice. Then say, 'look at me.' As you lock eyes, take a very intentional, slow and silent breath in through your nose, then silently breathe out through your mouth. If they are able to keep eye contact with you and match your breathing, prompt them as follows (Allow them to answer in between each step. Keep track of each thing they name by counting on your hand so that they have a visual way to ):
- Tell me 5 things you can see around you right now
- Tell me 4 things you can touch right now
- Tell me 3 things you can hear right now
- Tell me 2 things you love
- Tell me 1 thing you can smell right now
You'll notice almost instantly that activating their senses forces their brain to focus on the present surroundings, instead of the feeling. Once their 'thinking brain/upstairs brain' takes over, they can listen and process your words more easily. ("You were mad." "I know you wanted..." "It's hard when you have to wait or things don't go the way you planned." Thank you for calming down with me." "Let's start over.")
Print off the picture and put it on the fridge or by their bed or a favorite calm down spot. Save it to the photos in your phone for easy access!
