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.

Only YOU can stop bullying. Stand up for yourself and stand up for others. October is Stop Bullying Month and it is time to stand up! Using your words and telling others to STOP using their hands or words for hurting you or others is standing up against bullying.

Be assertive, say it like you mean it! But you don't have to be mean. Sometimes when others say or treat you in a way that hurts, it is intentional; but sometimes, they may not understand how hurtful it is to you. Speaking with respect can be beneficial. Teaching children to use "I statements" is a way of speaking up and standing up for themselves that is neither threatening or harmful. "Please stop." "I don't like it when you say (or do)______________." " That hurt me because ___________." I felt __________ when that happened." "What I need is __________________." Using a firm but gentle voice is assertive and expresses yourself positively.

If that doesn't stop hurtful actions and words, students at Valley Heights Schools are taught to tell an adult at school and an adult at home. Telling an adult is not "tattling"; it is simply asking for help to deal with a situation or relationship that makes them uncomfortable. Sometimes it is a misunderstanding and sometimes it is more serious. Teaching kids to stand up for themselves is a lesson in not only respecting themselves, but also respecting others. There is no shame in asking for help to do that.

For review, watch this video book with your young kids to remind them that Words are not for Hurting.

Protecting children from online bullies and predators may be a primary concern for parents. How much time is spent on technology devices can be concern. Which apps and games are safe for children? If you and your family are concerned, this short video may help guide you to making better decisions and setting up some guidelines for the whole family to follow. Modeling is teaching good habits. Your kids are watching you and want to be like YOU!

It can take less than one minute to regulate emotions and return to a learning activity. Training the brain takes practice! Students in K-4th grades are learning skills and building a tool kit to practice regulation skills that will help them learn this year!

Like a computer, our brains are wired with many capabilities! And sometimes it needs a "re-set" too! Take A Minute Toolkits are designed to offer students the opportunity to do that when they need to "take a minute" to adjust their attitude, emotions or thoughts and return to work and learning. Beyond breathing and movement, these skills will include grounding skills that access their 5 senses: touch, sight, sound, smell and taste as well as affirmations and positive thoughts to help them become resilient!

We all have skills that we use on a daily basis that help us cope with what life brings us. It is different for all of us. It may be counting to ten, taking a deep breathe or a short walk, laughing or telling a joke, sipping a cup of coffee or tea--we learned what skills work for us along our journey at a time when we may have needed it most. Take a Minute Toolkits will teach these students skills to use and allow them to discover and practice what works best for them. It will be a life skill they can use on their journey to success!

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you to all individual donors, families and businesses who answered the call to donate to Schools That Care during Match Days in Blue Rapids! Together we raised over $2800 to support Schools That Care's mission to provide for students and families in the USD#498 Valley Heights Schools a means for students to succeed in our classrooms! A portion of the funds raised were matched at 50% with funds from the Blue Rapids Foundation and a gift from the Patterson Family Foundation. TOgether we raised over $4,300! It is such a blessing to have funds available to help students with school supplies, hygiene supplies, winter clothes and more when families are in crisis or burdened. Thank you for giving when your gifts could be matched and become GREATER! It is a Win/Win for our students, families and community when so many show how much they care.

In 2022, the USD #498 Board of Education voted to adopt the Big Brothers Big Sisters mentorship site based program beginning with the Waterville Grade School at the recommendation of Schools That Care and the Valley Heights Community Coalition. Since then, the program has been funded through 4 Golf Tournaments and funds raised from other community supports. Currently there are 4 thriving matches in our program! Now, we need more volunteers! There are 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.

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." 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. Find out more about this program or how to become a Big at the October 9th Rotary meeting at the Waterville Elementary School, starting with lunch at noon. Please RSVP to Jayne Whitson, 612-202-7366 to reserve your spot for lunch by Tuesday, Oct. 7. Thank you!

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.

Kansas Big Brothers Big Sisters featured our local Big and Little Match recently on Face Book.

Little Freyja and Big Jayne were just starting out their match journey, spending time together at school lunch. They practiced good manners at the table, prayed before meals, and shared special little gifts, like hairbrushes and friendship bracelet kits, that showed how much they cared for each other.

Almost 3 years later, Freyja still runs to Jayne for a “hello hug” and a “goodbye hug.” Jayne gets to teach Freyja’s class through her Character Ed. programming; a treat Freyja always looks forward to. Freyja can’t wait to share any exciting news with her Big, and Jayne has loved watching her grow from a kindergartener into a thoughtful second grader who blossoms socially and loves including others.

Their match has become a safe space built on encouragement, kindness, and friendship — proof that little moments over lunch can grow into something really special.

#thenvsnow #bigbrothersbigsisters #rileycountybigs

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.

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.