Elementary News
Mac El and Pipe Creek Elementary - Oct. 3, 2025
K-1
This week, our kindergarteners and first graders are learning about anxiety! That jittery, wiggly feeling we sometimes get in our bodies when our worries feel too big. We read A Little Spot of Anxiety by Diane Alber, which helps children understand that anxiety is a normal feeling and gives us tools to calm ourselves when it shows up.
We practiced a special “blow your worries away” hand activity from the book. Here’s how it works:
Using a finger, we trace pretend lines from the tip of each finger to the middle of our palm while saying:
“From the tip of my finger to the middle of my palm,
I can do this! I can be calm!
This worry grew too big and cannot stay,
Take a deep breath and blow it away!”
After tracing, we take a slow, deep breath and then pretend to blow all of our worries right out of our hands.
The kids had so much fun practicing this, and it gave them a playful way to understand that anxiety doesn’t have to stay with us. We can always calm our bodies and send it away! I encourage you to ask your child to teach you this rhyme and show you how they “blow their worries away” at home.
2nd grade
This week 2nd grader is learning to identify how their bodies feel when they are angry - heart beats faster, face feels hot and may turn red & their body becomes right or tense. We talk about the different coping skills (ways to handle our feelings) such as taking deep breaths, go to a calming corner, etc. We associate all of these things to a traffic signal. When we feel angry we stop (red) our actions before we harm others or damage property. Then we think (yellow) about the consequences that might happen because of our actions. Then we practice our coping skills to calm ourselves down so we can go (green).
3rd grade
Third grade is also learning what tools (coping skills) they can put in their coping carry-on bag for when they are having angry feelings.
Pre-K: Evelyn Frischman
Kindergarten: Lorelei Stoll
Lorelei is a wonderful part of our classroom family! She is kind to her friends and always helps make our class a happy place to learn. Lorelei comes to school with a big smile and is excited to learn new things every day. She always tries her best and works hard on everything she does. We love having Lorelei in our class!
1st Grade: Matthew Fernung
Matthew is an awesome BRAVE! He always sets a good example for his classmates. He is respectful, kind, caring, and responsible. He comes to school every day ready to learn and gives 100% effort. I am very proud of him, and he is a joy to have in our classroom. Keep up the great job, Matthew!
2nd Grade: Haisley Oldfather
Haisley is making huge gains in reading this year. I am so proud of her for always trying her best and working hard. Haisley is a good friend to all, and we are so lucky to have her as a part of our classroom family. Keep up the hard work!
3rd Grade: Aliana Botella
4th Grade: Josephine Gustin
Josey is a dedicated and hardworking student who consistently stays on task and follows directions. She always puts forth her best effort and demonstrates a strong commitment to her learning. We are so lucky to have Josey in our class.
5th Grade: Isabella Silvers
I picked Bella Silvers as my Brave of the week. She is a perfect example of a good friend and helpful classmate. She is always willing to go out of her way to make others smile and laugh. I can always count on Bella to try her best, no matter what task I give her. Keep up the awesome work, Bella.....I am so lucky to have you in my class this year.