Character Counts

*The intention of this newsletter compiled of some quoted information is to inform parents/caregivers about the Character Trait of the Month for May, INTEGRITY, and to highlight what students will be learning during our SEL lessons. Resources and at-home activities have also been compiled for parents throughout this newsletter. SEL lessons may vary depending on classroom needs and Teacher request.

Social and emotional learning (SEL) provides provides an array of benefits. Not only can it increase students’ academic achievement, but SEL activities can build students’ self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision making. All of these skills are important for students’ academic, social, and eventually, professional lives.

This month, Woburn Elementary School Adjustment Counselors will be teaching students about the importance of Integrity. We will have interactive discussions and will do a guided activity together. *Lessons and activities may vary from school to school*

Integrity is all about the choices we make and holding ourselves accountable to being honest and doing the right thing. Integrity is one of the cardinal qualities that positively influences a child's character and behavior Here is how instilling integrity positively impacts a child:

• It helps an individual anticipate the consequences of unethical behaviour
  
• It helps us make the right decisions, which has a positive impact on us and others around us
  
• It forms the basis of good relationships
  
• It enables us to lead a happy and fulfilling life

1. Role play scenarios that might come up at school, home or out in community and think about what the cause and effect relationships between actions and feelings might be

2. Make a storybook about a situation that came up and the choices the character made throughout the day

3. Keep a log of the choices that you make throughout the day and build an "integrity" log of doing the right thing

1. What does Integrity mean?

2. Are you that kind of person?

3. Who is someone who you know that shows Integrity?

4. In what way is your integrity your gift to yourself? In what way is it your gift to the world? Can you think of any examples?

5. We all have our special gifts. What is your special gift?

6. Does thinking about how you want to be remembered tell you anything about how you should live your life?

7. Have you ever heard the phrase “Let your life speak”? What do you think that means?

8. Is being thought of as someone with integrity important to you? Why, or why not? How would you feel if someone accused you of not having integrity?

9. What does the word “integrity” mean to you?

10. What does the expression “walk your talk” mean? Do you know people who walk their talk? What do you think of them? Do you know people who don’t walk their talk? What do you think of them? How do you feel when you hear people say one thing and do another?

11. How do you feel when you see someone who’s not willing to stand up for his/her beliefs?

12. Have you ever taken a stand that was unpopular and had to pay the price for that? What did you do? What was the outcome? How did you feel afterwards? What did you learn from the experience?

13. What does “compromising your principles” mean? Give an example. How far would you compromise your principles in order to get ahead?

14. In what ways do you benefit from making choices that are consistent with your highest values?

15. What do you think Gandhi meant when he said, “We must be the change we want to see?”

16. What does integrity have to do with your character?

This month, we are learning about integrity: doing the right thing even when no one is watching. Integrity means being honest, making responsible choices, standing up for what is right, and treating others fairly and respectfully. We build integrity through everyday actions like telling the truth, taking responsibility for mistakes, including others, and making good choices even when something is difficult.

"Right Thing" Challenge:

As a family, notice moments during the week when someone shows integrity. At the end of the day, share examples together. Examples could include:

• Admitting a mistake
• Returning something that doesn’t belong to them
• Helping someone without being asked
• Doing the right thing when it would be easier not to

Integrity Role-Plays:

Take turns acting out situations such as:

• Finding money on the floor
• Seeing someone left out at recess
• Breaking something by accident
• Witnessing someone being teased

Then ask:

• What would a person with integrity do?
• What choice would feel hardest?
• What choice would feel right?

• -What does integrity mean?
• -Why is it important to do the right thing even when no one is watching?
• -Can someone show integrity after making a mistake? How?
• -What are ways you can show integrity at school?
• -Why can standing up for others sometimes feel difficult?
• -How do our choices affect other people?

September:RESPECT: https://app.smore.com/n/s7nub

October: RESPONSIBILITY: https://app.smore.com/n/46kup7

Novemeber: CITIZENSHIP: https://app.smore.com/n/xtakg

December: HONESTY: https://app.smore.com/n/asb9z

January: FAIRNESS: https://app.smore.com/n/qgf54

February: CARING: https://app.smore.com/n/d0w3x

March: COURAGE: https://app.smore.com/n/suc29

April: DILIGENCE: https://app.smore.com/n/rbh0fu

May: TRUSTWORTHINESS: https://app.smore.com/n/dab41-character-counts

June: INTEGRITY:

Information & Shared Community:

• National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI): Mental Health education, self care resources, and awareness materials.

• Mental Health America: Screening tools, wellness tips, research articles, advocacy

• City of Woburn - Mental Health and Substance Abuse Awareness Festival / Live Free Fun Run: May 31, Ice House Park, 9:30am-2pm. Community event focused on providing resource connections, raising awareness, food trucks, face painting, music.

Coping Skills & Self Regulation:

• Headspace for Educators: App in Apple/Android Store. Free subscription for educators offering classroom resources, guided meditations, mindfulness routines, sleep aids, and focus exercises.

• Healthy Minds Program: App in Apple/Android Store. Science based, free meditation app. Designed to help improve mental health through awareness, connection, insight and purpose. Combines podcast style lessons with meditations.

Seeking Support:

• Interface Mental Health Referral Service: Free mental health referral service for students of WPS. Provides a "concierge" like service to connect students and families with mental health providers.

• MIIA Member Portal & App: Mental Health and Wellness resources for staff members provided as part of the WPS Employee Assistance Program.

• 
  

After Hours Mental Health Emergency Contact Info:

If this communication is regarding a mental health emergency occurring before or after school hours (8:10am-2:55pm on school days) or on a weekend, holiday or school break, call 911, go to your nearest Emergency Room or Advocates Mobile Crisis Team.

Advocates Mobile Crisis Team: 1-800-640-5432

Other Mental Health Resources:

Suicide & Crisis Lifeline 24/7: call or text 988

Interface Mental Health Referal Service (non-emergency, 9am-5pm): 1-888-244-6843