Counselor's Corner

Character Counts

Students learn about developing strong character is through the Character Counts program. Students receive weekly lessons about the month’s trait. K-2 students work with their classroom teacher while the 3-5 grade students discuss the trait in their house meetings.

October's character trait is Respect. Respect is the yellow pillar because it reminds students to think of the golden rule.

Treat others with respect; think the golden rule

• Treat others with respect; think the golden rule

• Be tolerant of differences

• Use good manners, not bad language

• Be considerate of the feelings of others

• Don’t threaten, hit or hurt anyone

• Deal peacefully with anger, insults and disagreements

October is anti-bullying month at McClure and around the world. We want every student to be safe to learn and grow.

Sometimes there is confusion about what bullying is and what it isn't. Being rude or mean requires correction and further instruction, but is differerent than bullying in important ways and requires different levels of intervention.

• Some behavior is "rude". Rude is inadvertently saying or doing something that hurts someone else. This often takes the form of social errors like burping in someone's face or cutting in line. Indicents of rudeness are usually spontaneous and unplanned. They are based on thoughtlessness or poor manners, but not meant to actually hurt someone.

• Being mean involves purposefully saying or doing something to hurt someone once or twice. Unlike rudeness, mean behavior is meant to hurt another. Mean behavior is often motivated by angry feelings and/or an attempt to prop oneself up while putting another down.

• Bullying is intentionally aggressive behavior, repeated or has the potential to be repeated over time, that involves an imbalance of power. Kids who bully say or do something intentionally hurtful to others. Bullying includes actions such as making threats, spreading rumors, attacking someone physically or verbally, and excluding someone from a group on purpose.

Parents can play a huge role in helping make our school commuity safe for all!

1. Watch your child for signs of being bullied or exhibiting bullying behavior.
2. Teach your child strategies for walking away, standing up to bullying behavior and being an upstander when someone else is being bullied.
3. Encourage your child to report bullying behavior and follow up with school personnel when needed.

In October we are busy covering topics related to national awareness weeks and our character education program.

Our first week we will be covering Respect. Ask your child what respect feels like, looks like and sounds like to them.

Later in October we will be celebrating Anti-Bullying month and Red Ribbon Week. For anti-bullying week we will be discussing how to be an upstander when you see bullying occuring. We will also discuss the difference between being rude, mean and bullying behavior.

Next will be Red Ribbon Week. The mission of Red Ribbon Week is to keep kids drug free. We will be focusing on health choices across the grade levels.

We will wrap up the month with some Halloween themed lessons on emotions and friendship skills.

HALLOWEEN SAFETY

Everyone loves a good scare on Halloween, but not when it comes to the safety of those little trick-or-treaters. Fortunately, there are lots of easy things parents and kids can do to stay safe on the spookiest of holidays.

Top Tips for Halloween Safety

1. Carry glow sticks or flashlights, use reflective tape or stickers on costumes and bags, and wear light colors to help kids see and be seen by drivers.
2. Join kids under age 12 for trick-or-treating.
3. Slow down and be alert! Kids are excited on Halloween and may dart into the street. Turn on headlights early in the day to spot kids from further away.
4. Remind kids to cross the street at corners or crosswalks.
5. When selecting a costume, make sure it is the right size to prevent trips and falls. Choose face paint over masks when possible. Masks can limit children’s vision.

We've had a great response to our High Five Friday event! Our fall calendar is booked but if you'd like to signup for a spring date please contact me at khight@tps501.org and I will get you more information and the sign up link!

Email: khight@tps501.org
Website: https://sites.google.com/tps501.org/mrshight/home
Phone: 438-4348