SES Student Advocate Newsletter
Social Emotional Learning and Character Education
Dear Sewanee Elementary Students and Families,
Welcome Back & Happy 2026!
Happy New Year! I am so thrilled to be back at school and looking forward to everything this new year has in store for us. The start of a new year is such a wonderful opportunity for our students to set new goals, reach milestones, and celebrate their accomplishments. Let’s work together to make 2026 a fantastic year for every child!
January Lesson: Chill Out and Grow
This month, our lessons will focus on Mindfulness and Mindset. We are teaching students how to move from a "Frozen" mindset to a "Flowing" mindset. Using the imagery of a melting snowman, students will explore how their bodies and minds work together to handle challenges and stress.
Key Concepts We Are Covering:
What is Mindfulness? Learning to be present and noticing how our bodies feel in the moment.
What is Mindset? Understanding that our brains are like muscles that can grow and change.
The Power of "YET": Students are learning to "melt" frozen thoughts (like "I can't do this") by simply adding the word YET ("I can't do this yet").
The Mindful Melt: We are participating in creative activities that encourage students to use their imaginations and think outside the box to solve problems.
In addition to our "Mindful Melt" activities, our Kindergarten and First Grade students will have an additional lesson specifically focused on Setting Goals and Expectations. We will discuss what it looks like to be a successful learner in 2026 and how to break down big "new year" dreams into small, achievable steps. This helps our youngest learners build confidence as they navigate the second half of the school year.
Here to Support You
My primary goal is to support our students’ social, emotional, and academic well-being. If you have any concerns regarding your student’s goals or emotional needs as we start this new semester, please do not hesitate to reach out. I am here to help!
Let’s make 2026 a year of growth and flowing mindsets!
Kim Hasty, M.S.
SES Student Advocate
The Mindful Melt
The Melting Mindset
The state of Tennessee requires that Erin's Law be taught to all children in pre-kindergarten through high school on the topics of sexual abuse awareness, education, and prevention. Students will learn about three essential topics: differentiating good touch from bad or wrong touch, understanding personal boundaries; and the “Shout, Run, Tell” rule to use if they are in an uncomfortable situation.
The following information about Erin's Law and the Joint Task Force on Children's Justice and Child Sexual Abuse is from the State of Tennessee website https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/education/health-&-safety/Erins_Law_Guidelines_2022_Final.pdf.
What is Erin’s Law? Erin’s Law focuses on preventing child sexual abuse and was signed into law in Tennessee in 2014. This law encourages schools across the state to provide age-appropriate instruction to students on personal body safety and how to report sexual abuse, including such abuse which may occur in the child’s home for grades K-12. The bill is named after Erin Merryn, an Illinois native who was sexually abused as a child. For more information on Erin’s Law, please visit http://www.tn.gov/sos/acts/108/pub/pc0706.pdf and www.erinslaw.org .
Please look for a letter in your student's folder in the upcoming week with more information about this lesson. Also, please do not hesitate to contact me for additional information.
New Year's Day
January 1, 2026
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
January 19, 2026
Homework Hotline
Campora Family Resource Center
Franklin County School District
Sleep In Heavenly Peace
Tennessee Suicide Prevention Network
