The Bee Well Buzz

To start off the school year, students were challenged to reflect on who they are and what makes them an important member of the Allendale school community. Through two different activities, students thought about how they put the ALL in ALLendale.

Name plates were designed by each student to be displayed on the front of student desks. The name plates were meant to display who students are as well as to serve the purpose of giving students ownership over a desk that will be their learning space for the whole year. Students also completed a Me Behind the Mask activity that was able to show their self portraits both with and without a mask as well as revealing some specific details about themselves. Both projects are displayed in the school for students to reference when they need a boost or to remember what makes them unique and valued in our schools.

The New Jersey Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights Act requires that the week beginning with the first Monday in October of each year be designated as the Week of Respect in New Jersey. In recognition of the importance of social and emotional learning and wellness education, school districts are required to observe the week by providing age-appropriate instruction and activities focusing on preventing harassment, intimidation, and bullying. The purpose of the Week of Respect is to teach students how to respect others, our school, our community, and ourselves, Students participated in wearing themed clothing during respect week to highlight how to demonstrate respect for themselves and others. We also encourage you to have discussions with your children at home in regards to the importance of demonstrating respect and being kind.

Answering this question may not be easy for everyone. Respect seems like such a foundational concept, but it may be challenging for us, as adults, to define as we try to address our young learners.

Respect is an act of giving attention or showing care to oneself or others. Showing respect is when you care how your actions impact another person. Treating someone with respect means that you interact with them in a way that shows you care about how they feel. When you respect someone, you treat them kindly and use good manners. These sentiments should exist at the very core of every person on the planet.

Respect is so important because, without it, children can't value themselves or others. Children who don't respect themselves are more likely to make poor decisions. Children who lack self-respect simply don't care about themselves or anyone else. Positive self-talk and confidence building activities can help to increase a child's sense of self respect.

For children, respect towards others is a learned behavior that can only be internalized by watching those around them. It is important to model respectful behavior.

There is also a multitude of literature based resources to use with lessons and themes of respect, such as the read aloud below Do Unto Otters!

November is a great month to focus on gratitude with the observance of Veterans Day as well as Thanksgiving. Conversations and lessons in classes largely focused on things that students were grateful for, as well as ways to demonstrate their gratitude. Many classes participated in an activity to make cards for active duty military personnel as we approach the holiday season. These seemingly simple tasks have a large impact on students and their ability to have a mindset and attitude centered around giving thanks. Students in kindergarten also had gratitude included in their social and emotional learning classes with gratitude meditations.

Self-confidence has such an immense impact in the lives of every human being. Not only does it affect our sense of self-worth but also how we interact with those around us. Practicing self-love and knowing that each person serves their own unique purpose is only a beginning step in the process.

Many of us have hear the phrase "confidence is key" but only few realize what can be unlocked with self-confidence. Through activities meant to uncover our best qualities, talents, and contributions students will be guided through discovering their own personal value. Below, you will find a video that you can share with your students that includes a yoga sequence meant to help kids build confidence.

Email: cdries@allendalek8.com
Website: https://www.allendalek8.com/domain/205
Location: 89 Hillside Avenue, Allendale, NJ, USA
Phone: (201) 327-2020
Facebook: facebook.com/hillsideschoolnj/
Twitter: @HillsideSchool3