Greetings, Bryant Families! I hope this newsletter finds you all doing well. I hope you and your families were able to find some rest, relaxation, and a bit of fun over winter break. For the next several weeks, our Social Skills classes will be focused on Problem Solving. As educators, we are constantly striving to equip our young learners with the tools they need not only to succeed academically but also to thrive in all aspects of life. One of the most invaluable skills we aim to instill in our students is problem-solving.
As parents and educators, we play pivotal roles in nurturing and fostering this skill in our children. Here are a few strategies we can employ together to encourage problem-solving skills in our young learners:
1. Encourage a Growth Mindset: Help your child understand that challenges and setbacks are opportunities for growth rather than obstacles. Encourage them to embrace challenges with a positive attitude and view mistakes as valuable learning experiences.
2. Provide Opportunities for Critical Thinking: Engage your child in activities that require critical thinking and decision-making, such as puzzles, brain teasers, and open-ended questions. Encourage them to explore different solutions and evaluate their effectiveness.
3. Model Problem-Solving Behaviors: Children learn by example, so demonstrate problem-solving strategies in your own life. Talk through your decision-making process aloud, show how you approach challenges, and demonstrate resilience in the face of setbacks.
4. Foster Collaboration: Encourage your child to work collaboratively with peers to solve problems. Collaboration not only enhances problem-solving skills but also promotes teamwork, communication, and empathy.
5. Celebrate Successes: Acknowledge and celebrate your child's efforts and successes in problem-solving. Praise their perseverance, creativity, and resourcefulness, regardless of the outcome.
Here at Bryant School, we use the "STEP" model for problem-solving. I encourage you to ask your child/ren about "STEP" and try using it at home! S- Say the Problem T- Think of Solutions E- Explore the Consequences P- Pick the Best Solution.
I look forward to continuing to work with students on building and enhancing these skills. As always, please don't hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or concerns!
Mrs. Ozburn
Another Note from Mrs. Ozburn - School Counselor
Bryant Families,
Bryant is organizing a school-wide fundraiser to donate to the incredible non-profit corporation, Angel Fund. Angel Fund assists students in Helena who qualify for free/reduced lunch with items including clothing, outerwear, school supplies, shoes, and other necessities. This year alone, the Angel Fund supported nearly 100 of our Bryant students!
FUNDRAISER: Mile of Pennies
1 mile = 84,480 pennies! End to end. (That's $844.80!)
CHALLENGE: Students donate enough pennies, and/or other coins & bills, to add up to a mile in length! EX: A student donates $2.00 = 200 PENNIES!
THE CATCH: All classrooms will participate in a school-wide “Classroom Penny Race.” The class that collects the most donations in the school will earn a pizza party!
WHEN: The fundraiser will run from January 13th – January 24th.
Please send pennies or any other coin/cash donations to school with your student(s) during these two weeks. Their classroom teachers will collect the donations.
All donations will be made to Angel Fund and will go towards their “Dueling Pianos” Battle against the Carroll College Athletic Association on February 21st at the Great Northern!
Thank you for all you do to support our students! Let’s tackle this challenge and make a change!
