THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US FOR CONFERENCES!
We had such a nice time visiting with all of you! We know how blessed we are to have caring and supportive parents who just want the best for their children. I hope you know that we are here for your family and love learning with our students. Have a wonderful weekend and we'll see you in the loop on Monday!
Have YOU Heard About the Zones of Regulation?
You may have heard someone talking about the Zones of Regulation during conferences, or maybe you saw some of the awesome Zones work that is hanging in our hallways. In case this is your first time hearing about the Zones, I'm hitting copy and paste from the archives! Please remind me if there is something you want to know more about and I'll get you hooked up with the info!
Going for the GREEN Zone
We've been talking a lot of about collecting green, as in money, for our Bulldogs through the PTO Bulldog Dash FUNdraiser, and as parents, you've heard a lot about that green! What you might not know, is that we talk a lot about another kind of green here at school, and that green is the Green Zone. Throughout the fall (edit: I'm putting it all in this newsletter- remember- I hit copy and paste so thanks for the grace), I'll be sharing with you pieces of a great support system we are using as a reference all over the building. It comes from a book called, Zones of Regulation : A Framework to Foster Self-Regulation & Emotional Control, by Leah Kuypers. We've found this resource to be a wonderful tool for introducing our students to the concept of self-regulation and understanding their own powerful emotions. One of my favorite aspects is that students hear that all emotions or feelings are okay. It's how they affect us and those around us...so what we do with those emotions, that allows us to be safe and successful. Even better, there are tools that we can all learn to help us with all of these feelings. Love that! The language presents four zones, the zones of regulation, that we all travel through at one time or another. To get started, I'll share with you that the green zone is where we need to be in order to be ready to listen, learn, work, perform on the athletic field, and all of those things we do on our own and with others. All of the mindfulness activities and breathing practice contribute to kids becoming aware of their own bodies and the choices they make with them. It's so very empowering. I'll share more and more over the next few months, but I wanted you to know right off the bat about the green zone and the resource we're drawing from as we grow our growth mindset and executive functioning skills at Belmont! Good stuff! Great kids! Strategies all around!
Uh oh. Don't get stuck in the BLUE Zone.
Next, we'll highlight a zone that all of us have found ourselves in at one time or another; the BLUE ZONE. Have you ever felt sick or tired? Lonely? Sad? Hungry? Hangry? Left out? Unimportant? Or literally just sick....or tired. I'm guessing you just said, "Yep!" As an adult, you know that there are things that you can do to help yourself out when you find yourself in the BLUE ZONE. As an adult, you've learned those things through experience; and you have the power to access the help you need all on your own. Sometimes as a child, when the BLUE ZONE takes over, we need help getting back in the green. Thank goodness our kids all have great parents and teachers to help!
Here are some reminders you might find helpful when it comes to helping your sweet Bulldogs avoid the BLUE ZONE before they even leave home:
- Develop healthy routines for responsibilities at home like chores and homework so that children learn to find balance- it's a great stress reducer. Success fuels success.
- Develop and enforce quality sleep schedules- kids need more sleep than they believe they need. Tired brains find it difficult to make good choices, but rested brains have greater access to problem-solving abilities.
- Encourage healthy meals and snacks for the entire family- try something new every week and limit treats that add little nutritional value because they are less likely to support great brain growth. Our bodies need fuel to produce at top efficiency.
- Play games together and be sure to include lots of exercise and movement to get that blood moving and oxygen pumping through those blood cells. During exercise, serotonin is released in your body and can positively affect your mood.
- Breathe, listen, breathe, listen, breathe........you get the idea. As parents, when we slow down and provide a positive example of balance, our modeling is well-noted by our children. Taking time to breathe with your children, and listening to them, helps them learn to speak up and self-advocate when they find themselves in the BLUE ZONE and need help to access their strategy. Like, "May I have a snack?" or "May I run a lap?" or "May I read a happy story to relax?" When we as adults, can take time to listen to children, we may find that they truly are able to find their own best solutions without us always trying to fix it for them. And THAT, my friends, is empowering! Here comes the GREEN ZONE!
We're So EXCITED!! (So We're Probably in the YELLOW Zone)
Continuing our highlight of the Zones, from, Zones of Regulation : A Framework to Foster Self-Regulation & Emotional Control, by Leah Kuypers, let's dive into the YELLOW ZONE.
The YELLOW ZONE is another very familiar place for most of us. It's a zone where we're a little bit excited, maybe giggly or wiggly or chatty. Sometimes that's completely awesome and we need to be there! Unless it's not one of those okay times. Or, we might be antsy or nervous. We may be embarrassed, confused or frustrated. We could be worried or distracted by something in our environment or just something rolling through our brain. There are LOTS of reasons to be in the yellow zone and LOTS of behaviors that pop up when that's where we find ourselves. Here's the very BEST news!! Even children, when they possess the right tools in their toolbox, can help themselves settle from the Yellow Zone back into the Green Zone when needed. LOVE that!
Our students have begun learning all kinds of strategies that they can apply whenever they need to get into the green. Some easy-peasy ones that you might ask them to show you at home are: Breathing, taking a stretch or movement break, listening to classical instrumental music (55 beats per minute), positive self-talk, massaging pressure points on the ear lobes, face or hands, or visiting a calming corner or other safe and comfy place to regroup. The use of non-verbal signals or visuals is a great teacher strategy to help kiddos move from yellow to green. Most of these strategies are doable literally anywhere. As adults, we use them, too! Please take time to model for your children by talking through when YOU are making use of a strategy. Are you trying to finish a project for work at home and getting distracted? Say, "Man, I'm having trouble focusing on my work! I think I'll take a quick walk to clear my brain. Wanna come?" Or maybe, "I'm feeling a little bit nervous about that storm out there. I'm thinking if we put on some music and read a story it'll take my mind right off it and I'll be able to relax. What should we read?" You will find that your children will soon be the ones noticing everyone's zone and making suggestions for working strategies. Sometimes the Yellow Zone is a fun and exciting place to be and it's absolutely fine to stay there- like if you're watching a really exciting game. Other times, we've got work to do or responsibilities to attend to and that's when having a toolbox full of strategies can save the moment!
With all of the zones we've highlighted so far, self-awareness is the primary goal. When we recognize what's happening in our bodies, it's easier to know what to do about it so that we can be our best....and recognize that, too! Loving this journey with your children!
Uh oh! We're WAY TOO EXCITED!! Or ANGRY!! Or TERRIFIED!! (So We've entered the RED Zone) Help, please!
Continuing our highlight of the Zones, from, Zones of Regulation : A Framework to Foster Self-Regulation & Emotional Control, by Leah Kuypers, let's check in on the last section....the RED ZONE.
The RED ZONE is absolutely packed with emotion. In fact, it's a zone where our emotions are so big we can't see or function or make good decisions around them. Again, red zone feelings may be positive or negative. The deal is, they take over. When our emotions take over we are straight up in our fight or flight mode if we're scared or angry. Alternately, we could be so elated about something that we just can't focus on anything else to save ourselves. In situations that involve these straight-from-the-amygdala feelings and reactions, we usually need help. As adults, it's our job to be there to provide the structure and support that our children and students need to calm enough to get back down to the yellow zone where they can access the strategies in their own toolboxes to get themselves back to the green zone. Whew! It can be a lot of work to get out of the red. Kids might need space, or time, or physical comfort, or calming talk, or that special item that helps them think of something soothing and gives them time to breathe their racing hearts. We're honored to be here for your children when you can't be. It's always okay to get help when we need it. Please never be afraid to ask for help if you ever need it as an adult, too! It's just another beautiful model for your children. If you find that someone in your house is heading into the red zone quite often, there might be a need to seek out further help. Please, know that Mrs. Morrow, our counselor, and Mr. McMorris, our Social Worker, are always willing to listen or share community resources as needed. Your children drive my days and fill my heart. You matter to me, too, though, because your children love and need you most! Thank you for sharing them with me. Always reaching for the green!
Making A Difference Staff Recognition
We are blessed to have such an amazing team here at Belmont! Would you love an opportunity to formally show appreciation...without spending a dime? Through the generosity of the Great American Bank and the USD 232 Education Foundation, we have the opportunity to recognize staff members who go above and beyond in their daily interactions with students. All you need to do is click on the link below and fill out some general information about the deserving nominee. Thank you for helping our team know that their dedication is appreciated. I appreciate your time and gift of gratitude if you've recently nominated, or plan to nominate a Belmont team member for their service.
Coming Up at BE:
September 27 🌻 Building Closed
- No School for Students
October 2 🌻 BE Night at Papa Murphy's Pizza
October 14 🌻 PTO Meeting, Cafeteria (enter on west side), 6:30pm
October 17 🌻 End of 1st Quarter
October 18 and 21 🌻 Professional Development Day
- No School for Students
October 24 🌻 3rd Grade Music Program, 9:00am and 6:30pm
November 7 🌻 4th Grade Music Program, 9:00am and 6:30pm
November 8 🌻 Picture Retake Day
November 18 🌻 PTO Meeting, Cafeteria (enter on west side), 6:30pm
November 25-29 🌻 Thanksgiving Break
- No School for Students
Visit the BE Online Calendar of Events (by clicking on the button below) for a more complete list of activities!
WatchDOGS Wednesdays!!
It's a WatchDOGS revival in the Belmont DogHouse! With at least a week's notice, we'll welcome a DAD (gotta be a significant adult guardian or relation) each Wednesday to work a day at BE. There will be a schedule provided that will include a variety of tasks including building safety, academic assistance in classrooms, and logistical support during lunch, and the reward...RECESS! We guarantee you'll have the opportunity to enjoy lunch and recess with your own child(ren) and around that, we'll put you to work in the classrooms where your extra hands will be the most helpful! Do YOU have the opportunity to take a day off to hang out with about 370 beautiful children and the adults who love learning with them?
Access the WatchDOGS Sign Up HERE.
Now Accepting Reservations for BE Family Luncheon Seating
11:00-11:30 1st Grade
11:20-11:50 Kindergarten
11:40-12:10 5th Grade
12:00-12:30 4th Grade
12:20-12:50 3rd Grade
12:40-1:10 2nd Grade
Reservations are required to join your child for lunch- when we are ready, you'll be able to CLICK HERE to reserve your family table!
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You'll find us at:
Email: phargrove@usd232.org
Website: be.usd232.org
Location: 5805 Belmont Drive, Shawnee, KS 66226, United States
Phone: (913)667-1810
Facebook: Belmont Elementary Bulldogs
Twitter: @BEBulldogs