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Executive Function Skill of the Week: Self-Control

Weekend check-in, just for fun: Ask your child if they can use their hand to explain to you what it means to flip your lid and why it happens. Most of them will be able to tell you that their fingers up on top represent our thinking brains, and that they cover up our amygdala, that part of our hand where our emotions live. If we flip our lid, we lose our ability to make decisions with our thinking brain and only use our emotions...which can be okay unless they are spewing out over the top because they're all riled up. Hardly anybody is able to make really good choices with only their emotions and without logical thoughts involved. That's how we teach it. Hopefully they'll be able to teach it to you!

Okay. Self-control. It has a few parts.

• 1. Recognizing our emotions and doing something to keep them from blowing up and ruining someone's day. Especially our own. Our favorite strategy is BREATHING. And it's FREE. Big slow breath in. Hold. Slow quiet breath out. Repeat. At least three times. Feel it? Of course you do. It's science. It works.
• You could also stop and picture something that makes you happy. Smile and move on.
• You could also change the subject.
• You could also find someone to help you choose a strategy.
• You could also move your body, get some sun or fresh air, or pop a snack in your mouth.
• 2. Keeping our Focus and Attention on what we're supposed to be doing. Not exactly rocket science. Also not exactly easy. THERE ARE SO MANY DISTRACTING THINGS AROUND US!! A really good strategy for focus is self-talk. Literally notice when your brain (and usually at least one eye) strays. Stop. Tell yourself, "Nope." Turn back to what you are supposed to be doing. We have a BESTRONG strategy that we've taught students over the years that basically does the same thing. BE-to be or not to be paying attention is a choice, make a good choice. ST-Stop and put your...RonG- Radar on Goal by zoning back into your work or your parent or your chores or your driving or whatever you're supposed to be doing that very minute.
• You could also log out of game or turn off the TV.
• You could also put down your phone- especially in the car loop, people! Come on!
• You could move yourself away from what distracts you.
• You could set a timer to help you have boundaries for when to take a break.
• 3. Thinking before acting is just good advice. It also takes us back to the hand brain. As humans, we have the choice to take a beat between actions. Something happens to us...we take a beat...we react in a way that doesn't make things worse. Someone does something unexpected...we think about what might have caused them to act unexpectedly...we make a choice that either helps them or gives grace or gets us out of the way instead of barreling into the unknown. Thinking about the choices we make and the possible consequences of those choices shows maturity of character. We can teach that!! Rather than always telling children what to do, we can help them develop by instead calmly asking, "What do you think will happen if you...?" Then it's natural consequences (if it's safe.)
• You could also ask questions while reading books together.
• You could also model taking a breath when you might want to react without your thinking brain. I get it. Nobody is perfect here.
• Empathy matters.

So that's all of the self-control we're going to talk about for now. Remember that if you've got a sweet nugget who is not yet showing solid self-control, they can get there! It takes a LOT of patience, and a LOT of practice. Thank goodness they've got you!

USD 232 has been an important and strong participant in the Kansas Teacher of the Year Program for many years. De Soto has had fifteen state finalists and thirteen semi-finalists represented in the program since 2000.

We would like to invite you to nominate any teacher whom you consider to be an outstanding and effective educator. This person must have completed 5 years of teaching with at least 2 of them having been in USD 232. If there is a USD 232 educator whom you believe to be outstanding and deserving of special recognition, please use the link below to fill out the nomination form.

Kansas Teacher of the Year Nomination Form

Nomination deadline is noon on Wednesday, December 4, 2024.

November 4 🌻 Site Council Meeting, 4:30

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!

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!

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.

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.

Making a Difference Nomination Link

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Community partner Country Club Bank is providing support to ensure this service is available in USD 232.

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