Happy Fall! We have been working on cooperative group challenges, recess games, and how to be a constructive competitor. Monday marks the first of October. If your child has been working on the Back to School AMRAP Challenge please make sure they get their paper turned in to me by Wednesday, October 3rd. Also, with Monday marking October 1st, I have a new monthly challenge for the students. Please check out the link for the October Pumpkin Dice Latte Challenge. Link: https://tinyurl.com/ycrln93c Paper copies are available outside the gym on the bulletin board. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at kholzschu@harborps.org or call 231-526-4531. Have a great weekend and stay active!

We are excited to announce that we have partnered with a new company this year! Lifetouch Photography will now be servicing our photo needs.

PBIS

(Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports) Program Update

We are excited to continue to grow this schoolwide program for our students at Blackbird and Shay!

Essentially a PBIS program helps student learn school expectations for behavior working with the 3 R’s:

· Responsible

· Respectful

· Ready to Learn.

Each month we will focus on a specific word to be teaching and positively reinforcing with our students We are starting in September with the word RESPONSIBLE. Using a ticket incentive system we hope to capture and develop positive behaviors in regards to friendship and being responsible members of our communities. There will be weekly and monthly drawings where we will recognize our many Ram Role Models. Prizes are school spirit and adventure based items donated by many generous community partners.

We kicked off this program today- Friday September 14th at our weekly assembly where each student was given a Ram Fam T shirt to wear. It is our plan for students to wear these shirts every Friday to promote class/school community. These shirts for your students are provided for free with thanks to the aforementioned generous community members and grants.

Please Note…..

***If you as families would like to support this program by showing your PBIS Ram Fam spirit please see order forms sent home in Friday folders to order adult sized T shirts and sweatshirts. There will also be copies of the order form available in the front offices of both schools.

Any question regarding this please contact Joelle Drader, counselor, at jdrader@harborps.org

September 20, 2018

Dear Parents and Guardians,

I am reaching out to let you know of a small group that I would like to offer at Blackbird/Shay Elementary. It has come to my attention that there may be a desire for a small group to support those students who have experienced changes in their families through divorce, loss or move.

The general goals of a small counseling group are:

1. To help students learn effective communication skills

2. To help students learn valuable coping skills

3. To help students recognize how thoughts, feelings and behaviors are related to their lives and functioning

4. To provide an opportunity for children to help each other through sharing feelings and experiences in a safe environment.

Students that participate in a small group will be expected to abide by small group counseling rules listed on the back of the page. Each small group will meet for approximately 4-6 sessions and have 4-8 students. Time of the group will be determined once I know which students/families are interested.

As a facilitator for this group I will provide students with a safe environment in which to explore their ideas, feelings, attitudes, and hopes along with practicing their skills. This group does not replace outside individual counseling/therapy services as it is not a treatment group but instead a support group. It is possible that approved parent/teacher volunteers may assist with the group.

Please remember small groups are not mandatory and are offered solely to help students struggling with specific concerns. If you are interested in having your child participate in a small group, please fill out the attached Student Information/Parent Permission Form and return it to your child’s teacher or to me. You are the expert on your child, so any information you can give will help me to better meet the needs of your child. Please feel free to call me at 231-526-4656 or email me at jdarder@harborps.org if you have any questions or concerns.

Sincerely,

Joelle L. Drader MD, MA, LPC

Counselor, Blackbird and Shay Elementary School

231-526-4656

jdrader@harbops.org

Try It Singing Session

with music instructor Katherine Ryan

HIGH SCHOOL AND MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS ARE WELCOME!

This FREE Try It singing session is for singers of all abilities and interest. It's for the person who sings everywhere, to the closet singer. For the musical theater lover, to the classical music lover, or for those who love all genres of music. For two weeks only, performer and music educator Katherine Ryan will be introducing different styles of music, from pop and musical theater to jazz, American folk songs, and more! Come have fun with us as you realize your potential as a singer and experience the beauty of singing with others!

High School Sessions start TONIGHT and will run Wednesday, September 19 & 26, and Friday, September 21 & 28 from 3:15pm-4:15pm after school in the Greenroom.

Middle School Sessions will be Tuesday, September 18 & 25 from 3:15pm-4:15pm in the Shay Dance Room.