The Connection Corner
Your "Whole Child Hub"
Welcome back to your "Whole Child Hub"!
Managing Peer Conflicts
Not all peer conflict is bad. We must keep in mind that peer conflict contributes to children's development and represents an important form of social interaction. It is through conflicts that children and young people develop the necessary social and emotional skills to face future difficulties in adult life.
It is important that we support children through these conflicts so they learn the appropriate coping skills. Children need to practice these skills while they are young with adult support, so they can cope with conflict later in life.
Step 1: Identify the feelings.
Use a feelings chart or a visual like a stop light or feelings thermometer to help your child identify how they are feeling.
Step 2: Pinpoint the source.
Help your child talk about why they feel the way they do. It's best to try to get to the root of the problem.
Step 3: Brainstorm possible solutions.
Your child may need your support with this step depending on their age and development. Brainstorm all the possible solutions and possible outcomes of those solutions. Work together to come up with the best response.
Step 4: See all the sides.
Help your child see the other person's point of view. This will help them see the big picture of the problem. It also helps them to build empathy for others. You can use phrases like, "Put yourself in their shoes." This can also help prevent future conflicts.
Tips:
- Stay Calm - Remember, model for your child how you would want to see them to act.
- Do not solve the problem FOR them - Help them come up with solutions, but do not step in and solve it for them. This will help in the short-term, but will not help them learn problem-solving skills in the long-term.
Why do we lose control of our emotions?
Have you heard about the "Upstairs Brain" and the "Downstairs Brain"?
The upstairs brain is the rational brain that is responsible for high-level thinking and decision-making, while the downstairs brain controls basic functions and emotional reactions.
Have you heard the phrase "flip your lid"?
When you "flip your lid" it means that your feelings get so big that you lose control of your ability to think and act clearly. This is what happens when the lower parts of our brain take over (fight, flight or freeze) and our cortical, or thinking, brain becomes disconnected. This is also referred to as dysregulation.
How you can help your child when they are dysregulated, or they have "flipped their lid"?
1. Stay Calm - Children learn how to handle tough situations by watching how the adults in their life handle tough situations.
2. Validate their emotions and help them name their feelings. "Wow, you seem really upset." "I can see you are sad."
3. Help them regulate and listen empathetically. "Do you want to talk about why you are upset?" "Do you want a hug?"
I just got a call from the principal!
When you receive a call from the principal's office, it's natural to feel a surge of emotions. Rest assured, our building administrators are here to collaborate and support your child's growth. Here are some tips for navigating this conversation:
1. Listen attentively to understand the full story before drawing conclusions.
2. Recognize that the incident has been thoroughly investigated by the school administrator.
3. Our goal is to uncover the underlying reasons behind the behavior and work together to prevent future occurrences.
4. Please understand that while we value transparency, confidentiality is maintained regarding other students involved.
5. Each situation is unique, and consequences are applied thoughtfully, following the continuum of disciplinary measures outlined in the student handbook.
6. We strive to foster accountability and growth in our students. Your partnership in reinforcing the importance of accepting responsibility for actions is invaluable.
Vernon Hills High School VIP Club Visits 5th Graders!
Vernon Hills High School VIP (Voices In Prevention) Club visited all the 5th grade classes this past month to present skits relevant to our students.
Skits included topics such as:
-Social media
-Substitute teachers
-Feeling left out
-Homework and stress
-Respecting differences
and more!
The skits were super engaging and the students loved having this special assembly! Thank you to the VIP students from Vernon Hills High School!
SEL Everywhere!
This month, the power of SEL skills in action was evident all around our schools!
Here are some heartwarming moments:
- At Elementary North, students cheered each other on during the climbing unit.
- At Dual Language, students showed appreciation for their teacher's award by making her a thoughtful card.
- At Middle School South, students displayed kindness by holding the door open for a staff member as they entered a classroom.
SEL is woven into the fabric of our daily interactions. We strive to cultivate kind, compassionate individuals who contribute positively to society. The skills our students learn today are the building blocks for a brighter tomorrow. Thank you for being part of this journey with us!
LIKE: Documentary Screening
On Friday, April 5th all middle school students will participate in a special schedule to engage in learning around social media awareness. This includes watching the documentary ‘LIKE.’ This documentary explains why we find social media so irresistible and its impact on our lives. The film also provides students with tools to navigate social media in safer and more effective ways. It features Silicon Valley entrepreneurs, including the co-creator of the ‘LIKE’ button, experts in brain science, and students. Parents and guardians from all grade levels are invited to join us for a screening of ‘LIKE’ on April 4th at 7:00 p.m. via Google Meets. Click here to view the event flier and access the event link here. We hope you will join us!
- April 4, 2024
- 7:00 - 8:00 PM
- Virtual
Belonging: The Science of Making Connections
You are invited to attend a special Family Action Network event hosted by Stevenson High School in the Stevenson Auditorium. This event is free and no registration is required. For more information about the Family Action Network, or to view previous events, check out their YouTube Channel.
- April 15, 2024
- 7:00 - 8:00 PM
- In-Person/Stevenson Performing Arts Center
Social Workers
Our students benefit from access to school social work services. Our social workers provide ongoing support in several ways. They collaborate regularly with grade-level teams to promote a positive school climate for all students, and help support staff in using instructional practices that support social-emotional learning across all subjects. Our social workers may also lead class lessons or work in small groups with students to provide more targeted support.
District Social Workers:
Meghan Frazier - Lincoln School - frazierm@hawthorn73.org
Rhonda Malina - Hawthorn School for Young Learners - malinar@hawthorn73.org
Shelby Behrens - Aspen, Dual Language - behrenss@hawthorn73.org
Andrew Meyers - Aspen -meyersa@hawthorn73.org
Julie Gange - Dual Language - gangej@hawthorn73.org
Kathleen Falotico - Townline - faloticok@hawthorn73.org
Paul Mazzetta - Elementary North - mazzettap@hawthorn73.org
Connie Travis - Elementary North - travisc@hawthorn73.org
Nesrin Unlu - Elementary South - unlun@hawthorn73.org
Brittany Langton - Elementary South - langtonb@hawthorn73.org
Lauren Brownstein - Middle School South - brownsteinl@hawthorn73.org
Amunn Jaffery - Middle School South - jafferya@hawthorn73.org
Jaime Medbery - Middle School South - medberyj@hawthorn73.org
Brian Van - Middle School North - vanb@hawthorn73.org
Kelli Cordes - Middle School North - cordesk@hawthorn73.org
Scarlett Davalos - Middle School North - davaloss@hawthorn73.org
Connect with ME!
Megan Goldman
Social, Emotional, Behavioral Coordinator
847-990-4269
Follow me on X (formerly known as Twitter) @D73SOARS
Check out my YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCj-L3MVWzHT7xxgWytCWmYA