Executive Functioning Skills at Work
Executive Function Skill of the Week: Flexibility
I personally love change. I think it's exciting and keeps my brain growing as it grinds through the new neural pathways of learning. In my job, flexibility is also a prime requirement. We literally never know what situations our students will bring on the daily. Ha! So fun. Learning how to go with the flow or adapt to change is a skill that our children must learn in order to be comfortable in their space.
Let's break down another part of flexibility that rEaLLy matters...it's the ability to let someone else be right. You know that stage when your toddler just could not let it go? It had to be their way. Like always. Although sometimes that was super cute at that age, and fairly easy to accommodate, it is way less cute as an elementary student and far more difficult to accommodate in a group of peers. So, building flexible thinking at home is a fabulous way to support your child's success at school and with friendships.
A REALLY fun way to do that is to play, "Yes, and..." This is a game that you can play anywhere as it needs nothing more than your brain and some imagination. Basically, you and your child are stretching your flexibility muscles by creating a story together that can literally go anywhere! Start by saying anything to get the ball rolling. "One day I saw an animal walking down the sidewalk." The next person continues the story, starting with, "Yes, and..." then add to the story. "Yes, and it was a unicorn." (popular kid answer) "Yes, and the unicorn had three horns." (throw out something that goes against the norm that the child will need to accept to keep the story going) "Yes, and it's made out of pink gumballs." (because, kids) "Yes, and so it needs a giant raincoat because it can't get wet." You get the idea! Keep going as long as you can and start a new story whenever you've got time together to enjoy! This is a great game for the family to play at the dinner table. As a parent, it's easy to roll topics into the story that might also help with other issues you may be having.
Next week, during Ready, Set, Grow! we'll be tackling how to handle disappointment appropriately. Flexibility is needed for this skill. One of the best ways to support this skill is through modeling, and talking through possible solutions to get through an inflexible shut-down. "Oh goodness, I wanted to be the first in line, but it's not my turn. I could throw a tantrum, but then I might miss going out to play. Maybe I could ask when it will be my turn to be first." Seems like a lot of work that may make you feel like an oddball, but be flexible, you can do it! All of the natural thinking that goes through your mind as an adult before you speak or act has to be learned, as go with the flow doesn't get installed in every human at birth. Ha! I've met a few adults that could use a little practice, as well.
In the end, flexible people are happier people who make the people around them also feel happier.
So...About Those Coats...
From the chart below, as parents, you know that we will go outside for recess right up until the wind chill is 10 degrees. You probably also know, that actual damage to your child's skin can happen when left uncovered at below-freezing temperatures for extended amounts of time. Coats, hats, gloves are all recommended for recess, arrival and dismissal. Do you need help securing cold-weather gear for your child? Please, reach out to the office, your child's teacher or Mrs. Hargrove. We can help!
If you do have cold-weather gear, please, consider asking Alexa what the weather will be today and send your children to school with appropriate clothing and outerwear. While your child's teacher may cringe as a child runs out onto the frozen tundra that is our playground in a hoodie when a parka would be a better aligned choice, I've told them that they do not have to choose to be the parent for your child in that moment. You sent them in a hoodie, they go out in a hoodie. In the event that you've told them at least three times to take their heavy coat and they declined to follow your directions, then it's going to be a hard lesson to learn when they're freezing at recess. We get it. Hopefully they'll get it!
Thanks for not putting teachers in the cringy position of sending kids out to recess unprepared for the weather. Your parental guidance is appreciated!
Phone Check!
Just throwing it out there...if your child has a phone, social media accounts, or any other tool to communicate on the line with their peers, it's a good practice to be checking in with them to make sure that first, they are communicating kindly; and second, that they are able to handle all that they are exposed to through the apps. Most elementary children are not ready to be tossed into the web that is meant for teen and mature audiences, but many seem to be getting there. Occasionally, online conversations from evenings and weekends do cause a bit of a ruckus during the school day and that's when it becomes my problem. So, I'm asking you to check in with your child to make sure that they are safe and feeling confident in their communications. Much appreciated!
Will Your BE Bulldog Be in the Bee This Year?
That's up to you as a parent! If you have a 3rd, 4th or 5th grader at Belmont, please talk with them about whether or not they'd like to be a participant in this year's spelling bee. We no longer conduct classroom spelling bees, but instead, have opened the bee to all students who live for and love to spell fun words! Mrs. Barcus, our spelling bee coordinator, will make sure that every child signed up by December 16th has a practice list in their hands by December 20. That will allow for plenty of practice time before our Belmont Bee on Monday, January 13 at 2:00pm.
Our building champion will represent Belmont at the Johnson County Spelling Bee. So exciting!
If your 3rd-5th grade child would like to participate in the school bee, they are welcome to do so. Parents may opt-in their child using the form link below.
CLICK HERE to sign your 3rd, 4th or 5th grade word-loving student up for the school spelling bee by Monday, December 16th!! Practice spelling lists will be sent home with students by Friday, December 20.
Our BE Spelling Bee will be held on Monday, January 13 at 2:00 pm in the cafeteria. Parents of spellers are welcome to attend!
Winter PTO Classroom Parties and Celebrations of Learning
December 20th is going to BE a BIG short day of school! We'll be enjoying Winter Wonderland classroom parties, Celebrations of Learning and musical performances by our band and choir.
9:00-9:45 Classroom parties for 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 5th grades- sign up to volunteer below!
10:00-10:20 Kdg. - 2nd grade Celebration of Learning in the gym, families welcome!
10:25-10:45 Musical Performances by Belmont 5th Grade Band and 4th & 5th Grade Treblemakers Choir in the gym, families welcome!
10:50-11:10 3rd - 5th grade Celebration of Learning in the gym, families welcome!
11:15-12:00 Classroom parties for Kindergarten and 4th grades- sign up to volunteer below!
12:10 Dismissal
Join us!
We need THREE MORE special people to join our Connections C team! We've been making the magic work by pulling people from their other jobs, but we would sure rather provide consistency for our students with the same staff every day. How about you? Are you pretty consistent? Do you love kids? Do you think it's pretty cool to work with other pretty cool people? We laugh. We cry. We hug it out. (To be clear...hugging is completely optional.) We celebrate. We learn and we grow. Come grow with us!
Your future "I didn't know how much I'd love it!" opportunity starts by clicking here.
Who Will BE the Next Principal of BE?
It has been and continues to be a great pleasure serving as principal of this place we've built together. When I move out over the summer, I'll be turning over the responsibility to someone new, but with your help, I'm confident that we'll find just the right heart to lead Belmont into the future. Please follow the link below to let the district hiring committee (which will include current Belmont staff) know what characteristics and traits you’re hoping our next principal will bring to Belmont. You’ll be asked to share what you love most about our school, and anything else you’d like to share. This is your opportunity to let your voice be heard. Click here for the BE Principal Parent Input Form
Coming Up at BE:
December 11 🌻 BE Skate Party at Skate City, 6-8pm
December 18 🌻 BE Night at Sombrero's
December 20 🌻 Celebration of Learning
December 20 🌻 12:10 Dismissal
- No Lunch Served
December 23 - January 6 🌻 Winter 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!
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!
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.
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.
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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