bower hill counseling newsletter fall 2013 fred … conversation fall 20133.pdfrepetitive. the dough...
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Important DatesThis year during Read For The Record students listened to the book Otis by Sophia Long.
It is the story of the old reliable tractor Otis, who comforts a cow on the farm only to be displaced by the newest big tractor. Otis becomes relegated to the weeds behind the
barn. Until…he is called
on to act calmly, heroically and selflessly to save his friend, who is stuck in the mud. His
heroism and concern for a friend are themes that will appeal to young readers and old. Another theme that is brought forth is the idea of the “old reliable, dependable” tractor. My father had one, a John Deere, from the 1950s. My brother now cares for and uses this old tractor on his tree nursery in Eastern PA. It sits alongside Bobcats, forklifts, and a newer tractor (which is pushing 30 years old!) It has me thinking about how things that are new are not necessarily better. One day while decluttering I set
aside some toys that I thought my children had long outgrown only to find them playing with them and ultimately begging to keep them. To this day they love
visiting their grandparents’ houses to play with the toys that we had as children - the old skateboard with its tiny deck, or the rusted matchbox cars. These offer a break from the app-fueled smart phones and instagram posts. It is an opportunity to slow down the pace and enjoy what is before us in the here and now. Thanks to Otis, a new book, we can help preserve and value the tried and true things that should not be forgotten … or put behind the barn. Please continue the conversation.
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BOWER HILL COUNSELING NEWSLETTER
FALL 2013
Friendship: “Friendship is the hardest thing in the world to explain. It's not something you learn in school. But if you haven't learned the meaning of friendship, you really haven't learned
anything.”
― Muhammad Ali
CONTACT
Fred Traumuller
School Counselor
Phone: 724.941.0913 x2101
Pam Slomiany
Counseling Secretary
Phone 724.941.0913 x2110
November
22 – Red & White Day
27 – Faculty In Service Day
28-29 - Thanksgiving Break
December
2 - No School
4 –PTA Meeting 9:00 AM
13 – Red & White Day
19 – Polar Express Day (Pajama Day)
20 – Holiday Parties
23 – 1– Holiday Break
January
20 -21- No School
31 – Red & White Day
31 – Family Fun & Fitness
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Please Contact Your Guidance Counselor If You Need:
Where To Turn Referrals – Including Individual or Family Counseling, Mental Health Services, Grief
Counseling and additional Child Resources (Referrals can be found on the Bower Hill Website) - Tutor
List - Concerns about Bullying, Social Issues, Academic Success, or Grades - Questions Regarding
Special Education Testing or Gifted Support - Transitioning Questions or Concerns
Relay for LifeBower Hill Elementary is proud to say that last year we raised over $8,000 for Relay for Life. Led by Donna Hartz, the staff at Bower Hill worked together to raise money by:
•Themed lunches
•Jean’s Day (employees make a donation to their favorite charity in order to wear jeans on Friday’s)
•Penny Wars
•Bistro Baskets
•Nibbles and Bits ( Susan Bailey and staff donate snacks, soda and coffee to be sold at BH)
Donna is diligently working to obtain items for the Relay for Life Basket Raffle held at Bower Hill Bistro on Friday, April 25. If Parents would like to donate a basket or an item for a basket, please label with Donna Hartz name and place in the PTA basket. We would appreciate any donations.
Third grade classrooms joined together to help worthy causes and at the same time learned valuable lessons in economics, careers, caring and responsibility. Classrooms made and donated blankets, scarves, placemats and wreaths. They were donated to the Linus Project, Family Promise, the Washington City Mission, McMurray Hills Manor. The third grade hosted an economics fair at Bower Hill. Representatives from the organizations were invited to attend, speak and receive the donated products. During the presentation students learned about: goods and services, producers and consumers, capital and human resources, and public services.
3RD GRADE ECONOMICS FAIR
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We often strive to seek out the newest book, article
or app when working with children. Often times
the tried and true resources are forgotten like the
old tractor in Otis. Here are a few that still connect
with students.
DUSODUSO has been around so
long I can almost remember
the sound of my elementary
teacher lowering the needle of
the classroom record player to
play the DUSO theme song. Kindergarten and 1st
grade still love to be introduced to a few
underwater characters that share positive ways to
care for friends and accept unique qualities in
others.
Happiness is a Warm PuppyEach page starts off with
“Happiness is…” By the end of
the lesson kindergartners share
what makes them happy, sad
and angry. All feelings are OK.
The Bernstain Bears and the Homework Hassle
I have laughed to the
Berenstain Bears since before
I could read. Through this
story Brother Bear AND Father
Bear learn the importance of
putting “first things first.”
Share some of your favorite books from childhood
over the Thanksgiving Holiday!
DUSO and The Peanuts- “Oldies But Goodies”
Adults are not the only ones who feel stress, worry, or anxiety.
This can have a great impact on the learning of children. In
these busy times the affects of stress in children may manifest
as irritability, moodiness, crying and withdrawal from activities.
Here are a few tools for calming down when stress rears it’s
head.
1. Large movements – Large rhythmic movements – running,
dancing, swimming, jumping rope, hiking in the woods –
reduce anger and frustration
2.Bake bread – Kneading bread can be
very soothing. The movement is
repetitive. The dough is slightly warm
and the smell when it bakes is
wonderful.
3.Take a warm bath – For many
people water is soothing. It can be a
bubble bath, shower, splashing in
water or even listening to a little
water fountain.
4. Make silly faces – Laughter is a wonderful way to defuse the
tension and bring people together. It is particularly helpful
when the humor is kind, not putting anyone down.
5. Visualize a calm place – A calm place can be a place you
have visited, a cozy bed, or rocking in Grandma’s lap.
6. Draw a picture – Drawing
can be an excellent way to
release feelings. The
person can focus on
drawing his feelings or
what he would like to do.
7.Use
positive self-talk – Self-talk
strongly colors the mind. It
impacts what we feel, see,
and do.
CALMING DOWN Children’s Literature
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The Caring Place
Often we shy away from talking about death and dying. We don’t want to say the “wrong thing” or create sadness or worry in ourselves or others. It can be too painful.
I would like to share with you a wonderful organization that works with grieving families in the Pittsburgh area. Since 1996 The Highmark Caring Place has offered support for families that have lost a loved one by “helping children (and adults) understand they're not alone in their grief, provide peer support to children and families who are grieving the death of a loved one, provide a safe place with safe people so that the children can share their grief, their feelings and their memories.”
During evening “family nights” families are invited to eat dinner and take part in small non-therapeutic groups. They memorialize the loved one who has died. Families work together to make quilts for their deceased family member. Last year I had the opportunity to visit The
Highmark Caring Place. I was overcome with emotion as I walked the rooms and viewed the quilts; each one telling a special story. What a wonderful organization that is truly doing heroic work with so many grieving families. For more information check out
www.highmarkcaringplace.com.
Veteran’s DayIn honor of Veteran’s Day, Bower Hill students partnered with Applebee’s Restaurant in McMurray to provide poppy centerpieces and decorations for the restaurant. Letters were collected and provided to Veterans during the evening. Students assisted the Washngton County Civil Air Patrol Squadron in handing out cards and letters on this important evening. There were many heartfelt responses from the veterans. Next time you are at Bower Hill check out the beautiful showcase designed by Mrs. Parker.