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View the following
Vaile newsletter in Spanish
Dear Vaile Parents,
Again this year we will be using a curriculum called Second Step to
help us think about, develop, and practice positive social skills.
Research tells us that children who learn appropriate social skills and
then use the skills are more likely to get along with others and do well
in school.
The Vaile staff will continue to assist the students to:
- Be respectful
- Be trustworthy
- Be responsible
- Be problem solvers
- Persevere
This is our fourth year to focus on these areas. You will find these
words posted in every classroom and in the hall. The Second Step program
takes this one step further. Students will have weekly lessons that teach
empathy, impulse control & problem solving, and anger management. We will
also continue with our bullying lessons taught by Jenny Beisner.
Empathy means identifying and understanding others’ feelings in order
to be a more caring person. Caring about others gives us a reason to want
to solve problems so that others are not hurt.
Impulse Control and Problem Solving Managing emotions can be
challenging. Most students could benefit by learning to slow down and
think through options when faced with difficult situations or problems. We
will teach students a five step process to solve problems:
- What is the problem?
- What are some solutions?
- For each solution, ask: Is it safe? How might people feel? Is it
fair? Will it work?
- Choose a solution and use it.
- Is it working? If not, what can I do now?
Anger Management. Students will learn that conflicts are a normal part
of life. Everyone gets angry at times. Anger is not a bad emotion, but
what a person does when angry can be a problem. Students will be taught
what to do when they are angry.
- How does my body feel?
- Calm down. Take three deep breaths. Count backward slowly. Think
nice thoughts. Talk to yourself (tell yourself to calm down).
- Think out loud to solve the problem (using the problem solving
steps).
- Think about it later.
Hill’s Pet Nutrition donated funds to help with the purchasing of these
materials for Vaile. We are very appreciative of their donations and
support.
We know that you will want to join us in helping students develop these
skills by reinforcing some of them at home when appropriate. Thank you for
everything you do to make Vaile a great place.
A reminder that you can access Richmond Community School board minutes,
up-to- date information about Richmond Community Schools, and information
about Vaile Elementary and other schools in the district by visiting our
web site at www.rcs.k12.in.us
You can also access our ISTEP+ data by visiting the Indiana Department
of Education web site at
www.doe.state.in.us
Instructional time is valuable. We ask that you make any needed
arrangements for after school pick-up before your child leaves in the
morning. We do not want to interrupt learning unless it is an emergency.
Students need to be in class and ready to begin their daily activities
by 7:50. Our dismissal time is 2:40 on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and
Friday. We dismiss at 1:40 on Tuesday. We need for all our students to be
here daily and on time. Attendance is a priority at Vaile. Please schedule
all appointments after school hours. Please remember to drive safely
especially during drop off and pick up times. We have many wonderful kids
and we need your support to help keep our students safe. If you are in a
hurry and do not have time to wait, I suggest that you do not pull into
the circle drive. There are alternative drop-off locations available;
these options include dropping off your child at the corner or on one of
the side streets. We will have one lane for dropping off students before
and after school. The back parking lot will not be available for pick up
after school. Please make sure your child knows to cross the street at the
cross walk. If you need to come into the building to talk with one of us,
please park your car in a parking spot. Please do not park in the front of
the building during drop-off times in the AM.
If your child is not eating breakfast s/he should not be arriving until
7:40. If your child is eating breakfast s/he should not be arriving until
7:15. Supervision is not provided before this time. Please do not leave
your child unsupervised.
When we have a two-hour delay, school will start at 9:50. Breakfast is not
served when we are on a two-hour delay. We will open the doors at 9:40.
Please do not send your child to school before this time. You can access
school closings/delays by going to the Richmond Community Schools web
site, listening to the radio, or watching television. Please make sure the
Vaile office has a current phone number so we can send you a One Call
message when we have delays.
Sincerely,
Tammy Rhoades, Principal
Very Artistic Intelligent Leaders of Education |
