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Hello Wright Vikings! ☺️🖤
Don't Forget to Follow Our Account for School Life Updates:✅
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BASC -3 BESS SMALL GROUPS
The El Monte City School District’s (EMCSD) vision is to be an innovative school district where students achieve at their highest potential. There is evidence that students who struggle with social, emotional, and behavioral concerns often have lower academic achievement; however, studies have shown that early identification, support, and intervention improves student outcomes. Similar to routine hearing, vision, and learning difficulty screenings, EMCSD has broadened screening efforts to also include social-emotional and behavioral wellness.
All schools administered a universal screener for all students called the BASC-3 Behavioral and Emotional Screening System (BASC-3 BESS). The BASC-3 BESS is a brief screening designed to assist schools in determining student strengths and weaknesses. This information will be used to assist EMCSD in the early identification of students with social-emotional and behavioral needs as well as to provide prevention, intervention, and support to benefit all students.
In the next two weeks, I will be contacting families whose children have been identified through their BASC3 screener results as benefiting from participating in a small group targeting:
- K-3 : Self-Regulation
- 4-8 - Coping Skills
Although these groups would be beneficial to all students, a small selection will be provided this opportunity at this moment. Below you can take a sneak peak at the informed consent form that will be sent home to each student. You may also provide verbal consent via parent square/phone call.
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BASC- Coping Skills Group .docx.pdf
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Download
1.8 MB
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Habit # 7: Sharpen the Saw
The Habit of Daily Self-Renewal
This habit is called Sharpen the Saw because dull or rusty tools are much less effective than clean and sharp tools. The same is true for us. This habit is about preserving and enhancing the greatest asset we have to deal with life and contribute—ourselves. It’s about balancing the four dimensions of body, heart, mind, and spirit.
As we spend time on each of these four dimensions of self, we create growth and change in our lives. We have the energy and vitality to practice the other six habits. We increase our capacity to produce results and handle the challenges around us.
Without spending regular time on renewal, we’ll quickly find ourselves on the path to burnout and exhaustion.
The Four Human Dimensions
To achieve balance in our self-care means taking the necessary time to renew each of the four human dimensions.
- Body:
- Exercising, eating well, getting enough sleep
- Heart:
- Investing in our relationships
- Mind:
- Growing our knowledge and skill
- Spirit:
- Spending time on activities that align with our deepest values
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Sewing our Worries Away
At the recent GEMS Crafting Club event, students engaged in a hands-on sewing activity using plastic needles on blank burlap sack canvases. This project allowed them to explore their creativity while learning basic sewing techniques in a safe and accessible way.
Each student started with a blank burlap sack, which provided a rustic and textured canvas for their designs. Using colorful threads, they created patterns, images, or even personal messages, transforming the plain sacks into unique works of art. The use of plastic needles made it easy for younger students or beginners to participate without the worry of sharp tools.
As they sewed, students collaborated, shared ideas, and encouraged each other, fostering a sense of community within the club. The final creations were not only visually appealing but also served as a testament to the students' creativity and newfound skills in sewing. This event was a wonderful opportunity for students to express themselves and enjoy the crafting process together!
4o mini
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Canvas art that Warms Our Hearts
In October, the GEMS Crafting Club received small blank canvases, and each student was excited to create their own individual art pieces. With complete creative freedom, students explored their artistic visions and expressed themselves through painting.
The event began with each student selecting their canvas and gathering supplies like paints, brushes, and palettes. They were encouraged to think about what they wanted to convey, whether it was a personal theme, an abstract idea, or something inspired by nature.
As they painted, the atmosphere buzzed with creativity and collaboration. Students shared techniques, provided feedback, and celebrated each other's progress. Some focused on vibrant colors and bold patterns, while others chose more subdued tones and intricate designs.
By the end of the session, each student had crafted a unique piece of art that reflected their personality and style. These individual canvases were later displayed together, creating a colorful gallery that showcased the diverse talents and imaginations of the GEMS Crafting Club members. The event not only highlighted their artistic skills but also fostered a sense of community and pride in their creative expressions.
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Bullying Prevention Campaign
Our Bullying Prevention Campaign, "Take a Stand, Lend a Hand," offered students valuable opportunities to practice being upstanders in their school community. Throughout the campaign, we emphasized the importance of taking action against bullying and supporting one another.
Students participated in various activities designed to promote awareness and encourage positive behavior. Workshops and discussions focused on recognizing bullying, understanding its impact, and developing skills to intervene effectively. Interactive role-playing scenarios allowed students to practice responding to bullying situations in a safe environment.
One of the highlights was the Upstander Escape Room, where students worked in teams to solve puzzles and challenges centered around bullying scenarios. As they navigated the escape room, they learned about recognizing bullying, effective intervention strategies, and the importance of supporting peers in difficult situations.
Another fun activity was "Simon Says: Be an Upstander." In this interactive game, students had to follow commands that promoted upstander behaviors, such as "Simon says, compliment someone," or "Simon says, help a friend." This playful approach reinforced positive actions and created a lively environment where students could learn while having fun.
These activities not only helped students understand the role of an upstander but also fostered teamwork and communication. By participating in these hands-on experiences, students were better equipped to take action against bullying and support their peers, embodying the campaign’s core message of community and kindness.
4o mini
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Last week, we held our annual AB2246 lesson on depression for our middle school students, an important part of our efforts to promote mental health awareness and emotional well-being. This year, the focus was on **self-care** and creating a supportive environment where students felt comfortable addressing mental health topics and practicing self-compassion.
One of the key activities was the Self-Care Poster. Students were encouraged to write a note of kindness to share with their peers and, in turn, take a note if they needed one. The poster displayed messages of encouragement and positivity, fostering a sense of connection and support. It gave students the opportunity to both give and receive kindness, helping them feel empowered and reminded of the importance of mental and emotional care.
Additionally, students created personalized bookmarks, which they decorated with uplifting quotes, positive affirmations, or reminders to take care of themselves. These bookmarks not only served as a creative outlet but also provided a lasting reminder for students to practice self-care in their daily lives.
To cap off the week, students were given snack affirmations—yummy snacks paired with positive messages like "You are enough," "Take a deep breath," and "It's okay to ask for help." These little tokens served as a way to reinforce the lesson of self-compassion, while also providing students with a fun, tangible reminder to prioritize their mental health.
The activities throughout the week were designed to help students recognize the importance of self-care, encourage open conversations about mental health, and remind them that they are not alone in their struggles. By engaging in these practices, students were better equipped to take care of themselves and each other, fostering a positive and supportive school environment.
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![Click to play: 7-Minute Emotion Regulating Activity To Help Kids Calm Down! [with mindful breathing techniques]](https://cdn.smore.com/e/7gz58/fKTtJANgKC.jpg)
