The Principal's Corner:
When I was a kid I didn't really enjoy roller coasters I wanted to go on them but I didn’t like ones that went to fast or flipped upside, because they were way too scary. I remember my family would make me go and I clearly remember getting into the plastic seat and having the rollercoaster guy come and push the bar down onto my lap for my protection and safety. I would immediately try to push that bar right back up, wiggle it, and push it sideways. I remember specifically sitting on the Gemini at Cedar Point and trying my hardest to push this bar up back to where it came from.
Why did I do this? Did I really want to push the bar to see if it would go back up? Was I really thinking that man, I hope this bar goes back up so when I go on the rollercoaster I would fall out? No. I pushed and wiggled to make sure the bar would hold me in. I tested it and tried it out to confirm that I was safe.
Kids push us, they test us, they wiggle and giggle us, they laugh, they run, they do everything they can to test us. They have a desire, a need, a fundamental feeling where they need to confirm that we will hold, that we will keep them safe, that we won't give up on them or leave them.
About 45 seconds into the ride that bar became my best friend. I gripped it as hard as I could, I squeezed it, and in the process yanked on it as I rode the ride. It wasn't until the very end when the ride was over that I actually let go, took a breath, and let go of the bar. Yet every time when the ride would end I always knew I wanted to go again and only slightly tested the bar the second time around.
As teachers, support staff, building professionals, and parents we are the bar for the students. You can set the bar, raise the bar, lift the bar, or break the bar, but we are the bar for the kids. They don't push, prod, test, and wiggle the bar because they don't like it or because they want the bar to break. They test it because they have a need to know they are safe and that the bar won't give.
When they hug you, or high five you, give you knuckles or the popular head nod, just know that is their way of saying I know the bar is safe and I cannot wait to go again.
Hutchings Auction
Our AUCTION IS NOW LIVE ONLINE!!
A NOTE ABOUT THE TRANSITION FROM LIVE TO ONLINE: High Bidder from the live portion of the auction is listed as the first bid as "LIVE AUCTION High Bidder". The High Bidder’s first name and last initial is listed at the bottom of the Item Description section for reference. The bidding history will NOT include history from the bidding sheets at the live portion of the auction but will include bids going forward. Happy Bidding!!
https://www.32auctions.com/hutchingssilentauction
MacGregor's Message:
A friendly reminder that Friday, May 11 is a half day of school. On this day, our students will be released at 12:05 p.m. Superintendent MacGregor’s final Coffee Chat of the school year will be held on Thursday, May 17 from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the Howell Chamber of Commerce. Lastly, please remember that the last day of school has been changed to Thursday, June 14 to accommodate a make-up day that is required as the district exceeded its allowed inclement weather days.
Counselor’s Corner
Helping your Child With Separation Anxiety
Saying goodbye can be so hard! Young children often struggle with separation anxiety, which can occur at the start of the school year or even later in the school year. Common symptoms of separation anxiety include crying, tantrums, clinginess, and regressed behaviors. Separation anxiety is difficult for both children and parents/caregivers. Below are tips to help families with separation anxiety.
- Say your goodbyes and leave. As much as a parent may want to linger near a child’s classroom, don’t. Every time you leave your child at school and come back at the end of the day as you promised, you are helping your child build security and confidence. At times, this can be easier said than done, so examine your own feelings about separation. Parents can sometimes feel uneasy about dropping off their children. If children pick up on this, they may feel unsafe. As a parent, you may want to talk about how you feel to a trusted friend or even plan an outing with a friend immediately after drop off so that you have support.
- If it is the start of the school year or if your child will be starting a new school, prepare! Have your child visit the school ahead of time.
- If your child has a hard time separating from you, be loving but firm. Don’t sneak out when he or she isn’t looking - that will only make him/her cling harder the next morning. Instead, try saying, “Mommy’s going now, but I will be back to get you after school.”
- Make a special “goodbye” ritual. For instance, create a special wave or handshake or have the child keep a transitional object in his or her backpack (like a specially decorated stone, a small picture, or a tiny charm or animal figurine). You could also lend your child an item in the morning (like an inexpensive necklace) and have the child give the item back to you at the end of the day. This can provide extra reassurance that you’ll be back for your child in the afternoon. You can also leave love notes in your child’s lunch box. Goodbye rituals can also be as simple as a kiss on each cheek and a hug. Then go.
- Watch your own body language. Be sure to stand up straight and smile as you say goodbye so that your child can watch you and model your actions.
- Stick to a routine. Make sure your child is rested, has had a nutritious breakfast, and doesn’t feel rushed. It may help you to pack lunches and snacks the night before, wake up a little early to schedule in some “snuggle time” before starting the day, and also have shoes, coats, and backpacks at the door the night before.
- Read some stories about saying goodbye. Children may enjoy stories like The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn or Llama Llama Misses Mama by Anna Dewdney.
As always, feel free to contact your school counselor with any questions or concerns!
Your Partner in Education,
Jennifer Starkey
School Counselor