How To Be a Good Citizen?

What does it mean to be a good citizen? How can I make a difference? I'm only six...I'm only ten. Enjoy viewing the pictures with your child. I hope you have a great discussion on how everyone can make positive changes in our communities, schools, neighborhoods, and places of worship!

Amazing Grace

The younger classes read Amazing Grace in Character. The story describes the main character's challenges in pursing her dreams. Amazing Grace teaches children that passion and perseverance are more powerful than other people's perceptions. Enjoy the video. Fondly, Catriona Schmidt

Assertiveness Training

The 8's and 9's learned about different approaches to interacting with friends. We reviewed the disadvantages of being aggressive and passive. Role playing was of course a bit hit! Ultimately, students explored how to stand up for themselves without being mean or feeling afraid. It's important for children to be heard by their peers. Helping them find their voices to express their thoughts and feelings is invaluable. We explored why sometimes it's easier to act passively...no conflict, avoid arguments, keep things calm...The discussion among the students was insightful. We will continue practicing assertiveness training in the upcoming months. Ask your child the differences among being assertive, passive,and aggressive. (One student even brought up passive/aggressive...very mature thinking!)

Reading Biographies

Enjoy!

Patience? What's That?

Our monthly theme for November is patience and self-control. Waiting for recess, waiting to be called on in class, and waiting in line for lunch can really take a lot of patience for a child. The Lower School will focus on skills needed for self-control at the various age levels. The 6th age class listened to a story entitled, It's Hard to be Five. The story shares how important is it to be in control of ourselves and the effects our behavior has on those around us.

It's Not Fair!

What is fairness?

That is what we will be discussing this month!

Is it fair that my sister gets to stay up late?
Is it fair that my friend has a DSi and I don't?
Is it fair that my dad works long hours?
Is it fair that I wasn't picked for the team?

"Fairness means treating other people the way you want to be treated. It means trying to give everyone rights and chances like those you have. When you're fair, you do your best to share, take turns, and treat each person with respect."

Enjoy talking with your child/ren this month about fairness.

Best,
Catriona

Character Activities

Character Education at Calvert

Welcome back to school!

I'm excited to share that our school theme for the year is character education! Each month, students and faculty will focus on a specific value, including caring, responsibility, fairness, and cooperation. I will be visiting classrooms to engage students in character activities and literature. Classroom teachers will also be highlighting these same values throughout the year. I look forward to a wonderful school year!



Fondly,

Catriona

Positive Thinking Skills

The 6th age classes met Thotso, "your brain maker." Thotso is a brain that teaches children positive thinking skills, using cognitive behavior therapy components. Ask your child some thoughts that make him/her feel good and those that make him/her feel not so good. Through the use of Thotso and his stories, students learn how their thinking affects their feelings. We had a lot of fun decorating Thotso with "smiling thots" and "booboo thots." As a class we are becoming thot bosses! Next week we will explore "bandage thots."

"STRANGER DANGER"

Over the next few weeks, I will be educating classes, Pilot through 10th age, about strangers and safety. It is an important issue to explore. Through literature and discussion, students will learn what to do if they are approached by a stranger or asked to go with someone they don't know. The information will be presented in an age appropriate manner, meeting the needs of specific grades. The intent of providing "stranger danger" information is not to scare, but to educate and prevent harm to the children. If you have questions, please let me know. Thanks!

Catriona

Bereavement in Children

Calvert School has suffered a tremendous loss with the death of Mrs. Stacey Danko, mother of Molly and Bridget Danko. The fifth and eighth grade classes are especially impacted although the Calvert Community including parents, faculty, and students is grieving. Below is a site that may help guide a discussion with your child and address difficult questions regarding bereavement. I hope that you find it useful and comforting. If you have any concerns, please contact me. Terri Merwin is our Middle School counselor and is available for student and parent support as well. My ext. is 157.



Fondly,


Catriona Schmidt

Diversity

Our 6th age students enjoyed learning about the special qualities in all of us! After reading, The Skin I'm In, by Pat Thomas, we had a discussion about respect and acceptance. They drew great pictures of what made them feel different from other children. I loved seeing the many illustrations, celebrating freckles, missing teeth, and shoe tying! Feel free to continue discussions about how we are similar, different, and unique!