Ready or not – the holidays and -- winter break -- are upon us! Hanukkah begins at Sundown on Tuesday, December 20; Christmas Day is Sunday, December 25 and Kwanzaa begins on Monday, December 26 --- just to name a few – and, of course, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day are Saturday, December 31 and Sunday, January 1 respectively.
If you are the parent of a child or teen who has been bullied or ostracized in school – the holidays and winter break time can be, according to SocialShield, a “mixed blessing.”
On the one hand – your child or teen is safe at home and away from the pressures of bullying and the peer ostracization and social isolation at school.
However, on the other hand, your child or teen IS HOME and not at the parties, sleepovers, movies or other age-appropriate social functions during this time of the year. Worse, your child may also be spending an inordinate amount of time on the computer during this time and can thus become the target of cyber-abuse or cyberbullying.
In essence, the isolation associated with bullying “shifts” from school to home during this time of the year and you – as a parent, guardian or responsible adult – will see more of its impact during this time.
According to the U.S. Department of Education, bullying is defined as “a repeated pattern of aggressive behaviors that involves an imbalance of power and that purposefully inflicts harm on the bullying victim” while cyberbullying is defined as “willful and repeated harm inflicted through the use of computers, cell phones, and other electronic devices.” According to Social Shield, cyberbullying can hurt even more than “in-person” bullying because the bullies can exact their cruelty anonymously.
Therefore, what can parents do to make your child or teen’s life more bearable during the holidays? According to SocialShield, below are some tips:
1. Be patient and supportive --- expect that being a victim of bullying and exclusion can/may/will make your child moody and try not to take – up to certain limits -- their moodiness and negative behavior personally.
2. Have as much activity around the house as possible – invite friends and family over, maintain a festive environment in the home and if your child has family, cousins of similar age – invite them over.
3. Research public libraries and parks – look into activities offered at the public libraries during this time of year and at parks “a few towns over” from where your child lives so that he or she can have the opportunity to make new friends in a new environment and experience a positive social life outside of school. Encourage your child to enroll in something positive as well as age-appropriate in the coming New Year.
4. Spend quality time with your child – engage – although at first – especially if she/he is a teen they may not appear to like it – some activities you do not ordinarily do during the year. Providing such special activities will make those special family memories we like to associate the holidays with -- but will – in the here and now – offset some of your child’s loneliness.
5. Finally – and most important of all --- be there for your daughter or son. Listen to them and let them know – even if they don’t want to hear it – how much you love them.
For more information about bullying or for information about the programs and services – including how we can help your child procure services – contact The Mental Health Association in Forsyth County at 336.768.3880.
Monday, December 19, 2011
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
A Lesson about Bullies
A teacher was teaching her class about bullying and gave them the following exercise to perform. She had the children take a piece of paper and told them to crumple it up, stomp on it and really mess it up but do not rip it. Then she had them unfold the paper, smooth it out and look at how scarred and dirty it was. She then told them to tell it they’re sorry. Now even though they said they were .. ................sorry and tried to fix the paper, she pointed out all the scars they left behind. And that those scars will never go away no matter how hard they tried to fix it. That is what happens when a child bully’s another child, they may say they’re sorry but the scars are there forever. The looks on the faces of the children in the classroom told her the message hit home.
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
Season of Blessings
What a wonderful time of the year. This is my favorite season to be in a school. I love to see what the students are thankful for and what they wish for. Everyone seems to be more in the giving spirit and the smiles abound.
I believe that Thanksgiving is the beginning of the Season of Blessings. We give thanks for what we have and the relationships we have and then throughout the month, we share those fortunes with others. We give more freely…not just material things, but our time, patience, and love.
We continue with what we need to do in school and the students learn. They learn some important lessons, not from books, but from watching each other and the adults in the school. They see the can food being collected for the Second Harvest Food Bank, they see the coats collected for the Rescue Mission, they see more smiles and enjoy hugs. They observe the interaction of people all around them and learn what it means to give of ones self.
Season of Blessings….may you be blessed this season.
I believe that Thanksgiving is the beginning of the Season of Blessings. We give thanks for what we have and the relationships we have and then throughout the month, we share those fortunes with others. We give more freely…not just material things, but our time, patience, and love.
We continue with what we need to do in school and the students learn. They learn some important lessons, not from books, but from watching each other and the adults in the school. They see the can food being collected for the Second Harvest Food Bank, they see the coats collected for the Rescue Mission, they see more smiles and enjoy hugs. They observe the interaction of people all around them and learn what it means to give of ones self.
Season of Blessings….may you be blessed this season.
Friday, October 21, 2011
A School, a Family, and a Legacy
This year is East Forsyth High School's 50th year Anniversary. They are having a year long celebration and homecoming is a very big part of that celebration. Alumni from all the years will be represented at the game and whole families...from grandparents, to parents, to children will be in attendance. The same goes for my family. I have my brothers that graduated in 1979 and 1985. My husbands siblings graduated from there as well in 1976, 1979, 1982, and 1985. I have teachers who work with me at South Fork who are also alumni from East Forsyth. My mentors, the teachers I had who helped me decide to go into education are alumni from 1967, 1973, and 1976. I was thinking yesterday about this because homecoming is tonight. I was thinking about when I graduated...I was in the 25th graduating class in 1987. My son is graduating this year. He will be in the class of 2012...the 50th graduating class. Then, I thought about all the teachers on the South Fork staff that graduated from there and all the people in the school system who graduated from there, worked there, and continue to be a part of the school or the school community.
That is where the idea of A School, a Family, and a Legacy came from. Jim Wilhelm was the principal when I was there and he was there as far back as 1976, I believe. He is still working in the school system as Interim Assistant Superintendent, Principal, and Assistant Principal. I don't believe they will ever let him retire and his legacy will reach far beyond what he did in his tenure at EFHS. Debbie Brooks, was the Assistant Principal at East when I was there, she then went on to open and retire from Kernersville Middle School. Judy Cowden, Brad Craddock, Carolyn Flynt and Jayne Grubbs...just to name a few, all still work in the system and they are products of East Forsyth High School.
It is a school rich in tradition, in building future educators, and building a family within the school system. In it's duration, it has produced a legacy of educators and other successful adults to be proud of. Trish Gainey, the current principal, is working hard to continue the tradition of fine education and building the pool of educators for years to come. It continues to be a school to reckon with in sports and in academics.
This could not have happened without a strong community support and the hard work of the teachers in the elementary and middle schools. Our high schools are only as good as the students we produce from Kindergarten until they get to the 9th grade. That is why family and community support is so vital, not only for the high school, but for all the local community schools. It the essence of school, family, and legacy. None of it can happen without the dedication of people who care about our future and the future of our students. I am proud of being a graduate of East Forsyth High School and I am proud to be a product of all Winston Salem/ Forsyth County Schools. I am also very grateful that I have been given the chance to give back to the WSFCS community by being an administrator in the system. It started with my family, it grew through my school career, and I pray my legacy will go on to encourage and produce future educators for East Forsyth High School and for the schools throughout the county.
Proudly now we hail thee
Eagle, Brave and Fair
Through the years together
We all things will share.
Blue and White will ever
Be our colors true
Kindling in our memories
Thoughts East High of you!
Congratulations to East Forsyth High School for 50 great years. I look forward to seeing all the successes that continue to come from there.
That is where the idea of A School, a Family, and a Legacy came from. Jim Wilhelm was the principal when I was there and he was there as far back as 1976, I believe. He is still working in the school system as Interim Assistant Superintendent, Principal, and Assistant Principal. I don't believe they will ever let him retire and his legacy will reach far beyond what he did in his tenure at EFHS. Debbie Brooks, was the Assistant Principal at East when I was there, she then went on to open and retire from Kernersville Middle School. Judy Cowden, Brad Craddock, Carolyn Flynt and Jayne Grubbs...just to name a few, all still work in the system and they are products of East Forsyth High School.
It is a school rich in tradition, in building future educators, and building a family within the school system. In it's duration, it has produced a legacy of educators and other successful adults to be proud of. Trish Gainey, the current principal, is working hard to continue the tradition of fine education and building the pool of educators for years to come. It continues to be a school to reckon with in sports and in academics.
This could not have happened without a strong community support and the hard work of the teachers in the elementary and middle schools. Our high schools are only as good as the students we produce from Kindergarten until they get to the 9th grade. That is why family and community support is so vital, not only for the high school, but for all the local community schools. It the essence of school, family, and legacy. None of it can happen without the dedication of people who care about our future and the future of our students. I am proud of being a graduate of East Forsyth High School and I am proud to be a product of all Winston Salem/ Forsyth County Schools. I am also very grateful that I have been given the chance to give back to the WSFCS community by being an administrator in the system. It started with my family, it grew through my school career, and I pray my legacy will go on to encourage and produce future educators for East Forsyth High School and for the schools throughout the county.
Proudly now we hail thee
Eagle, Brave and Fair
Through the years together
We all things will share.
Blue and White will ever
Be our colors true
Kindling in our memories
Thoughts East High of you!
Congratulations to East Forsyth High School for 50 great years. I look forward to seeing all the successes that continue to come from there.
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Friday, September 9, 2011
Filling Buckets
Did you know that everyone has a bucket that they carry around with them all the time. In that bucket are the things that people do or say to them that make them feel valued, appreciated, loved, and respected. It is what they reach in to when they are going through hard or tough times, to help them through the situation. At South Fork this year we are promoting the idea of filling up each others buckets every day. So, we encourage each other, we encourage the children, and we model for the children how to fill other student's buckets. We also are trying to fill more parents buckets. The more buckets we fill with positives, the more people enjoy themselves at South Fork and they will want to be a part of what is happening here.
So far, filling buckets has been an easy fun thing to do each day. It is so much more fun to be a bucket filler than a bucket dipper. This is the person who is negative, says mean things, or doesn't do anything to help anyone else. It is easy to see the bucket dippers coming your way. They are the ones not smiling. They are the ones who are the naysayers and who do not work as a team member. We all have our days when our buckets are low and we are feeling low...on those days it is easy to be bucket dipper. This year, it is my goal at least, to try to fill as many buckets as I can each day. I have had several people fill my bucket this year and it makes my job a more pleasant one. Having my bucket filled helps me to deal with the rough days.
I would like to thank those that take the time to fill my bucket everyday and I hope that I am able to fill several each day as well. So, please join the South Fork movement and start filling some buckets with compliments, notes of encouragement, holding the door open, or just taking the time to ask how someone is feeling. You will be surprised how quickly your bucket fills while you are filling others.
So far, filling buckets has been an easy fun thing to do each day. It is so much more fun to be a bucket filler than a bucket dipper. This is the person who is negative, says mean things, or doesn't do anything to help anyone else. It is easy to see the bucket dippers coming your way. They are the ones not smiling. They are the ones who are the naysayers and who do not work as a team member. We all have our days when our buckets are low and we are feeling low...on those days it is easy to be bucket dipper. This year, it is my goal at least, to try to fill as many buckets as I can each day. I have had several people fill my bucket this year and it makes my job a more pleasant one. Having my bucket filled helps me to deal with the rough days.
I would like to thank those that take the time to fill my bucket everyday and I hope that I am able to fill several each day as well. So, please join the South Fork movement and start filling some buckets with compliments, notes of encouragement, holding the door open, or just taking the time to ask how someone is feeling. You will be surprised how quickly your bucket fills while you are filling others.
Friday, August 12, 2011
A Brand New Year
This is the beginning of a brand new year for all of us here at South Fork Elementary. We have several changes we will be implementing and several new staff members added to the faculty. It is an exciting time to be a part of the South Fork Family. The great thing about starting over with a new year is that we all get a fresh slate. Teachers, Administrators, Students, and Parents all get the chance to do things better for the students and for the school.
As an administrator, I will incorporate the skills I learned at recent leadership and Discovery learning workshops. I have also been given really good feedback from the teachers about what they need from me. I am looking forward to making this a smooth transition year for the new staff and the new programs by leading the staff through the change process- slow and steady with lots of communication.
Teachers will be implementing the the Common Core Standards, Imagine IT reading, and school wide Positive Behavior Intervention Support system (PBiS). We also have several new faces added to our staff. I think each person will make a huge positive impact on our students learning and the overall climate of the school. I am really looking forward to working with this staff this year.
Parents, you can help us by participating and getting involved in the parent advisory committee, the PTA Board, and just being present in your child's school life. The more involved you stay in your child's education, the more likelihood of them graduating from high school. That may seem far down the road, but trust me, it comes faster than you think. We always need volunteers, PTA members, and just visits during lunch. Some come when you can and take part in all the parent education resources we offer throughout the year. Terry Murphy is our Parent Liaison this year. Contact her for more information.
Students, you just need you to come to school ready to learn. Be prepared for class every day, READ< READ< READ...every chance you get. The more you read the faster you will get and the stronger reader you become. Exercise that muscle called your brain, and read- everyday. Keep a positive attitude and know that what you are learning today is foundational to what will be discovered tomorrow- maybe by you. You are growing up in an exciting time. You will work in jobs that aren't even thought of yet. You will use technology that is not even considered yet one day. So, start off enthusiastic about school, get a firm foundation, and learn and grow while you are here. You have the best teachers in the county here. Let them help you unlock your potential.
See you on the 23rd at 5:30 for open house. Call the school if you have questions or concerns. 336-774-4664
As an administrator, I will incorporate the skills I learned at recent leadership and Discovery learning workshops. I have also been given really good feedback from the teachers about what they need from me. I am looking forward to making this a smooth transition year for the new staff and the new programs by leading the staff through the change process- slow and steady with lots of communication.
Teachers will be implementing the the Common Core Standards, Imagine IT reading, and school wide Positive Behavior Intervention Support system (PBiS). We also have several new faces added to our staff. I think each person will make a huge positive impact on our students learning and the overall climate of the school. I am really looking forward to working with this staff this year.
Parents, you can help us by participating and getting involved in the parent advisory committee, the PTA Board, and just being present in your child's school life. The more involved you stay in your child's education, the more likelihood of them graduating from high school. That may seem far down the road, but trust me, it comes faster than you think. We always need volunteers, PTA members, and just visits during lunch. Some come when you can and take part in all the parent education resources we offer throughout the year. Terry Murphy is our Parent Liaison this year. Contact her for more information.
Students, you just need you to come to school ready to learn. Be prepared for class every day, READ< READ< READ...every chance you get. The more you read the faster you will get and the stronger reader you become. Exercise that muscle called your brain, and read- everyday. Keep a positive attitude and know that what you are learning today is foundational to what will be discovered tomorrow- maybe by you. You are growing up in an exciting time. You will work in jobs that aren't even thought of yet. You will use technology that is not even considered yet one day. So, start off enthusiastic about school, get a firm foundation, and learn and grow while you are here. You have the best teachers in the county here. Let them help you unlock your potential.
See you on the 23rd at 5:30 for open house. Call the school if you have questions or concerns. 336-774-4664
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