EMPATHY and You ❤️

EMPATHY is understanding and caring about other people's feelings thoughts, and situations. We ALL have the power to help people if we practice empathy every day.

 

~ LISTEN to what other people say.

~ LOOK for clues to learn what others FEEL.

~ Imagine yourself in the same situation.

~ ASK people what they need 

                  and then help them if you can.

We pay attention to our own feelings and manage our emotions in many ways. EMPATHY is noticing and connecting to how other people feel and sharing ways to help.

The next time you notice someone feeling angry or sad, practice  EMPATHY. Try to understand how they are feeling and see if you can find a way to help.

Want to learn more about EMPATHY? 

Click below for more resources:

   
 

More Links
https://startempathy.org/
https://www.tolerance.org/ 

https://www.empathylab.uk/

How to Be A Learner~

 

We all want to do our best everyday!

have you ever wondered,

how to be the best learner you can be?

There are a few Skills for Learning, and if we master these skills,
we will be powerful learners!

Learning to Listen is an important learning skill. When you listen to a friend, parent or teacher, use your EYES to look at the speaker. Calm your body, quiet your voice, and focus your ears. Using your whole body will help your BRAIN hear and understand what it hears.

              

                                      

To be your best learning self, Following Directions is also important. Listen to the directions carefully. Follow EVERY step in order. If you skip steps, you might make more mistakes or get confused.

Sometimes it can be easy to get distracted. We might even forget what what we were doing. It's important to practice Self-Talk for Staying on Task. Think about your steps. Ignore distractions. Focus all of your attention on your task. Think: I CAN do this!

Being Assertive Be confident in yourself, and when you get stuck, use a strong, respectful voice to ask for help! Try new things and don't be afraid to make mistakes!

National Bullying Awareness and Prevention Month

It's hard to believe, but it is already October, which is also

Bullying Awareness 
and Prevention Month! 

We in the Gorham Schools wish to create a culture of respect and safety for EVERYONE. We pledge to create a positive school climate and ensure our school is a safe and welcoming place.

It is important for parents, staff and students to Recognize, Report, and Refuse bullying. Throughout October, students in grades K-2 social skills classes will be participating in Steps to Respect lessons that focus on building friendships and developing the skills needed to be good citizens. The lessons are designed to prevent bullying and help students build more supportive relationships with each other. The messages we share are below.
Bullying Is:

• A person being hurt, harmed or humiliated with words or behavior.
• Sometimes repeated behavior, but it can be a single incident as well.
• Being done intentionally.
• One sided. Bullying is not conflict.
• Unfair. There is an imbalance of power.
• When the person being hurt cannot ignore, walk away from, or stop the problem.

We encourage our students to be up-standers, by sharing the idea:
                                  If you see something that is wrong, do something to help make it right. 

• Don’t ever join in bullying.
• Support the victim. Show your concern and offer kindness!
• Stand with the victim and say something.
• Reach out to others in friendship.
• Report bullying to an adult.

If we respect and appreciate one another, by following the Code of Conduct, Gorham Schools will be safe and bully free. 

Be Respectful! Be polite. Appreciate the differences in others.

Be Compassionate! Be sensitive to the perspectives, needs and feelings of others.

Be Courageous! Don't be afraid to be YOU! Stand up for yourself and others.

Be Responsible! YOU are responsible for your choices and your actions.

Be Honest! If you make a mistake, own it. 

There are many great websites for information, here are a few we suggest:
Recommended Children's Books
Stomp Out Bullying
Pacer's National Bullying Prevention Center
Stop Bullying. Gov
2nd Step Resources

If you ever have any questions of concerns, 
please reach out.

We care about our students and want every child to feel safe and welcome. ♡

Wherever You May Be, Be a Citizen of the Code

Remember, being a citizen of the code doesn't stop in school. You know how to be a leader in school, on the bus, and on the playground. 

We hope you are also a leader and role model in your home and in your neighborhood.

Be A Code of Conduct Role Model

Gorham Community Code of Conduct

RESPECT  ~We are polite, have good manners, and take care of our school and home. 

RESPONSIBILITY  ~We know what our job is and we take care of it. When we say we will do something, we do it.

COURAGE ~We stand up for what is right, try new things,  and ask for help when we need it.  

COMPASSION   ~We help people in need.  We’re careful with other people’s feelings.

HONESTY  ~ We tell the truth, we can be trusted, and we take responsibility for our own mistakes.

Be sure to make good choices 

and be your best you!

Learn More on the bitmoji page.

Welcome Back to a Year of Kindness!

friendly, generous, considerate, kind-heartedness, warm-heartedness, goodwill, affection, warmth, gentleness, concern, care, consideration, helpfulness, thoughtfulness, selflessness, compassion, sympathy, understanding, big-heartedness, benevolence, neighborly, hospitality, courteousness, generosity, patience, tolerance, charitableness, graciousness, humaneness, mercifulness, decency

A kind person thinks about other people and looks for ways to be helpful. A kind person shares their time and talents to make things better for others, for themselves, and for the world around them.

This year, more than ever before, we ALL need to make an effort to be purposefully kind. The past year has be a challenge for ALL of us and many of us have been spending time in small circles of friends and families. As we reconnect we need to focus on old and new ways to be kind. Every act has a ripple effect, whether for good or for bad, so make sure YOU send out ripples of joy and happiness. SMILE. Say "Hello." Leave a kind note. Do a friend a favor. Give a compliment.  SMILE some more.

Start small. Practice. Practice. Practice.

   And remember to BE KIND to yourself as well. 

No one is perfect. Just be the best you can be.

Growth Mindset .... It Takes Courage

Accept challenges. Ask questions. Make mistakes.
Admit you don't know the answer, YET

We've all had a year of challenges, and you have been strong and stayed positive and learned so much! Sometimes, when things become difficult, we lose our confidence, and feel like giving up.  

It takes courage to try again, it takes courage to make mistakes, and that IS a growth mindset. 

It helps when we remember that success doesn't just happen overnight, success takes work, and lots of it! We can train our brain and we can find new ways to solve problems, if we tell ourselves we CAN! 

Want to earn more about GROWTH MINDSET? 

Follow this link to the bitmoji classroom and explore!

   

Informational Websites for Parents/Teachers:

Mind Shift
Mindset Kit
Mindset Works

What Kids Can Do

Song List