Elm Street Office Updates
August 30, 2017
Many Wildcats have been excited to walk into my Elm Street office to find some new additions! Pictured is the new comfy couch area, which provides a "soft spot" to land as we talk and problem solve. The sequins pillow has also become a fast favorite to smooth over again and again.
I strive to provide a comfortable and welcoming environment for all students to feel safe while they're with me. We often have hard conversations within these walls, so having comfort items around is a must!
Stop by to check it out. You are welcome here! :)
Advocates for Children Comes to Visit
May 05, 2017
During the month of May, an educator from Advocates for Children visited kindergarten and third grade classrooms to present on body safety and self-protection. Advocates for Children is Androscoggin county's child abuse prevention agency and is committed to providing children and families with the education necessary to help prevent child abuse. Through engaging conversation, materials, and activities, students are able to have the hard and important conversation about trusting their instincts and keeping themselves safe from unsafe people/situations.
If you would like more information about any of these presentations, please call Advocates at 783-3990 or visit their website www.advocatesforchildren.net.
Have You Seen the Post-Its?
February 15, 2017
At Elm Street School, you might see a few post-its hanging around. Our lockers, doors, mirrors, walls, and windows show little pieces of paper with big messages. The Civil Rights Team decided to celebrate The Great Kindness Challenge by writing kind messages on post-it notes to share with others. However, we took it a step further. To incorporate our civil rights mission of welcoming and respecting everyone, quite a few of our post-its discuss race and religion.
Check out the picture to see a few wonderful examples! We hope they make you smile. :)
Personal Spaceships, Toothpaste, and the Internet
February 01, 2017
During the month of January, both Elm Street and Minot Consolidated Schools welcomed Hannah from Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Services (SAPARS). The purpose of inviting SAPARS into our classrooms is to proactively teach important body safety, personal space, and internet safety skills to prevent mistreatment and abuse.
Kindergarten through 3rd grade learned about personal space, boundaries, and how to respect each other's space. Pictured are 3rd graders working in a small group to complete a maze using their personal spaceships - they were challenged to stay together and move together, requiring respectful communication skills in order to be successful.
4th grade learned about rumors and gossip using toothpaste (and just how messy rumors can be).
5th grade learned about internet safety, specifically how to maintain privacy while being online.
6th grade learned about sexual harassment in a flirting vs. hurting lesson.
If you'd like more information about SAPARS programs, please visit their website: sapars.org.
Family Diversity Posters
January 15, 2017
The Civil Rights Team at Elm Street School created several posters about family diversity. Walking through our hallways, you will see many bright posters picturing families of various races, genders, ancestries, abilities/disabilities, ages, and sexual orientations.
The hope is that everyone will be able to find a family that looks like theirs in some way, and will know that their family is safe, welcome, and respected in our school!
From Augusta to Elm Street: Sixth Grade Civil Rights Leaders Bring Back Message of Respect
December 15, 2016
Seven 6th grade members of Elm Street School's Civil Rights Team journeyed to Augusta for a student training. The annual student trainings bring Civil Rights Teams from around the state together to learn more about civil rights and how to bring what they learn back to their schools.
This year, our 6th graders discussed family diversity and how learning about the ways that families can be different can help us appreciate diversity in people. They thought about and answered questions such as: What makes a family a family? How can families be different? How can we make sure all families feel safe, welcome, and respected in our school?
These 6th graders shared what they learned with the rest of our team. Our CRT is using the topic of family diversity to make posters to share the message of respect with our whole school! Thank you 6th grade Civil Rights leaders!
Students try mindfulness techniques during classroom lessons
November 25, 2016
From taking a mindful moment, to practicing deep breathing, all students in grades K-6 have been introduced to mindfulness. During their classroom lesson, students have been able to demonstrate the ability to "train their attention" and to focus on one thing at a time. We used a chime to take a mindful moment, in which we quieted and stilled our bodies and brains to listen to silence and to tune into any noises around us. We used a mini sphere ball to help us inhale and exhale slowly for deep breathing. And we practiced relaxation - grades K-3 colored a mandala while listening to relaxing music, and grades 4-6 got comfortable and listened to a guided imagery script.
Students and teachers alike have learned how using mindfulness strategies can help them quiet a busy mind, clam an angry/upset body, and focus on what is most important.
Feedback from students has been amazing:
"I wish we could do this everyday!"
"Mindfulness helps you by being peaceful and relaxed. This can help you achieve goals and feel confident."
"Mindfulness can help me by removing stress, anxiety, and pain."
"Mindfulness helps me by calming me down when so many things are happening in the place around me."
If you would like more information about mindfulness, check out: www.mindful.org.
Elm Street's Civil Rights Team Creates Gender Stereotypes Video
October 01, 2016
Last Spring, the Elm Street Civil Rights Team began brainstorming for their final project of the school year. Many members shared personal experiences of being treated certain ways because of the gender they identify with. Things like, "You can't play football because you're a girl" or "Boys can't wear pink." We discussed what a stereotype is and as a team, we decided to do something about gender stereotypes specifically. Each team member worked on a picture for the video to show hobbies, sports, academic subjects, and careers. Then, we filmed, edited, and shared with the school at our June Wildcat Assembly. The team's message: No matter what gender you identify with, you can be/do/wear whatever you're comfortable with!
Check out the video here: Gender Stereotypes Video
If you'd like to know more about the Civil Rights Team Project of Maine, go here: Maine Attorney General and here: Maine Humanities Council.
