Hello!
Happy Autumn! We are off to a great start this school year. Guidance Lessons have begun in all classrooms. Listening, Personal Space, and Following Directions have been the focus of the first three lessons in Kindergarten, 1st grade, and 2nd grade. Kindergarten students are working hard to develop their Whole Body Listening Skills - here are the pieces of Whole Body Listening: - Our BRAINS are thinking about what we are learning - Our EYES are looking at the speaker - Our EARS are listening to the speaker - Our LIPS are zipped - Our HEART is caring about what we are learning - Our BODY is still - We are SITTING criss-cross applesauce with our HANDS in our laps We review all of the pieces of Whole Body Listening at the beginning of each lesson. All of the teachers are also continuously reviewing Whole Body Listening within their classrooms throughout the school day. This consistency across classrooms and grade levels helps foster the development of these listening skills as well as a safe, engaging learning environment. In 3rd and 4th grade, we have been focusing on the development of classroom communities. It is very important for students to feel comfortable, safe, and a sense of belonging within their classroom environments and especially during interactions with their classmates. At Taylor School, we often look to the 3rd and 4th graders to act as the role models of the school, demonstrating to the younger grades ways to get along with each other, support one another, show empathy, build positive relationships with grade-level peers, etc. In the coming weeks, Guidance Lessons will continue to focus on fostering the development of supportive classroom communities. In other news, Anne Mueller, long-term substitute for my maternity leave, began shadowing me on Friday, September 30th. We had a great day of meeting students and having Guidance Lessons in Mrs. Reardon's and Mrs. Zabbo's classrooms! She will be shadowing me during the upcoming week as well and will get a chance to meet all the classrooms and students. I am excited to welcome her to the Taylor School community and know that she will be an excellent support to students, staff, and families while I am out. It has been an exciting first month of school! - Mrs. Lazur
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September 9, 2016
Dear Parents and Guardians, Welcome to a new school year at Taylor Elementary School! I hope you and your family had a fun and relaxing summer vacation. This summer has been action-packed for me. I am excited to share that my husband and I are expecting our first child in mid-October. I plan on returning to work on January 30, 2017. Until then, Anne Mueller will be the substitute school adjustment counselor. She brings years of experience supporting children and families and a calm personality that I know will be a great match with all the Taylor School students. This year, I will continue to facilitate Guidance Lessons in all classrooms. Our Guidance Lesson curriculum focuses on teaching The Six Core Strengths (developed by Bruce Perry, MD, PhD) through the use of stories and activities. The Six Core Strengths are: • Attachment – developing positive relationships with peers and as a student • Self-Regulation – understanding emotions, thinking before acting • Affiliation - being part of a group and larger community • Awareness – thinking of others • Tolerance – accepting differences • Respect – appreciating the value of ourselves and others Please be on the lookout for Guidance Lesson Activities throughout the school It is my hope that this school year will be full of successful experiences for all students. I look forward to working with your family! Please contact me, or Anne, with any questions or concerns. Thank you, Adria Lazur, LMHC, SAC Counselor – Taylor Elementary School (508) 543-1607 [email protected] |
AuthorAdria Lazur, LMHC, SAC Archives
October 2016
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