Note from School Psychologist

National School Psychology Awareness Week:

Helping Students, Staff and Families Make the Connection!

(Adapted from the National Association of School Psychologist’s parent resources.)

Dear Families,

A student’s life at school is filled with potential connections (relationships, linkages in learning, behavioral choices, etc). Friendships with peers, relationships with teachers, acknowledgements from administrators, encouragement from coaches are all connections that are essential to making school an enjoyable place to learn. Supportive learning environments help students make the link between behavior, effort, skills, and achievement, while also building resilience and the ability to meet challenges successfully. Students who can clearly relate their choices and thought process to actions that lead to specific outcomes are better able to make good choices.

School psychologists are in a unique role to facilitate this process at school. We work directly with students providing assessments, leading individual and group skill development sessions, consulting and collaborating with teachers, counselors, aides, administrators, and parents. We also serve on school problem solving and leadership teams, analyzing and explaining educational data, developing classroom accommodations and modifications, and meeting with parents and community members.

Helping our students and schools focus on strengthening and increasing positive relationships is at the heart of national School Psychology Awareness Week, November 14–18, 2011. The theme, “Every link matters. Make a connection.” is directed to students, but also carries an important message to all adults. Link up and connect with me, Miss Garneau! I am your school psychologist and I would love to talk with you about your child and all the ways Pine Glen helps all our children make positive lifelong learning and social connections.

You and your family can help us build your children’s positive connections! As part of School Psychology Awareness week, we at Pine Glen are “growing” a Garden of Greatness. Even as the weather turns colder and the landscape begins to be coated with snow, our school entrance will be vibrant with colorful flowers and a powerful reminder of all our positive qualities. If you and your child are interested in contributing to our Pine Glen Garden of Greatness, full instructions are below and have been sent home with your students.

I look forward to working with all the students this year and hope to see our garden in full bloom!

Sincerely,

Lea Garneau, M.Ed., Ed.S., NCSP

School Psychologist

Pine Glen Elementary School

781-505-1128

lgarneau@bpsk12.org

The Garden of Greatness

This activity is intended to be a fun and creative way for children to recognize personal talents and positive qualities in themselves. Participation is purely voluntary, but we would like to see as many flowers as possible. This activity should take no longer than a half hour, though you may choose to spend more time discussing talents and qualities with your child or decorating the flower. I am asking that the flowers be returned to school by November 9^th so we have time to finish and set up our garden for the week of the 14^th.

Materials:

• Flower pattern
• Pencil
• Art supplies (crayons, markers, colored pencils, etc)

Directions:

1. Take some time to think or talk about the answers to these questions (one word answers are ok):

· What is the most important thing to know about you?

· What is something you are excited about doing or learning this year?

· What is a way you can show you are kind to others?

· What is an activity that you do well?

· What is your favorite school subject or special?

· What is your best friendship quality?

2. Write your name in the center of the flower pattern. If you would like, you can also include a self-portrait in the center of the flower.
3. Using the examples below, write your talents and qualities on the flower petals (one per petal).
4. Decorate your flower however you would like
5. Cut out the flower
6. Return your completed flower to Miss Garneau (room 202).

If you have any questions please call me at 781-505-1128 or email me at lgarneau@bpsk12.org.