Mix It Up at Lunch 2017

Mix It Up at Lunch was another huge success with the students at William Wood Elementary and Guadalupe Elementary. The purpose of Mix It Up at Lunch is to foster relationships throughout grade levels and build connections with a purpose to prevent bullying. Every opportunity to prevent bullying and build relationships among the students help our schools become a safer place for all students. Another added bonus this year to our event was the college awareness aspect. As the students entered the cafeteria, they were given an admission ticket to a college. Each table was decorated with college swags indicating their "college/university". At the elementary age it is important to bring awareness of higher education. Mix It Up at Lunch was a perfect event for this opportunity. Parents and members from William Wood Elementary Student Council helped the students initiate conversations and make introductions. Guadalupe Elementary top role models from Victoria East High School and the GES Student Council helped facilitate the discussion during Mix It Up at lunch. Students were engaged and made new friendships that will help build our school community. 

Breakout EDU: Critical Thinking & Collaboration

Learners of all ages enjoy the critical thinking and collaboration used in Breakout EDU puzzles. I first used Breakout EDU with my staff as a team building exercise and to bring new ideas to their classrooms. Springtime in education can get routine and the kids and teachers Breakout EDU helps liven the lessons and teach valuable social skills. Bring Breakout EDU to your classroom and see and hear collaboration among your students. Jump in and visit their website at http://www.breakoutedu.com/welcome.

My first Breakout EDU with students was created for a two hour lesson. The first hour students learned about The Power of Yet during out Growth Mindset Camp. The second half was a Breakout session. The students had to solve critical thinking clues and use the skills they learned in the Growth Mindset Camp to free our beloved mascot, Eddy the YETi from the locked box. Read the story below that created the urge for the students to succeed in their mission.

"You almost completed your mission. Our beloved Eddy the YETi has been stolen and locked in the box. The citizens from CANTville don't want you to use your new growth mindset training. If you can decipher the clues, you will be be a growth mindset master and save Eddy the YETi!!"

 

 Our next Breakout EDU session was to introduce our next character trait: Trustworthiness. This one was used so our high school librarian could see a Breakout EDU session in action. Fun for all ages and great for all skill levels.  

Junior Achievement

Junior Achievement was a success at William Wood Elementary! Students learned so much about business and entrepreneurship. Thank you Ms. Mantey and Ms. Rivera for your excellent leadership and valuable time with our students. 

Random Acts of Kindness Week

Random Acts of Kindness Week is around the corner. Read about the ways students are spreading kindness in our community this month:

• Students are preparing decorated bags for HEB Plus in hopes to spread kindness to customers in the store
• Sweet notes of kindness will be dropped in medicine bags at the Walmart pharmacy.
• Placemats will be delivered to a local nursing home

T.R.R.F.C.C. Fairness Awards

Judge Eli Garza presented the TRRFCC Character awards for fairness and discussed the importance of always being fair at home, at school, and with friends.  

ACE Fairness Awards

Students for TX 956 JROTC spoke to the students about being fair with your classmates and friends and followed with a presentation of the Fairness ACE awards. 

You are a diamond!

Happy New Year! I hope you enjoyed your break. Are you feeling the pressure and stress of what the future will bring in the new year? Remember, "You are a diamond!" #BuildingResiliency

VISD counselors participated in a three day Resiliency Training with the Why Try Program at Region 3. Over the last few months, I've been listening for songs and looking for videos to use with students in guidance lessons and counseling sessions. Here is one of my favorites:

Do More Today by Jimmy Nash

Building Street Resiliency is all about moving forward and using your past to motivate you in the future. "Do More Today" by Jimmy Nash was written for children at Champions Kids Camp, a summer camp for young survivors of various traumatic events (illness, death, homelessness, etc.) With these children in mind, he wrote the lyrics about being resilient and moving forward in life. I have volunteered for four summers as a "Dorm Mom" with an amazing group of adults and young adults that give their life to these children. It is truly an amazing experience to support these young children as they face fears and obstacles throughout the week. Each day I witnessed the children building resiliency.

Other songs to use with students:
Superheroes by The Script
Rise by Katy Perry
Stand by Rascal Flatts
Fight Song by Rachel Platten

Bonus song and my own personal resiliency song:
Diamonds by Hawk Nelson