Understanding Mindset and Preparing to be Leaders

Today I have heard a handful of students express that they were up late doing homework, had weekends full of activities, have had two tests in a certain subject, etc.  The easing in of the school year has ended.  This is a good time for us to really begin our watchfulness.  Who is not sleeping enough, who is in need of a friend, who needs academic support?  If you feel your child could use some coaching, assistance, or a listening ear, please let us know.  You can start with your child's advisor, perhaps during your parent conference this Friday afternoon.  I will be at school that afternoon meeting with parents from my advisory, but if you would like to schedule any time with me, let me know and we can probably work something out.  

Here's a recap of what is happening with each grade level in Counseling and Wellness:

6th Grade

On Friday of last week I again visited with the 6th grade during their Plus Period.  I shared the social media survey results with them and then had them bring up a picture they had taken on their phone or iPad recently.  From there students were asked to decide in their head if this was a picture they would post online, in an app or send in a text.  We used a list of questions from a quiz entitled "To Post or Not To Post" on the NSTeens.org website.  From what I could tell by watching their reactions, most of our 6th graders had pictures that would pass the "test" and would be safe to post, although I did not look at photos so as to allow them some privacy during the activity.  We wrapped up by watching a video, also on the same website, about a boy who's friends create a website to rate the girls in their school.   He decides to participate in rating the girls and later finds out that his sister was added to the website and rated by other boys.  We discussed whether or not this would be considered "cyber-bullying" and some possibilities for responding as the principal of the school or as one of the girls rated on the website.  All in all, we had a great conversation and lots of participation!

Today the students met with me for their first Wellness lesson.  We discussed the idea of mindset.  Students self-assessed what level of growth mindset, or fixed mindset they had.  A fixed mindset is one that is rigid, and feels skill level, ability and intelligence do not change much - whereas a growth mindset believes that with hard work and dedication, we can improve our intelligence, success and ability.  Most of our students hover around the middle, a slight fixed mindset, or a slight growth mindset.  I'm hoping that I can nudge more students to a stronger growth mindset!  After our self-assesssment, students worked in groups to answer opinion questions about what intelligence means and how we can measure it.  

The final part of our Wellness lesson was to learn the various parts of the brain and what they do.  We also learned about neurons, which are cells that send electrical signals through the brain and to the body - they form connections when we learn new things and strengthen and stretch our brain!  We'll learn more about this tomorrow in Day 2 of this two day Mindset series in Wellness.  I'll be sure to share about that in next week's blog.

On Thursday during Advisory all 6th graders will be with Mrs. Viene to talk about just who should be on your friends list in social media apps and how quickly information can travel through the internet!

7th Grade

During Advisory rotations this week, the 7th grade will visit the library to get a reminder about the resources and services available in the library and learning lab.  The 7th graders will begin their wellness lessons on the 23rd.  They will also participate in a 2 day Mindset series, similar to the lessons the 6th grade are doing now.  

8th Grade

The Signs of Suicide presentation has been rescheduled for September 24, as our guest speaker was ill last week.  I'll be sure to update you about what the students learned after their lesson.  This Thursday in Advisory Rotations 8th graders will be discussing what it means to be a leader in Advisory and what roadblocks they sometimes face as Advisory leaders.  This activity will be in preparation for  Friday's Leadership Day.  During Leadership Day students work in groups to complete challenging tasks and then debrief during a faculty led discussion within their small groups.  Watch for a recap in next week's blog!

Finally - we still need volunteers to help this Sunday from 7:00 am - 10:30 am during the Broadway Bridge Run at the Pembroke Hill water table!  Please let me know if your child/family can help encourage the runners whose entry fees go to Special Olympics.  Our exact meeting location should be known soon.  Thanks much!