Virtual Career Day #4!

Today is our last and final virtual career day tour!  This video just happens to emphasize all women working in agriculture!  I met all four of these ladies when I attended Murray State University roughly 15 years ago because..... Guess what!?!  I majored in Animal Equine Science before switching to Education!  

  Over the past four days, we have been provided the opportunity to see careers from all over the US (even the world if you count the US Air Force).   I want you to know that your opportunities are endless. You may have your heart set on a specific occupation, or you may change your mind like I did!  Either way, follow your passion! We're not all dealt the same hand in life, but through hard work, dedication, and perseverance, you can achieve your dreams!

Please give a warm welcome to our women in agriculture today and their furry guests - you'll especially appreciate the little guy at the end! 🐄🐎🐴

Virtual Career Day #3!

I hope you have enjoyed learning about different careers as much as I have!  We have many familiar faces today along with one all the way from 🌟 HOLLYWOOD🌟 and she has a special message just for you!!  💗  

There are many words of wisdom packed into this video!

Tim Stark - Marketing Director at Murray Bank
Lisa Potter - Resident Dining Manager with Racer Dining
Daisy Grooms - Accountant
LeAnn Darnall - I CAN Inc. (Rodan & Fields)
Samantha Restoff - Physical Therapist Assistant
Amber Windhorst - Co-Owner She Tough Fitness
Leigh-Allyn Baker Kauffman - Actress

Virtual Career Day #2

I think you will find quite a bit of inspiration from these men and women! Today's virtual career tour highlights a variety of occupations. Enjoy!!

• Adam Marganski - Local 1 Carpenter 
• Melisa Hicks - Elementary PE Teacher
• Eddie Jones - Defensive Line Coach - Tarleton State University 
• Shannon Farley - Probation & Parole officer with KY Department of Corrections Division of Probation and Parole
• Stephanie Perlow - Family Court Judge for Calloway and Marshall County
• Leonard Ratajczyk - US Air Force
• Bri Rollins - Community Impact Coordinator @ Lotus - Regional Children’s Advocacy & Sexual Violence Resource Center
• Jennifer Ratajczyk - Community Coalition Coordinator

Virtual Career Fair!!

Welcome!  I hope everyone is doing well.  Since we cannot bring people in for an actual career fair, I thought we would take  a virtual tour!  I will be adding videos throughout the week.  I encourage you to watch ALL of the videos all the way through.  The participants will shed some light on what they do and why they love it.  They will also provide advice and words of encouragement.

↓ You will see some familiar faces, too!! ↓

Virtual Career Day - Medical Edition

Emily Gupton - Family Medicine Physician @ Primary Care

Donna Crabtree - Research Program Leader - DUKE

Tina Ryan - School Nurse @ Southwest and East Elementary

Amanda Kern - Speech-Language Pathologist @ EmpowerMe Wellness

Meredith Raspberry - Doctorate of Pharmacy @ Walmart Pharmacy

Emily Finney - Dentist @ Creative Smiles Dental Care

Kaycee Bryd - Registered Nurse @ Baptist Health Paducah

Kayla Hixson - Flight Paramedic for Vanderbilt LifeFlight 

Tory Duaghrity - Director of Marketing and Public Relations at Henry County Medical Center

Body Safety and Protective Factors

It's is the last day of April, which was Child Abuse Prevention Month.  HOWEVER, it is still very important that we teach our children body safety!  Click on the link below for a guide to empowering your child and safe body boundaries.  It provides information for you, as a parent, and gives ideas on how to talk to your kids.  Both resources were compiled by LOTUS. 

Body Safety 101

As always, if you are aware of child abuse and are unsure who to talk to, I am always here to help!  

↓ I love this calendar to utilize in strengthening the family unit! ↓

Click on this LINK to download the calendar.

Virtual Parent Cafe' and Webinars from KPFC

Building Protective Factors at Home

What makes families strong during social distancing??

That's a great question!  As we continue to follow social distancing guidelines, I thought this would be important to share! 

See the attachment below ↓ to read the complete document compiled by Lotus.  It provides awesome ideas and activities including the following:

1. ideas for activities to work on building your family relationship, 
2. parenting resources,
3. a "support tree" activity,
4. communication activities,
5. and how to build nurturing and attachment,  resilience, and knowledge at home.

Building Protective Factors at Home PDF

Apps for Health and Wellness

We are online A LOT these days, so let's use it to promote a healthy lifestyle!!  Lotus (a regional child advocacy and sexual violence resource center) created the following document with Apps that help promote health and wellness.  Click here to download the PDF of the document.

My Name is Coronavirus - a story for kids!

Hello!  Today I wanted to share a story by Manuela Molina (@mindheart.kids www.mindheart.co) called "My Name is Coronavirus."  I shared a video of me reading it and attached the story as a PDF so you can print it and read it to your children.  It is an interactive story where they can color how they feel about the coronavirus.  I think it is a great story to revisit when new developments create more change.  It's a nice reminder that "this too shall pass."  

Story PDF Document

A Special Message From KY School Counselors

Commitments Check-Up

Who is in need of a commitments check-up?? 🙋 When we make commitments, whether to ourselves or to someone else, it increases the chance of following through.  Successful commitments also increase our confidence!  Use this visual from Conscious Discipline to help your child make and keep commitments. 

Use this link for insight on how to set your child up for success by making specific, realistic, and stated in the positive!  Commitments Check-up

Autism Focused Intervention Resources & Modules - COVID-19 Toolkit

I absolutely love💗 this toolkit provided by Autism Focused Intervention Resources & Modules (AFIRM).   These times are stressful for everyone, especially if you prefer structure and routine.  Fear of the unknown is difficult to deal with and I think most of us have felt this at one point or another since the coronavirus outbreak began.

Every parent, teacher, or family member I have met who works with or has a child with autism goes to great lengths to find out what does and doesn't work for their child.  Please use this website as a guide and utilize the resources you feel would fit/work best for your child or student.   The website has MANY activities and resources available for use that go with each of the 7 support strategies.

The 7 support strategies for implementation during the COVID-19 pandemic include the following:

1. Support understanding
2. Offer opportunities for expression
3. Prioritize coping and calming skills
4. Maintain routines
5. Build new routines
6. Foster connections (from a distance)
7. Be aware of changing behaviors

↓ Click the link below to access. ↓
Supporting Individuals with Autism through Uncertain Times

See the picture below. When you click on the link provided above, you will be at the introduction page. On the left sidebar, there are tabs to read more in depth about the 7 support strategies suggested as well as have access to MANY resources including calendars, articles, activities, and so much more.  

Soothe Children's Stress about COVID-19

I REALLY like this activity by Conscious Discipline that incorporates discussion, feelings of safety, and sense of touch between children and parents.  Each finger represents something good that happened during the day and the thumb represents the day's worries.  See the document below for an explanation and printable.

Story Hand Printable

(By Conscious Discipline)

Caring Connections Calendar

Caring Connections!

I think this is a great calendar to utilize to strengthen our relationships during a time when we must practice social distancing. Grab your kids and challenge yourselves to completing an activity daily. You could do an activity daily in order or use it like a bingo sheet and "check" off each one you complete!

Caring Connections Calendar - See this document for a description of the benefits of utilizing the calendar and a printable version.

Caring Connections: Strengthening Relationships by Practicing Kindness, Being Grateful, and Spending Quality Time with Those We LOVE (by http://ConsciousDiscipline.com)

Sad Child or is it Depression?

Today doesn't provide an activity for students (you can continue the #discovergratitude activity, though!), but it does provide some information for parents.

During this time, there has been a LOT of changes.  Changes in routine; your availability; possibly finances; accessibility to what used to be common items; work schedule; and physical, mental, and emotional health may have affected you and your family.  This means it is affecting your children as well!  You may have a lot on your plate right now, but taking care of your child's mental and emotional health is also essential. 

REMEMBER 

 You can still contact me if you have any questions or concerns!  

chelsea.neale@calloway.kyschools.us

270-762-7345 ext. 4107

We can set up a time to meet on zoom or google hangouts as well.  

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Dr. Sweeney (program coordinator for comprehensive school counseling in Kentucky) addresses mental health towards the bottom of this article.  He points out that it is normal to feel sad sometimes, but "The difference is that sad is inconsistent. … Depression is consistent and constant.”

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See this article for tips on signs of depression, topics of conversation, and more. 

Sad Child or is it Depression?

...“What I say to parents is, ‘Trust your instincts,’” Parker said. “You know your child better than anybody else in this world. If something is not right, there’s been a change in behavior, it was not this way six months ago, there’s something major in this child’s life, I need to get to the bottom of it, that’s the time.”

Hurtful Words / Bullying

To continue our lesson from yesterday, I'd like to take a little bit deeper look into hurtful words and/or bullying.  The things we say to each other may not show physical damage, but the damage is there.  

The first lesson on bullying, uses the illustration of two apples.  Students practice saying nice things to one apple while saying hurtful things to another.  Unbeknownst to your student(s), you have gently dropped one apple multiple times to cause bruising on the inside.  When you are finished saying hurtful and nice things to each of the apples, you cut them open.  The apple you said nice things to is healthy, but he apple you said hurtful things to is bruised on the INSIDE.  This leads for great discussion into how we speak to one another and the implications of our words.  This is a great sibling activity or individual activity during our NTI days as it is always important to choose kind words instead of hurtful no matter who we are speaking to. 
A Bullying Lesson Using Apples
Apple Printable Worksheet

The second activity is great for our younger students.  It uses a clean sheet of paper and is folded each time someone says something hurtful until you can't fold it any smaller.  You then practice saying nice things and the paper unfolds.  Although the paper is still the same and opens all the way back up, the folds are still there just as the hurtful things someone says can still hurt on the inside. 
The Folded Paper Instructions

CYBERBULLYING

CYBERBULLYING.... tips for parents and students.  

While searching for useful tips and resources regarding cyberbullying, I stumbled upon a blog reflecting Dr. Russell Sabella's work on responsible use of technology and cyber-kindness.  WOW.  There is a plethora of resources, lesson plans, and links to provide us with tools to help navigate safe use of technology.  Click on the following link to access these resources. 

Guarding Kids - Cyberbullying

Click here to read about ways parents can help prevent cyberbullying.   

Discover Gratitude

Discover Gratitude! 

Yes - we're back to gratitude!  The Mayo Clinic has created a four-week virtual challenge (March 30 - May1) called DISCOVER GRATITUDE.  Before we talk about "HOW" to partake in the challenge, lets talk about "WHY" it is an awesome opportunity.  

"WHY" should we DISCOVER GRATITUDE?

This article talks about the following 7 benefits of practicing gratitude:

1. gratitude opens the door to more relationships
2. improves physical health
3. improves psychological health
4. enhances empathy and reduces aggression
5. grateful people sleep better
6. improves self esteem
7. increases mental strength

These may sound like benefits that are geared towards older students or adults.  And they might be, but don't we want to lead by example!?  You could complete the journal together and discuss what you have to be thankful for each day as a family.  What a positive way to start out the day!  An example of showing kindness might be to pick up an elderly neighbor's groceries for him/her.  Then have the conversation about why that is a "kind" thing to do. 

"HOW' WE CAN PARTICIPATE IN THE DISCOVER GRATITUDE CHALLENGE:

DISCOVER GRATITUDE challenges you to do the following 3 activities each day:

1. Journal about the big and small things in life for which you are thankful 
2. Do something kind
3. Take time to be PRESENT in the moment (important for us as adults!)

Discover Gratitude Website - Think link explains more about the challenge.  Share the things you're thankful for on social media with #discovergratitude.
Discover Gratitude Journal Worksheet - Use this document to record your daily journal entries. 

Tag me in your posts of kindness/mindfulness/gratitude @SWGUIDANCE on Twitter! 

See this video for more information:

Dealing With Disappointment

Dealing with disappointment can be difficult for kids (as well as adults).  This activity looks at ways to talk through our disappointment and incorporate coping strategies.  

Here are a few examples of a time when your student may have felt disappointment:

1. When school was closed - or if not then, when the closure period was extended!
2. When they did not get to see their friends 
3. When a sibling gets to do something and they don't 

The list can go on and on, especially applied to our current circumstances with being under quarantine.  I think this activity will help them work through some ways to overcome their disappointment.  Let me know if you have questions!

Dealing with Disappointment Instructions
Dealing with Disappointment Worksheet

NTI Self-Challenges!

SOCIAL / EMOTIONAL SKILLS PRACTICE

The activity for today is actually a "Summer Practice" for social and emotional skills practice.  HOWEVER, we're going through something completely unexpected, which lands us at home, unable to communicate with others like we normally would.  See the attached worksheet for the activity.  The student is able to create goals, draw him/herself showing how he/she felt on their favorite day, and a "check-off" list for challenges.  The challenging part of the challenges, is that we are exercising social distancing.  So, use this as a guide and get creative!  

Practice - Challenges, Goals, Emotions Worksheet

I also really like this "Back-to-School Checklist" as a fun way to exercise healthy habits!

What is Gratitude?

grat·i·tude

/ˈɡradəˌt(y)o͞od/

Learn to pronounce

noun

1. the quality of being thankful; readiness to show appreciation for and to return kindness.

   "she expressed her gratitude to the committee for their support"

Sometimes I think the difference between one person's point of view and another's, is the definitive on the amount of gratitude they are able to express, feel, or share in every situation.  I always try to talk to my students about the positive things in every situation.  We try to focus on what we can be thankful for regardless of our circumstances.  

This activity helps kids identify things that make them happy and what it is that makes them happy.  

What is gratitude? Activity Instructions

What is gratitude? Worksheet

I love this quote by Zig Ziglar (motivational speaker):

Positive Self Talk

POSITIVE SELF TALK

Self-talk is the thoughts that are running through your head.  Use these activities to practice positive self-talk and strengthen the skill of turning negative thoughts/self-talk into positive ones.

Practicing Positive Self Talk - Instructions

Practicing Positive Self-Talk Worksheet 1

Practicing Positive Self-Talk Worksheet 2

Let's Get Physical!

Physical activity is SO very important when it comes to maintaining our physical, mental, and emotional health! 

From the CDC: Physical Activity and Academic Achievement

• Students who are physically active tend to have better grades, school attendance, cognitive performance (e.g., memory), and classroom behaviors (e.g., on-task behavior).14, 15
• Higher physical activity and physical fitness levels are associated with improved cognitive performance (e.g., concentration, memory) among students.14, 15

Challenge yourself to take advantage of the weather when it is nice!  

The following link has indoor and outdoor activities for children toddler ages up through age 8.  30 Indoor and Outdoor Physical Activities for Kids

This link has 45+ Physical Activity examples for kids of all ages - include the whole family!

45+ Fun Physical Activities for Kids of All Ages

IMPULSE CONTROL

IMPULSE CONTROL is something we all have to practice.  As the days of social distancing continue and the need for more creativity with your day increases, we may need to practice impulse control more than ever.  I know I can become irritable when my routine changes and I don't have my normal schedule to follow.  For kids, this could look different depending on the student.  It could be lack of control of emotions and words or it could be lack of control physically due to their emotions.  

Think Before You Speak - This activity is to help those who need guidance and practice on thinking about what they are saying before they say it. 
Educator Directions: Think Before You Speak
Think Before You Speak Poster
Think Before You Speak Worksheet

Help Owlivia Practice Impulse Control - Owlivia is having a birthday party but can't contain her excitement beforehand.  In this activity, students write her a letter including suggestions for staying calm until the party starts.  (She will actually write back if you post it on social media and tag @centervention.)
Directions
Help Owlivia Practice Impulse Control "Poster"

Melt or Freeze Activity - Practice "freezing" when you are able to use self-control, or to stop what you were going to do impulsively to make a good choice instead.  When you "melt" is when you have given in to your impulses.  This activity helps students recognize their melt/freeze options in different scenarios.
Melt or Freeze Activity Instructions
Melt or Freeze Worksheet

Stop and Think Remote - This activity helps kids use their stop and think remote to stop, fast forward, rewind, and play in order to practice stopping and thinking about their choices.  Students will also consider what they could do to avoid negative consequences.
Stop and Think Remote Activity Instructions AND Remote

Impulse Control Strategies: Ready, Set, Go!! - This activity helps students learn strategies for self-control so they gain the ability to resist temptations, urges, or impulses in order to meet their goals!
Impulse Control Intro Lesson: Freeze Game & Poster
Directions and Discussion Questions

FACTS VS ASSUMPTIONS

Facts VS Assumptions

We have all been guilty of jumping to conclusions based on assumptions rather than facts.  I think it is EXTREMELY important to make sure we help our children differentiate between true facts versus what we assumed. 

As adults, we could also use this activity to remind ourselves we need to have opinions based on facts in order to make informed decisions.   Sometimes, this may mean that we research and "investigate" information that is provided.  This is the website for accurate and up-to-date information on COVID-19.  Try not to rely on the news or social media! :) 

Check it Out - Lesson
Check it Out - WS

Facts VS Assumptions Lesson
Facts VS Assumptions WS

COPING

COPING WITH CHANGE

With the COVID-19 affecting not only our change in daily routine but the change in what we can/can't access (play dates, social outings, etc.), it may be difficult to cope with the sudden and drastic changes.  See the following activities for help in guiding your children through this time of uncertainty.

What's In My Control?
*In life, there will be things we can and cannot control.  This activity helps kids determine what they can and can't control and how to cope with the things that are out of their control.
What's In My Control Lesson 
What's In My Control? - Circle Of Control WS

Big Changes VS Small Changes
* Use this activity to talk about examples of change (big and small).

The Kids Are Alright, But They Don’t Like Change

Big Changes VS Small Changes Lesson Plan

Big Changes VS Small Changes WS

Coping Skills

*Use this activity to talk about examples of how to cope with change.

Coping Skills Activity Lesson Plan

Coping Skills WS

FEELINGS

FEELINGS

Is it like pulling teeth to get your child(ren) to talk to you about how they are feeling?  Try one of these activities!  

THE FEEL WHEEL:  Help kids share how they are feeling with emojis.
The Feel Wheel: Lesson Directions
The Feel Wheel Worksheet

FEELINGS FACES: This worksheet will help kids match emojis to how they are feeling.  After laminating the worksheet, have students use a dry erase marker to mark their answers for each situation. Once you’ve talked that situation through, they can simply erase their marks, choose a new sentence, and repeat. (If you don’t have access to a laminator, you can also slip the worksheet into a plastic page protector.) 
Match the Emotions: Feelings Faces

Having students talk about how someone else is feeling also helps them understand THEIR OWN feelings.  Even thought this is a "valentines day" activity, it is great to use year round!
Lesson Directions
When someone is feeling...

HOW AM I FEELING??  Karma the Chameleon helps students learn about moods and feelings (coloring activity)
How Am I Feeling?

SUPERHERO TOOL KIT: EMOTION IDENTIFICATION
Emotion Identifier

Anxiety

ANXIETY AND WORRY

There are a lot of things going on in the world today that make us worry or scared.  I have attached a few lessons you could do with your kids to help them manage their anxiety levels. 

Fill Up Your Worry Cup Lesson Instructions

Fill Up Your Worry Cup WS

Fill Up Your Worry Cup - Breaking Down Thoughts WS

Deep Breaths Worksheet

Belly Breathing - Emotion Regulation

The Worry Scale - Lesson Instructions
The Worry Scale - Worksheet

Emotion Regulation - Calm Down Tools Worksheet


FOR THE PARENTS/ADULTS

Borrowed from an email this week:

You are invited to ...

Breathe

Breath is a powerful tool that can help you feel stable when everything around you feels shaky.  If you start to get fidgety or anxious, close your eyes and take a few deep inhales and exhales.  Breathe in to the count of 4, 3, 2, 1; hold it at the top for the same four-count; and then release to the same count.

Move

This doesn't need to be anything intense.  A few simple yoga poses like mountain pose to a forward fold can calm you down and get your blood moving at the same time.  Go for a walk.  If you're nervous, take a walk up and down the steps. 

Be kind to yourself

One thing is for certain; Kindness matters more than ever.  People show their most vulnerable sides in a crisis.  So, knowing that may help people extend extra kindness to strangers, friends, and neighbors.

Did you know?  

Yoga protects the brain from the decline in gray matter brain volume as we age?  Check out this video for a quick relaxing yoga session you can enjoy while at your desk.  

Food Services During NTI Days

Please click on the following like for up-to-date information regarding meal services plans.

MEAL SERVICE PLAN FOR NON TRADITIONAL INSTRUCTION DAYS

Meal Service Plan for Non Traditional Instruction Days (NTI)

Beginning Monday, March 16th, 2020 Calloway County Schools will be providing a "grab and go" meal that includes lunch and the next day's breakfast for anyone 18 and under at the front entrance of CCMS from 10:30am-12:30pm Monday-Fridays.

On Thursday, March 19th, 2020 CCSD will be providing six additional mobile food distribution sites where parents and/or students can pick up a "grab and go" meal that includes lunch and the next day's breakfast.  These mobile sites will be open from 10:30-11:30am on week days.

The mobile sites are:

• Riviera Courts near mailboxes
• East Elementary School
• Hazel Baptist Church
• Dexter Church of Christ
• Lynn Grove old store parking lot
• Blood River Baptist Church.

CCSD strongly encourages you to use one of these seven sites for the "grab and go" meals.  If extraordinary circumstances prohibit you from being able to go to a site, please call 270-762-7304 from 8:00am-1:00pm Monday-Friday.  

If your child has a special dietary plan on file with the district and you will be picking up meals at CCMS, please call: 270-762-7304.

Local Contact Information for Community Agencies

Should you need additional outside counseling resources, please let me know.  

Murray Area Counseling options:

Murray Area Counseling/Treatment Options

Child Abuse/Neglect

Cabinet for Health and Family Services Website

The Lakes Region

Ballard, Caldwell, Calloway, Carlisle, Christian, Crittenden, Fulton, Graves, Hickman, Hopkins, Livingston, Lyon, Marshall, McCracken, Muhlenberg, Trigg and Todd

Family Support Programs:  
Phone (855) 306-8959

Report Child Abuse and Neglect: 
Online - non-emergency only (Monitored from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm Eastern time, Monday - friday.  Reports will not be reviewed during evenings, weekends, or state holidays.)
Phone (877) 597-2331/(877) KYSAFE1 or (800) 752-6200
Fax (270) 388-4824

NTI Information, Resources, and Contact Information

Hello Laker Family! 

I want you to know I will be available to help you throughout the NTI days.  Please see below about how to contact me.

1. Via Telephone - You can call Southwest Calloway Elementary / 270-762-7345 extension 4107.

2. Email:  chelsea.neale@calloway.kyschools.us
Please use this if you have questions or concerns and I will address them as quickly as possible.

3. Google Hangouts:  You will need to contact me prior to this to make sure I am available.  We can set  up a virtual meeting!

• Go to Google Hangouts.  
• Then you can click on "video call," "phone call," or "message," and follow the procedures from there.  
• Use my email to connect. We can then chat via one of those methods.

Posts will be continuously added to provide information regarding topics that will help us navigate these next few weeks!

SAMPLE Daily Schedule

Use this schedule as a guideline.  

What works for you might be different than the example listed below. 

Your schedule may also be different from another family’s schedule.

If you need help coming up with a schedule, let me know!  - Mrs. Neale

NTI Information - a quick word from Mrs. Neale!

PLEASE DISREGARD ABOUT ACCESSING THE GOOGLE DRIVE FOR INFORMATION - IT IS ALL POSTED ON THIS BLOG INSTEAD! 

THANK YOU!

RESOURCES

Below is a list of resources that are useful for talking to your children about COVID-19.  

Up-to-date information and changes from the Kentucky Department of Education
2019 Novel Coronavirus

Article from the Child Mind Institute
Talking to Kids About the Coronavirus

8 Ways to Manage your Coronavirus-Related Anxiety
Managing your Coronavirus-Related Anxiety

From the CDC
Helping Children Cope with Emergencies

Multilingual Resources
Coronavirus: Multilingual Resources for Schools

Brain Pop Video Explaining the Coronavirus to Kids
Coronavirus

Just For Kids: A Comic Exploring The New Coronavirus
Coronaviruszine_1.jpg
How to fold it:
How to make a zine from one piece of printer paper

National Association of School Psychologists
Talking to Children About COVID-19 (Coronavirus): A Parent Resource

National Child Traumatic Stress Network - Helping Families Cope