Welcome Back to 2017-2018 School Year!

 

 

How was your summer?  Some summer's are so good... they are a little hard to shake. 

Hope yours was good to you and you are left daydreaming just a little about

something you did or accomplished.

 

I am always excited to return to school each year!  

 

And yet...

 I am reminded that not every student enters that first day with the same sense of excitement as some of their teachers and peers. 

 

Parents and Teachers:

Here are a few inspirational quotes to share and discuss with your kids to help them keep this time of their life in perspective and not give up or give in.

 

And Finally...

One for all the grown-ups teaming to help each student!

  As we strive for excellence and help each student reach their potential, let's not forget that this is only a piece of making our students and our world truly excellent!

 

 

Have a great School Year!

2016-2017 WRAP-UP

What a year!  

It has been a privilege working with our amazing art therapy students and supporting and witnessing such important growth

We have found ways to express what we need.

"Leader"- A painting that changed several times until it made the right statement for now.  

We have created for those who support us the most.

Pottery for Mother's Day

And now we ready the room for another Summer Break!

Mr.Schwartz's Art Therapy Room at West.  Still Proud of our AMS Artist Saheem for that ARTSY Poster image!!!

Have a safe and splashy summer!

And Finally...Here is an article for parents interested in keeping their kids' brains and hearts active and growing through the summer months.
PBS Parents:  "Connecting With Kids Through Art"
http://www.pbs.org/parents/education/music-arts/connecting-with-kids-through-art/

ARTSY Art ready to be hung!

How Excited Art Thou?

The art is all gathered...

and ready to be hung.

Our pieces will sparkle...

their songs will be sung.

Please Join us to Celebrate 

This Saturday, April 22nd

1:00-3:00

at

Jacoby Art Center

Creative and Assertive!

Creative & Assertive!

 

Mr. Schwartz's Workshop has been busting at the seams

with creative expression!

and

Our 4th, 5th and 6th graders have recently wrapped

up a 5 lesson training on what it means to

try to meet our needs and solve our differences

in an ASSERTIVE way!

It is exciting to see how many of our art therapy

students can now recognize when an

interaction is assertive, passive or aggressive.

As we welcome in the SPRING season

(which tried desperately to pop up in the winter...)

We are excited to be working on art pieces

that will be featured in this year's

20th Annual ARTSY Art Exhibit

April 22-28th.  More info to come!

Artist's renderings that celebrate

the legacy of

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

 

Peace pencil art by one of our 3rd grade students in session

(Painting framed by pencils by an artist named Derick Russell 2013)

 

Happy 2017! 

 

I am sharing a link and the article that has some excellent tips for how to make setting NEW YEARS goals more meaningful for kids!  And... as usual, this is not bad advice for adult goals as well. 

Here's to a new year of realistic and meaningful goals for us all!

https://www.understood.org/en/family/events-outings/holidays-celebrations/how-kids-with-learning-and-attention-issues-can-set-and-stick-to-new-years-goals

How Kids With Learning and Attention Issues Can Set and Stick to New Year’s Goals

By Lexi Walters Wright

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At a Glance

• Making New Year’s resolutions can empower your child to change a behavior or work on a new skill.
• Good New Year’s resolutions are thoughtfully made with reasonable end goals in mind.
• Progress charts and regular check-ins can help kids keep their resolutions on track.

Ideally, New Year’s resolutions teach kids how to set and work steadily toward goals. That can be especially valuable for those who have learning and attention issues. But your child may need some help creating meaningful goals she’ll be able to stick with.

Creating a New Year’s Goal

However appealing an end goal is, it’s easy to get sidetracked. Help your child craft a sustainable plan by following the same SMART guidelines you would use for an IEP goal: Make sure it’s:

• Specific: The resolution should include your child’s goal, the skill she’s working on and how she’ll achieve it: “To become a better trumpet player by our May concert, I’ll practice 30 minutes a day.”
• Measurable: She should track her progress—on a chart or in regular check-ins with you.
• Attainable: The goal should be ambitious but realistic—something that will stretch your child’s skills but not overwhelm her.
• Results-oriented: The resolution should explain what she’ll be able to do once she reaches her goal. For example: “Studying with a tutor twice a week will help me consistently get As in math.”
• Time-bound: Your child’s resolution should specify a reasonable time frame and can include mini-goals along the way (mini-successes can be very motivating).

And another big must:

• Relevance: Your child has to want to set and reach this goal! She should feel eager and committed.

What a Good Resolution Looks Like

Your child’s specific goals will depend on her challenges, abilities and interests. Here are a few examples of how you might help her refine her ideas.

Social Skills Resolution
Beginning idea: “I’ll be the most popular kid in my class.”
Resolution: “This year, I’ll make more friends. Twice a month, I’ll invite someone over from school or Scouts.”

Academic Resolution
Beginning idea: “I’m going to get all As this year.”
Resolution: “In January, I’ll get a B or better on every science quiz by studying at least 45 minutes for each one and asking my teacher for advice on studying.”

Athletic Resolution
Beginning idea: “I’ll start running and make the varsity track team this spring.”
Resolution: “To learn to run, I’ll download a training app. Then I’ll practice for a Valentine’s Day 5K. If I like it, I’ll find a 10K over summer break.”

Working Toward a New Year’s Goal

As your child works on achieving his resolution, she’ll also be building important skills like:

• Self-reflection: “How do I want to improve this year?”
• Self-advocacy: “What do I need to do to help me reach my goal?”
• Self-awareness: “Am I making progress toward my goal?”
• Problem-solving and self-control: “What can I do to get back on track?”
• Self-esteem: “How does achieving my goal make me feel?”

Encourage her to step back and ask herself questions like these—or even discuss the answers with you—along the way. They’ll help her stay on track and get more out of the experience.

Helping Your Child Stick With It

However good her intentions—and her plan—your child may sometimes have trouble persevering. These tips can help you help her:

• If your child agrees, consider joining her. You’ll make each other more accountable. “I’m also looking to exercise more this year. How about we swim together at the Y every Saturday morning?”
• Don’t nag. In addition to the regular progress checks you’ve built in, ask questions and offer reminders—but in ways your child can accept. Some kids might respond well to: “I know you wanted to have someone over twice a month. Has that happened yet for February?” Others might do better with, “We don’t have any plans this weekend, if you want to have a teammate over.”
• Share your own experiences. Be honest about what did and didn’t help you with your New Year’s resolutions. “I’m so glad I joined the library book club last year. It really helped me reach my daily page goal.”
• Make it meaningful. Let your child work hard at her resolution. If she doesn’t achieve it, you can help make sure that her struggle is motivating, not paralyzing. Talk through how things went off-track and what she might do differently next time.

Explore Parenting Coach for more ideas on how to help your child stick with it and not give up.

Key Takeaways

• Like IEP goals, New Year’s goals should be specific, measurable, attainable, results-oriented and time-bound.
• Even if your child doesn’t reach her goal, setting it and working toward it can be a meaningful experience for her.
• There are ways you can help your child stay on track as she works toward her goal.

About the Author

Lexi Walters Wright

A veteran writer, editor and sometime librarian, Lexi Walters Wright is proud to serve families at Understood.org.