Newsletters

A Message from Our School Counselor

September: Problem-Solving

Kindergarten through 2^nd Grade:

Hello, as a reminder, this year, the counseling department will be following monthly themes that correspond to different SEL goals and will be reflected through all grade levels. Resources will be sent out each month to teachers and families so that you are aware of what your students are learning, and to support/reinforce the information at home.

Our theme for October is problem-solving – we will be utilizing the Kelso’s Choices Curriculum to highlight how students can solve small problems on their own. Conflict, disagreement, and communication error are all normal and often happen when children are all together. However, hurtful words and physical contact are unacceptable ways to deal with these disagreements at school. Through the Kelso’s Choices curriculum, we assist students in understanding the difference between BIG and small problems. Once the students have identified what type of problem it is, we move on to solving it.

Our goal is to teach students several positive ways to deal with difficult situations (or small problems). To do this, we ask students who have small problems to try at least two of the following skills to solve the problem:

1.      Go to another game or activity.

2.      Share and take turns.

3.      Respectfully talk it over

4.      Walk away from the problem.

5.      Ignore the problem behavior.

6.      Tell the person to stop.

7.      Apologize.

8.      Make a deal.

9.      Wait and cool off.

Learn more about Kelso’s Choices Here

Printable Kelso’s Choices Wheel

Kelso’s Choices Willow Pond Storybook Videos

 

A Message from Our School Counselor

September: Problem-Solving

3^rd - 5^th Grade:

Hello, as a reminder, this year, the counseling department will be following monthly themes that correspond to different SEL goals and will be reflected through all grade levels. Resources will be sent out each month to teachers and families so that you are aware of what your students are learning, and to support/reinforce the information at home.

Our theme for September is problem-solving – we will be utilizing the K.C.’s Choices Curriculum to highlight how students can solve small problems on their own. Conflict, disagreement, and communication error are all normal and often happen when children are all together. However, hurtful words and physical contact are unacceptable ways to deal with these disagreements at school. Through the K.C.’s Choices curriculum, we assist students in understanding the difference between BIG and small problems. Once the students have identified what type of problem it is, we move on to solving it.

Our goal is to teach students several positive ways to deal with difficult situations (or small problems). To do this, we ask students who have small problems to try at least two of the following skills to solve the problem:

1.    Talk it out.

2.    Apologize.

3.    Tell them to stop.

4.    Make a deal.

5.    Wait and cool off.

6.    Walk away.

7.    Go to another game.

8.    Ignore it.

Learn more about K.C.’s Choices Here

Printable K.C.’s Choices Wheel

As always, if you have any questions or need more support for your student, please reach out!

Shine Lingenbrink – M.Ed., NCC (She/They)

LingenbrinkR@Issaquah.Wednet.edu

Counselor Corner

A Message from our School Counselor, Shine Lingenbrink

 

Welcome Back Challenger Families!

I am excited to welcome our new and returning Challenger families back to school! I am looking forward to starting my 4^th year at Challenger and getting to know your students this year. I support with school-wide programs, by visiting each classroom to teach lessons, facilitate small group learning based on need, meet one on one with students to support social/emotional well-being, and connect families to resources. You can visit the Challenger School Counseling Website for more information about my program.

Separation Anxiety Resources

The first couple of days back can be exciting, tiring, and a little nerve racking. As students return to their school year schedules, getting up early, and building the stamina needed to attend a full school day, it is typical for families to experience the “growing pains” that accompany any major change. Your student may feel more tired than usual these first few days, which is to be expected! Some students may also experience challenges with separation from you and may exhibit school avoidance behaviors as a result. Below you will find strategies to help with separation anxiety that I hope you will find helpful. If this persists for more than a couple of weeks, please feel free to reach out to me for additional support.

Strategies for students who struggle with separation

1.    Using transitional objects

2.    Leaving a picture of yourself or your family with the child

3.    Shift the focus from the separation to their next connection with you

4.    Using the stepladder approach

5.    Using social stories or books to equip your child

6.    Using consistent goodbye rituals

Click here for more details and examples for implementing these strategies.

Family Resources

 

As the year goes on, we want to be responsive to the needs of our students and families. We recognize that sometimes families need support beyond the classroom. Please email the school counselor (lingenbrinkr@issaquah.wednet.edu) if your family would like to be included in emails about community supports throughout the year (including financial/basic needs, major family changes, social-emotional/mental health, etc.).

Power Packs – Food for the Weekend

Issaquah School District partners with the Issaquah Food and Clothing Bank to provide Power Packs to our Challenger Families!

The Power pack program provides students with non-perishable breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snack items to enjoy over the weekend. Power Packs will be discreetly distributed to students at school every Friday.

 

To register, please email Shine Lingenbrink (LingenbrinkR@Issaquah.wednet.edu).

 

Please note that you can register with the Issaquah Food and Clothing Bank to receive additional food items including fresh produce.

 

Sincerely,

Shine Lingenbrink M.Ed.

(425)837-7555

LingenbrinkR@issaquah.wednet.edu

Challenger School Counselor

 

 

 

• Summer Resources

Shine Lingenbrink, School Counselor M.Ed., NCC

LingenbrinkR@Issaquah.wednet.edu

Summer Ideas:

·         Local Summer Camps and Programs: Registration is already open for many programs, and spots fill up fast! Here are some ideas for local summer programs: Local Summer Opportunities.

·         Academic Practice:

o   Reading, Writing and Math Resources: Here are some ideas for supporting your student's learning while they are away from school this summer. These ISD supported digital resources can be accessed through student Clever accounts.

o   Reading is a great way to keep kids engaged in learning over the summer.

·         Here are some tips to ignite a love of learning. Learn how

·         If your child does not like reading books or struggles with reading, here are some great audiobooks for kids: All kids need are a set of headphones and a vivid imagination.

·         Is Your Child Bored? One of the many complaints that parents get during the summers and on weekends is that their children are bored. Post this visual or create a “bored jar” to spark creativity!

·         Apps That Inspire Kids to Play Outside:

o   Apps designed for outdoor adventures let kids do everything from studying bugs to identifying constellations. Click here

·         Must-Have Apps for Family Travel: Keep kids entertained and learning during the long hauls.

·         Apps for Road Trips 

·         Apps for Long Flights

·         Tips for Managing Screen Time:

o   Create a Healthy “Play-Diet” for the summer: Play -Diet

·         Examples of family media agreements on the Common Sense Media website: Family Media Agreement or HealthyChildren.org Customize Your Own Family Media Use Agreement.

·         There's also a Tech Tips page that gives some quick changes families can implement right away.

·         Internet Safety: You can learn more about how to support your child with internet safety including digital citizenship here. You can also find an ultimate parent guide to internet safety within various platforms that your child may be using including TikTok, Minecraft and Roblox here.

·         Taking Caution on YouTube

Many of our students spend time on YouTube at home for entertainment. We do our best to keep a close eye out at school when kids have access to the internet. However, this is a reminder that anyone can post videos on YouTube, and kids may be exposed to disturbing and potentially dangerous content.

o   The website below will help you navigate how to manage and monitor your child’s use of YouTube: Common Sense Media:

Parenting Websites:

·         ParentMap: Resources and ideas on health, education, food and home, parenting, family media, and camps. Check out the calendar for fun, local events to enjoy with the family!

·         Parenting Guides: Resources on academics, social emotional well-being, health and wellness, and student growth benchmarks.

·         Healthy Children: Resources for ages and stages, healthy living, safety and prevention, family life, health issues, tips and tools.

Parenting Books:

·         Positive Discipline

·         1-2-3 Magic: Effective Discipline for Children 2-12

·         No Drama Discipline: The Whole-Brain Way to Calm the Chaos and Nurture Your Child's Developing Mind

·         The Whole-Brain Child: 12 Revolutionary Strategies to Nurture Your Child's Developing Mind

A Message from Our School Counselor

Hello Challenger Families!

Our school counseling theme for June is Resilience – What is resilience? Resilience is the quality that enables us to adapt to and overcome adverse conditions in our lives. Resilience is a great indicator that will allow our students to be successful in the future. Being open to and moving towards new challenges in our lives is something that all resilient people do. If it’s easy then it’s not a challenge. As we have all learned, some things are just out of our control. Remember, we can’t control everything that happens to us, but we can control how we respond. Sometimes that makes all the difference.

It is impossible to protect your child (or ourselves for that matter) from all of the ups and downs of life. Life can be great and challenging, but by fostering these ideas in your children now, you will help them grow successfully in adolescence and help them better navigate adulthood.

• Allow them to experience disappointment. They will learn that sadness (like any emotion) is temporary.
• Validate their fears. Even if they are afraid of something, help them make plans to do the things that scare them. (Example: A child is afraid of speaking in front of the class. Work with their teacher and have them present in small increments. Eventually they will become more comfortable and confident in themselves).
• Allow them to take reasonable risks and experience the natural consequences of their actions.
• Encourage them to try new things, make mistakes, and learn from those mistakes. We all make mistakes; what matters is how we bounce back from them and learn.
• Give them the opportunities to make their own decisions and problem solve,
• Tell them stories of people who went through hard times but persisted. This can be celebrities, or people in their families, or you as parents!
• Reframe challenges as short-term problems and opportunities to grow. 

See Resources Below!

Resources for Children and Care Givers

Wellness for Children: Resilience (video)

Roald Dahl’s Marvellous Children’s Charity’s Phizz-whizzing Workshops: Resilience (video)

The Hugging Tree: A Story About Resilience (video read aloud)

Becoming Resilient for Kids (video)

Resilience: A Book to Encourage Resilience, Persistence, and to Help Children Bounce Back from Challenges and Adversity (video read aloud)

Building Your Character: Resilience (video)

10 Ways to Build and Develop Resilience (video – for older students or adults)

Resilience Animation (video – for adults)

 

As always, if you have any questions or need more support for your student, please reach out!

Shine Lingenbrink – M.Ed., NCC (She/They)

LingenbrinkR@Issaquah.Wednet.edu

 

A Message from Our School Counselor

 Hello Challenger Families!

Our school counseling theme for May is Empathy and Compassion – As our Second Step lessons have taught us, being empathetic is feeling or understanding what someone else is feeling. Compassion is when we put our empathy into action and think about what we can do to help someone else.

Students can practice these skills by…

Putting themselves in another person’s shoes.  When you see someone, who is feeling a big emotion or having a hard time, you stop to think about what that would be like and what things you might need if you were feeling that way.

Looking out for others.  When someone gets hurt, you help them find help.  When someone is feeling sad, angry, frustrated, or upset, you offer your help and ask them what they need.  Sometimes it could be someone to talk to, or some space, or someone to encourage them to keep trying!

Helping the people around them.  You know what it’s like to have a tricky problem that isn’t easy to solve.  When others ask you for help, you help them brainstorm how to solve friendship and classwork problems!

Being kind to others.  You are kind to the people around you, even those who are not your close friends.  You know that we all have feelings and deserve kindness and show this in how you interact with others!

See Resources Below!

Resources for Children:

All about Empathy for Kids (video)

Books for Children about Empathy (article)

I Choose Empathy by Elizabeth Estrada (read aloud)

Empathy is Your Superpower by Cori Bussolari (read aloud)

A Little Sport of Empathy by Diane Alber (read aloud)

Sesame Street: Mark Ruffalo: Empathy (video)

 

Resources for Caregivers/Adults:

Empathy Activities and Information (article)

Books for Caregivers about Empathy (article)

The Importance of Empathy (video)

How Empathy Works (video)

As always, if you have any questions or need more support for your student, please reach out!

Shine Lingenbrink – M.Ed., NCC (She/They)

LingenbrinkR@Issaquah.Wednet.edu

 

A Message from Our School Counselor

Hello Challenger Families!

Our school counseling theme for March is Decision-Making – we will be exploring the reasoning behind different decisions students may have to make at school, and within our community. One way to understand the idea of decision-making is, doing the right in face of difficulty, courage, patience. Challenger students will have the opportunity to learn about doing the right thing, even when it is difficult and how this is part of good decision making. In each classroom, Ms. Lingenbrink will provide students with the opportunity to discuss what it means to be a decision maker, as well as the processes that good decision makers use. As children grow up, the decisions they face change, and it is therefore important for families to discuss the skill of making good choices throughout the childhood years.

As parents and teachers, we can promote our children’s development of decision-making skills by helping them to see that they make choices all the time. We can help our students see that when they make choices and face consequences (both positive and negative), they learn responsibility. Giving your child the opportunity to make decisions is a powerful teaching method because it allows for children to learn from natural consequences. If there are no natural consequences, parents sometimes have to establish a logical one. Make sure that your children have a clear understanding of their actions and the consequences that go with them.

Things to remember:

Model good choices –truth telling, being kind to others, following rules, and choosing healthy friends are all good examples.

Let them make decisions. Give your children plenty of opportunities to make decisions over small issues. Examples include giving your child a small allowance, allowing them to “choose” whether they remember to bring their lunch to school, or letting them decide whether they want to wear their coat or carry it.

Listen to your child’s point of view. Take time to explain your decisions and motives.

Praise your child when he/she makes a good choice. For example: when chores are done without reminders, when good manners are shown, when your child walks away from an argument.

Focus on empathy. When addressing your child’s behavior, focus attention on how other affected people might feel. Let empathy and logical consequences do the teaching. Empathy is the key!

Let them keep trying. Acknowledge that trying and failing is part of learning.

Here are a few suggestions to continue the learning at home:

Books that relate to Decision Making: (Read Aloud Videos) 

My Magical Choices, by Becky Cummings

Howard B. Wigglebottom

Charlie and the Choosing Chair

What Should Danny Do? By Ganit & Adir Levy 

Resources for Caregivers:

Teaching Responsible Decision Making

As always, if you have any questions or need more support for your student, please reach out!

Shine Lingenbrink – M.Ed., NCC (She/They)

LingenbrinkR@Issaquah.Wednet.edu

 

A Message from Our School Counselor

 

A Message from Our School Counselor

Hello Challenger Families!

Our school counseling theme for February is Friendship – one way to think about Friendship is “a person you aren’t related to that you know and like, who likes you back and you enjoy spending time together”. Friendship is an important skill to learn because Friendships help children develop emotionally and morally, which can have an influence on their academics as well. Friendships can have a major impact on our health and well-being. 

It's not always easy to build or maintain friendships, at any age.  It is important to teach students the importance of friendships in their lives and how they can develop and nurture them. Throughout February, students will be learning the following concepts: How to identify what characteristics are important in a friend; How to identify what a good friend does; & How to practice skills that help them make friends.

Here are a few suggestions to continue the learning at home:

Books that relate to Friendship: (Read Aloud Videos) 

A Friend is Someone Who - by Marilee Joy Mayfield: https://youtu.be/jhpEetRseXE

Kindness is My Superpower - by Alicia Ortego: https://youtu.be/6P-Y_M9q7RM

How do Dinosaurs Stay Friends - by Jane Yolen: https://youtu.be/jyaXjZFKFHw

List of Friendship Books 

Resources for Caregiver 

The Importance of Friendship

Benefits of Childhood Friendships

As always, if you have any questions or need more support for your student, please reach out!

Shine Lingenbrink – M.Ed., NCC (She/Her)

LingenbrinkR@Issaquah.Wednet.edu

Hello Challenger Families!

Our theme for December is Mindfulness – one way to think about Mindfulness is, “being aware of what’s happening in the present moment”. We use mindfulness to help our brains and bodies calm down, but also to support our learning and focus. Being mindful is the opposite of rushing or multitasking. Throughout January, students will learn about mindfulness, how to listen to our bodies, and different ways to take care of our bodies when needed. We will also be creating a bulletin board about mindfulness in the front atrium as a school.

(For Adults) Books and Resources about Mindfulness

Click Here to Read Why Mindfulness is Important 

• The Whole-Brain Child - by Dan Siegel & Tina Bryson
• Self-Reg: How to Help Your Child (and You) Break the Stress Cycle and Successfully Engage with Life - by Stuart Shanker
• Smart but Scattered: The Revolutionary “Executive Skills” Approach to Helping Kids Reach Their Potential - by Peg Dawson & Richard Guare

(For Kids) Books related to mindful practices (click title for read alouds):

• Thankful, by Elaine Vickers.
• The Boy with Big, Big Feelings, by Britney Winn Lee.
• Be You! by Peter H. Reynolds
• A Little Spot of Flexible Thinking, by Diane Alber
• I Am Human, by Susan Verde

(For Everyone) Mindfulness Activities to Try at Home:

• 51 Mindfulness Activities – Many different types of activities to try.
• Mindfulness YouTube Playlist – Check out a few videos for guided mindfulness

Hello Challenger Families!

As a reminder, this year, the counseling department will be following monthly themes that correspond to different SEL goals and will be reflected through all grade levels. Resources will be sent out each month to teachers and families so that you are aware of what your students are learning, and to support/reinforce the information at home.

Our theme for December is Respect – one way to think about Respect is "seeing value in all people and treating them with care". Different people feel respected in different ways and we hope this month we can inspire discussion with families and students about what Respect means to you and how to practice together! Throughout December, students will learn about differences, perspective taking, and how to be respectful here at school (and at home). We will be creating a bulletin board, as a school, with all of the ways we can show respect.

Here are a few suggestions to continue the learning at home:

Review Respect as a family! Remember that in our lessons we are teaching that Respect means to see value in people and things and treat them with care. Agree as a family to set aside a certain time each day this week to unplug from devices and plug into family time. It shows Respect to practice being present in the moment without the distractions that can come from technology. Debrief and discuss this challenge afterward and commit to this practice at least 1 day each week!

Being Respectful is linked to a student’s identity as well, discussing family traditions and other things that are unique to your family is a great way to link these two.

Books that relate to Respect and Differences: (Read Aloud Videos)

• The Power of One
• The Invisible Boy
• What Does it Mean To Be Kind
• Same, Same but Different
• Doing unto Otters

As always, if you have any questions or need more support for your student, please reach out!

Shine Lingenbrink – M.Ed., NCC (She/Her) LingenbrinkR@Issaquah.Wednet.edu

A Message from the School Counselor, Ms. Lingenbrink

November Theme: Responsibility

Hello, as a reminder, this year, the counseling department will be following monthly themes that correspond to different SEL goals and will be reflected through all grade levels. Resources will be sent out each month to teachers and families so that you are aware of what your students are learning, and to support/reinforce the information at home.

Our November theme this year is Responsibility - Being responsible means that people can depend on you.  You are accountable for what you do or do not do. 

Responsible Students…

®    Set goals. Goals keep you focused on what is important and what is not.   If you have a vision of where you want to go, you are more likely to get there.

®    Follow the rules. Rules are made to protect us.  Following the rules shows you are responsible and can be trusted.

®    Keep their commitments. If they say they will do something you can count on them getting it done. 

®    They accept the results of their actions.  If they have acted unkind to others they apologize.  They understand that if they broke a rule their might be consequences.  They tell the truth about good things and not so good things they may have done and work to make a better choice next time!

®    Care for others.  Being kind to others, even those others who are not your close friends.  Inviting others to play at recess is a great way to show you care!

®    Care for their surroundings. Leaving their lunch table clean.  Being responsible for cleaning up after themselves in their classroom and elsewhere.

Below is a list of resources you can explore to further support the strategies your student is learning this month!

A Little Spot of Responsibility – Read Aloud

The Circles All Around Us – Read Aloud

The Way I Act – Read Aloud

Developing Responsibility in Children

7 Tips – Teaching Your Child Responsibility

 

As always, if you have any questions or need more support for your student, please reach out!

Shine Lingenbrink – M.Ed., NCC (She/They)

LingenbrinkR@Issaquah.Wednet.edu

Family Letter – Second Step Bully Prevention Unit

Dear Families,

As you know, your child’s teacher uses the Second Step Social Emotional Learning (SEL) program in their classroom. The Second Step program teaches children important skills for getting along with others and doing well in school. It also helps our school be a safe, respectful place where everyone can learn. To further help our school be a safe and respectful place, we are also going to teach the Second Step Bullying Prevention Unit in October.

Students will learn how to:

• Recognize when bullying is happening
• Report bullying to a caring adult and Refuse to let bullying happen to themselves or others
• Be a bystander who stands up and is part of the solution to bullying
• Show kindness to everyone

In addition, each lesson comes with a “Home Link”, which are simple, fun activities that will help you understand what your child is learning about bullying at school. They also give your child another chance to practice skills for handling bullying. Click below to access your child’s grade level home links:

• Kindergarten Home Links - For more, go to SecondStep.org with activation key BPUK FAMI LY00
• 1st Grade Home Links - For more, go to SecondStep.org with activation key BPU1 FAMI LY01
• 2nd Grade Home Links - For more, go to SecondStep.org with activation key BPU2 FAMI LY02
• 3rd Grade Home Links - For more, go to SecondStep.org with activation key BPU3 FAMI LY03
• 4th Grade Home Links – For more, go to SecondStep.org with activation key BPU4 FAMI LY04
• 5th Grade Home Links – For more, go to SecondStep.org with activation key BPU5 FAMI LY05

For bullying prevention to work, everyone at school needs to be involved; so, our staff strives to:

• Recognize and respond to bullying
• Support children who have been bullied
• Correct behaviors of children who are bullying
• Use strategies that support a positive school and classroom climate

And we need your help, too! Get involved in making our school a safe and respectful place by letting us know if you hear about bullying at our school. Make sure your child knows to tell you or someone at school if he or she is being bullied. Help your child understand the difference between mean/rude behavior, a conflict, and bullying. Additionally, give your child the clear message that it is never okay to bully others.

If you have any questions about the Bullying Prevention Unit or the Second Step program, please contact us. Also, check out our district website for more information about our anti-bullying policy and specific procedures. Thank you for helping us make our school a safe, respectful place where everyone can learn.

Sincerely,

Shine Lingenbrink (School Counselor) LingenbrinkR@Issaquah.wednet.edu