CORNERSTONE NEWSLETTER

In this last month of our ABC Program for the year,  we read the book The Recess Queen by Alexis O’Neill. In this story, Mean Jean the “recess queen” rules the playground with an iron fist. No one dares cross her path for fear of being hit, punched, or kicked. One day, a new girl shows up on the playground and catches Mean Jean completely off guard. Katie Sue is not the least bit intimidated by Mean Jean. Katie Sue actually invites her to join in a jump rope game! In no time, Jean and Katie Sue become friends.

This clever book helps our students think of creative ideas to handle bully behaviors during lunch and recess. Our lesson discussed:

• Ways to fill buckets for the bully
• How UPstanders can improve school climate on the playground
• Peaceful ways to diffuse conflicts using I Messages
• Using the many tools in the ABC toolbox learned throughout the year

Using I Messages is a technique that our children have practiced to peacefully resolve conflicts. As a caring adult, here are steps you can use to help youth in emotionally charged conflicts:

• • Help them identify the conflict.
  • Without interruption, have each person describe briefly what happened.
  • Use empathetic listening. No judging, just listening.
  • Have each of the involved persons name how they feel with an “I statement”:   I feel ______ when ______because ______
  • Help children repeat and refine their statements until tension from the misunderstanding or conflict subsides.
  • Celebrate the successful resolution of conflicts and acknowledge the compromises each person made so that the solution would work!

You are the most influential role model in your child’s life. By remaining calm in response to frustration, you help your child learn how to react peacefully in difficult social situations. Your guidance, empathy and support allow them to practice and acquire new skills. Your swift and empathetic response to bully behaviors helps our school and community feel safe and more caring for all kids.

I hope you have enjoyed hearing about our ABC program this year. More tools and strategies to improve school climate will be discussed in next year’s ABC Program. Please email pchenryford@gmail.com to join me as an ABC Reader next year! To learn more about Project Cornerstone, check out www.projectcornerstone.org.