We are considering the development of a grief group at Tripp Community in response to the unfortunate reality that there have been a number of children within our D102 community who have experienced the loss of a parent/loved one or the recent separation/divorce of their parents. As we all know, these life events can have a significant impact on our students.

This group will be intended to provide a safe space for children to help each other deal with grief and loss. During our time together children will be encouraged to express their feelings in an effective manner as well as taught ways to successfully manage and cope with difficult situations. If you feel that your child could benefit from being a part of this type of group or if you would like to find out more about local grief resources, please contact Kjersten Jennings, social worker, directly at kjennings@d102.org or (847) 955-3623.

Tripp students and staff celebrated Red Ribbon Week October 24^th – 28^th, 2011. This year the theme of Red Ribbon Week was “One School, One Goal: Bully & Drug Free!” This theme highlighted not only the importance of making the choice to live a drug free life, but also shed light on the subject of bullying and the power that each one of us has to make Tripp a BULLY FREE school.

At the beginning of the week, every student was given a red ribbon to wear in support of our theme. Students were introduced to the “Bucket Filler’s Pledge” which will be recited occasionally throughout the year in order to promote positive choices and relationships with others. Students were given an opportunity to sign a large poster throughout the week as a sign of their pledge to live a bully and drug free life. This poster will be on display at Tripp Elementary School as a tangible reminder of the power they have to make a difference!

The beginning of the school year can be a very difficult time for many students. Separation anxiety may become an issue for students, as they have become used to spending most of their time at home with family members and friends. Here are some tips for helping your child cope with back to school anxiety.

1) Acknowledge the problem. It is important to acknowledge that your child’s fears are real, rather than simply dismissing them by saying, “Don’t worry!” When you acknowledge how your child feels, you are helping ensure that your he/she will not be afraid to talk to you about his/her problems, thereby keeping the lines of communication open. It can be very helpful to set a regular time and place for talking with your child (e.g. in the car, on a walk, before bed).

2) Help your child name his/her fears. By asking specific questions, such as “What 3 things are you worried about?”, you are able to help your child sort through and process his or her fears and confusing feelings.

3) Help your child recognize the positive aspects of school. By asking specific questions, such as “What 3 things are you most excited about today?”, you help your child recognize that there are good things about school that might otherwise become drowned out by his/her fears.

4) Discuss and role play alternate ways to handle anxiety-provoking events. It is important to model appropriate responses as well as  positive coping techniques for your child to use.

**Adapted from web article by Terri Mauro, http://specialchildren.about.com/od/specialeducation/ht/anxiety.htm**

On March 21st, Bucket Fillers, Inc. will be coming to Tripp Elementary School to lead an assembly based on one of their popular books, Have You Filled a Bucket Today? The “Bucket Fillers” Team is a dynamic group of experienced, certified teachers and counselors, who travel in teams and have given 2,000 presentations in 650 schools and organizations since 2006.

Have You Filled a Bucket Today? explains to children that we all carry an invisible bucket in which we keep our good thoughts and feelings.  When our buckets are full, we are happy; when they are empty, we are sad.  It’s important to know that when we fill someone else’s bucket, we fill our own, and when we “dip” in someone else’s bucket, we dip in our own bucket, too. This resource serves as a kid-friendly, tangible way of teaching young kids the importance of the living out the golden rule in our everyday lives.

The mission of Bucket Fillers is to:

• Create safer, kinder, more respectful school cultures where children are ready to learn
• Create communities where all children grow up confident, resilient, caring, and responsible
• Strengthen, encourage, and support families to become bucket-filling families

It is our hope that through the school wide presentation of this material to our student body, the intentional incorporation of these ideas into our daily lives at Tripp, and follow up conversations with students at home, each student at Tripp Elementary School will begin to live a “bucket-filling” life, striving to fill other people’s buckets and in turn having their own buckets constantly filled.

For more information, visit www.bucketfillers101.com .

This year the theme for Tripp Elementary School’s Red Ribbon Week is “Drug Free…the Healthy Way to be!” Throughout the week, students will be encouraged to make good choices and to take on several important habits that will promote a healthy, active lifestyle! Morning announcements will focus on the importance of making the choice not to do drugs, being physically active, getting plenty of sleep, eating a balanced diet, and proper hand washing to make sure that students stay healthy this cold and flu season!

Beginning Monday, October 25^th, students will begin “Jump For Your Health” activities in their gym classes to demonstrate the importance of incorporating aerobic exercise into their daily lives.

On Tuesday, October 26^th, students will be challenged to bring a healthy snack, such as fruits, vegetables, or whole grains to school to promote the importance of eating a balanced diet. All of those students who bring a healthy snack to school will be entered into a school-wide drawing. Winners will be given theme water bottles to encourage the importance of drinking plenty of water!

On Wednesday, October 27^th, students will be encouraged to wear their pajamas to school in order to promote the importance of getting plenty of sleep every night!

Family relationships often have a significant impact on a child’s school performance. Social work groups are available if a separation or divorce occurred over the summer, or it is in process and impacting your child at school. The purpose of these groups will be to focus on the members, to help them get in touch with who they are, and to share with other group members whose families have also gone through a divorce/separation. During our time together, children will be encouraged to communicate their needs and taught how to better cope with difficult feelings. Groups will be forming on an as needed basis and will run approximately 4-5 weeks in duration. Please feel free to contact me if you feel your child may be a good candidate for this type of group.

I was recently informed of a 12-week psycho-educational group for 9 – 12 year old students that will teach kids social skills and offer them opportunities to practice them.  Parents will also be informed of what the children are being taught and offered guidance on how to work at home.  This group is appropriate for children diagnosed with aspergers disorder or a non- verbal learning disorder.  It is also  appropriate for children who are having a hard time  “fitting in” with their peers.  An intake session will be held to ensure the group structure and format is appropriate for the child.   Space is limited.

 TIME: 1:00-2:00pm

WHERE: 1217 McHenry Rd #202A, Buffalo Grove, IL

DATES: Saturdays, 9/25/10-12/18/10 (No session on 11/27/10)

FEE: $60/session – first & last session fee due upon registration.

                               Insurance will be billed if applicable.

Let me be one of the first to welcome your family back to Tripp Elementary School for the 2010-2011 school year! It is so exciting to see all of the smiling faces again and hear about different summer adventures!

I would like to extend a special welcome to those families who are new to Tripp this year! We are excited to have you join our school community. In an effort to welcome all new students in 1st- 4th grade to our school and to ensure that they are adjusting successfully, I will be hosting one-time “New Student Lunch Bunches” during their scheduled lunchtime.  The purpose of these gatherings is to provide students who are new to Tripp with an opportunity to discuss experiences and ask questions related to being in a new school environment while also meeting other children who are new to our school.  If you have any questions about these lunch bunches or would like to be sure that your student is included, please do not hesitate to contact me directly at (847) 955 – 3623 or kjennings@d102.org.

We could learn a lot from crayons.  Some are sharp, some are pretty, some are worn out, some have interesting names, and all are different colors, but they all exist in the same box. 

“Students thrive—socially and academically—in schools that are inclusive. Yet, for far too many students, schools are hotbeds of exclusion. Social scientists have long maintained that contact between diverse groups helps alleviate tensions and reduce prejudice. Mix It Up seeks to break down the barriers between students and improve peer relations so there are fewer misunderstandings that can lead to conflicts, bullying, and harassment.” (http://www.tolerance.org/)

During the week of April 12 – 16, Tripp Elementary School will be celebrating Mix It Up Week! Students will be given opportunities to participate in different activities, such as Mix-It-Up day in the lunchroom, in which they are able to spend time with students that they might not otherwise sit next too. Additionally, the social worker will be leading classroom activities intended to promote acceptance, understanding, and appreciation of each other’s differences. During this week, students will also be encouraged to recognize and embrace qualities that make them special and unique by creating a crayon for Tripp School’s giant crayon box, which will be displayed for the entire school community to see.

Does your child have trouble making or keeping friends? Do you worry that your child may lack important social skills? Friendship groups are being formed  Tripp Elementary School. These groups will run for approximately eight weeks and will focus on helping children develop positive relationships with their peers by teaching them necessary social skills and building their self-confidence. Together, we will work on ways to be more assertive and enter new friendships with greater ease. Please contact me directly at (847) 955-3623 or kjennings@d102.org, if you feel that your child may benefit from being part of one of these groups.