Friday, March 2, 2018

Kids Just Need your Love and Attention

"If you want your children to turn out well, spend twice as much time with them and half as much money."
During a team meeting this morning we were talking about high quality student incentives we wished we saw parents use with their children for good behavior at school.  I thought it would make for a great blog title and I thought the following article was a great read to reinforce what our children need and want most from us as parents, our Time, Love, and Attention....Not Stuff.  Mr. Junge

        Do you ever hear parents exclaim “Back in my day…” in relation to the difference between how they were raised and how their children are being brought up? Perhaps you too notice differences between the way you were raised and the way you are raising your child?
Our responses to these questions will be varied and possibly bring up many emotions. After all, childhood is so fundamental to who we are – it’s called the formative years for a reason. If you were told that “children should be seen and not heard”, it might be difficult to understand all the parenting advice these days which focuses heavily on acknowledging children, listening to and validating their concerns, praising their efforts and giving lots of love and affection. On the other hand, parenting this way may come easily if you are keen to give your child a different experience to your own. If your parents were attentive to your thoughts and feelings and gave love and praise, you may find parenting this was comes naturally. Regardless, let’s talk about what we know today.
One thing is certain, parenting has certainly changed dramatically in past generations and much research has been done in the area of childhood development. We now know that love and attention are more vital to a child’s emotional and physical health than food, shelter and clothing. In past generations, the importance of touch, attention, hugging and praise was not widely known. Parents were likely bringing their children up in a way that was accepted at the time or what they thought was best or in the best way they could at the time.
A common misconception was that praising a child too much will spoil them or give them an over-inflated ego. Now, we are told that parents can’t spoil their children with praise (nor love). Praising your child for being good will make them want to be good, and it will help them feel good about themselves. Kids love to please their parents. When they do well at something or are trying hard, your praise will make them want to do it again.
Children who feel good about themselves tend to:
  • feel happier and more secure
  • make friends more easily
  • get on well with others
  • get into less trouble
  • learn more easily and make more effort to achieve

Building self-esteem is not about vanity or arrogance but having a healthy view of our own worth as a human being.
Helping your child develop emotionally in this way is vital to their wellbeing, forming the foundation for their development through life. So, how can you incorporate this knowledge into your own parenting?

Tips for helping your child develop

  • Give lots and lots of praise, for effort as well as achievement, and very little criticism, if any.
  • Listen to your child – be aware of what they are saying, accepting of their perspective, and appreciative of their situation.  You don’t need to fix everything for them, after all they will experience disappointment, frustration and dissatisfaction many times, sometimes all on the same day! Actively listening to them lets them know that they are worthy of your attention and their view of the world has merit – a very strong basis for a secure and caring relationship.
  • Allow children to make mistakes and to learn. Never be negative about attempts at new things no matter how seemingly unsuccessful. This will encourage learning throughout life and help them develop thinking and problem solving skills.
  • Help children solve problems themselves by asking them ‘what should we do?’ when something happens or goes wrong. This has the added benefit of letting them know that you value their opinions and ideas.
  • Offer loving discipline and boundaries. Rules imposed to help your child learn are more effective and positive than rules for the sake of rules or to make your life easier as a parent. Children like to know what it expected of them and boundaries and routines really help with this.
  • Time and attention are the most precious gifts you can give a child – so much more important than toys and expensive holidays. Do simple things together and give your time freely whenever possible. Visit a park, read a book, go for a bike ride, or cook breakfast together. These are just a few ideas. The love, laughter and shared experience from time spent together is the most important thing. Your child will remember this in decades to come when the material things are well gone.
  • Last but not least – show your child they are loved by giving unconditional love and affection.




Friday, January 19, 2018

Keystone Elem. Friday Note

Keystone Friday Notes 1/19/18 Wednesday, Jan. 24th- 1:00 p.m. dismiss- PD Next Week- Special Schedule Monday Day 6 Technology Tuesday Day 1 PE/Music Wednesday Day 2 Art Thursday Day 3 PE/Guidance Friday Day 4 Art

Cook’s Choice Cook’s Choice menu on Wednesday, Jan.24th​ is Shredded Beef & Cheese on Bun, Corn, Pinto Beans, Mandarin Oranges, and Pineapple.

BCPTO PTO meeting will be held on Monday, February 5th at 6:30 p.m. at the Keystone Center. All are welcome and encouraged to attend!

Outdoor Apparel Keystone outdoor recess policy is that if the “feels like” temperature is 10 degrees or above, the students will be going outside for recess. Please make sure your child has appropriate clothing and or jacket apparel to play comfortably outside. Students also need to remember their shoes to change into during school. ​ If you need assistance with any coats, hats, gloves, etc. this winter please call or email Candi in the office. 319-442-3221 cbenesh@benton.k12.ia.us

Late Starts/Early Dismissals Breakfast is NOT​ served at school on days the district delays school due to weather conditions. Preschool schedule for late starts: AM session is from 10:15 a.m. -12:15 p.m. and PM session is from 1:15 p.m.- 3:15 p.m. School delays, early dismissals, and cancellations can be found on local t.v. stations as well as the Bobcat Voicelink 1-830-2164 or 515-830-2164. Parents may also choose to subscribe to the KCRG TV-9 app or the notification system offered by Govdelivery. https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/IAEDU0609/subscriber/new

Nurse’s Note Students are not allowed to return to school unless they have been fever free for at least 24 hours without the use of medication. ​ In the case where the illness is treated with antibiotics, the student must be on the antibiotic for 24 hours before returning to school unless accompanied by a note from the doctor. Thank you for helping to keep our students healthy! Jamie Bruns RN, BSN School Nurse

Bobcat Weekend Activities Friday, Jan. 19th 9/10, JV, V GBB @ Independence 4:30/6:00/7:30 p.m. 9/10, JV, V BBB vs. Independence 4:30/6:00/7:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 20th V Wrestling Invitational @ East Marshall 9:00 a.m. JV, V GBB @ Union 2:00/3:30 p.m. 10th, 9th, V BBB @ Union 2:00/3:00/4:30 p.m. Norway 5/6 Band- Marion Junior Honor Band Robotics- League Championship @ Marion District Speech Large Group

Monday, December 11, 2017

K-3 Narrative report card parent survey

Keystone Parents,

We always value and appreciate your feedback for all we do here at Keystone.  Please take a couple of minutes to give us feedback on our narrative approach to the report cards in November.  Thanks, Mr. Junge and Keystone Staff

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf5aiPsZEjIJjo3znsYZ5XNPMOXlFq9PF0bEFP1s55xJLfMYA/viewform?usp=sf_link

Monday, September 18, 2017

Grading info from Parent Partnership Night

Keystone Parents,

Thanks to those of you who were able to make it to our Parent Partnership Night this past Wednesday.  For those of you who weren't able to make it I am sending the slide show of information our teachers presented.  Please feel free to email me at rjunge@benton.k12.ia.us or call 319-442-3221 if you have any questions.  Thanks, Mr. Junge

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1_FbYM3THMAmiYWKTLd7kkC-tOdkiedYhFoeexjQZOFU/edit?ts=59bf0b31#slide=id.p


Tuesday, September 12, 2017

Parent Partnership Night / Free Cookies / Grading Info


6:15 - 7:00 at Keystone Elementary.

Free Cookies!!  Child Care provided!!

Please join us to meet with your child's grade level teachers to talk about grade reporting, learning goals for the year, and parent communication. It is key for you as the parent to know what we need from you at home to increase the child's growth for the year.

It is only 45 minutes long.  We want to continue to build our learning team between school and home.

Thanks, Mr. Junge

Thursday, September 7, 2017

Open House Parent-Teacher Conference Feedback

Keystone Parents,

Everything we do is to serve you and your child to make sure their educational experience at Keystone and Benton CSD is the best it can possibly be.  We would love your feedback and input with regards to our new idea for a more personalized conference to start the year.  Please take 5 minutes to fill out the survey included in my blog.  Thanks for your time and your commitment to your child's education.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1zcBkoqKCXhnmAyAcwrdtaPR-TFmNa5rqySNQSP3vZf8/edit?ts=59a080ef

Sincerely,

Mr. Junge

Tuesday, September 5, 2017

12:00 Dismiss Wed.

We are having a 12:00 (noon) dismiss tomorrow, Wednesday 9/6, for PK-12 District PD.  I am attaching the link for the speaker we will be engaging with during our PD.  It is a great opportunity that Mr. Zittergruen and our School Board is allowing us to partake in.  Thanks, Mr. Junge

http://web1.gwaea.org/newsreleases/2017-2018/SeminarSeries-Meechin.pdf