1. Whitman character Traits
September – Kindness October – Problem Solving November – Respect December – Cooperation/Teamwork January - Perseverance
February – Inclusiveness March – Responsibility April – Growth Mindset May – Courage June – Wildcat Pride

2. Have you filled a Bucket today?
September~ Kindness
Have you filled a Bucket today?

3. Kindness Boomerang

4. October ~ Problem Solving with Kelso’s Choices
conflict management for children

5. Why Kelso’s Choices?
Bullying
unwanted, aggressive behavior that involves a real or perceived power imbalance. The behavior is repeated, or has the potential to be repeated, over time.
Bullying includes actions such as making threats, spreading rumors, attacking someone physically or verbally, and excluding someone from a group on purpose.
*Unwanted and annoying behavior is not BULLYING. Our job is to help our young students become problem solvers and empower them to take action while increasing confidence, reducing tattling, and preventing bullying.

6. What are the benefits???
Empowers students to take ownership of their own choices
Reduces Tattling- prevents small problems from escalating, prevents negative attention-getting
Systematic and Consistent Expectations
Helps students know and understand the difference between BIG and small Problems
Increases feelings of personal competence and reduces stress
Provides young students with a conflict resolution tool they can use when adults are not available.
Curriculum delivered over the past 8 years and beyond

7. Whitman students are problem solvers not victims
All adults need to be on board and speak the same Language
Helps prevent negative attention seeking
Consistent expectations for solving problems help students feel empowered
Conflict or disagreement is normal and often happens when kids are together. Our goal is to help guide students in dealing with conflict in a positive and respectful manner.

8. Key Phrases “Is it a BIG problem or a small problem?”
“Is it scary? dangerous? is someone getting hurt?”
Big problems are where We come in to help
“If you are having a small problem remember your choices.”
“Pick 2 choices to try. Which choice did you decide to try?”
Tattling = when a student tries to get someone in trouble and doesn't try to solve the problem.
Reporting = when a student seeks adult help for a real(BIG) problem (fighting, threats, vandalism, racist/obscene language,drugs/alcohol,stealing, etc.)

9. Encourage/Help students Pick 2 Choices
Go to Another Game
Talk it Out
when you ____ I feel ____ please____
Share and Take Turns
Ignore it
whole body ignoring (calm face, relaxed body)
Walk Away
If they are followed it becomes a BIG problem
walk away calmly and in control
Tell them to STOP
be assertive
use Shaver Signal
S/W/T----
Apologize
“I am sorry for____are you ok?”
Make a Deal (rock paper scissors)
Wait and Cool Off
Encourage/Help students Pick 2 Choices

10. When a small problem becomes a big problem…...
A student has used two choices and they are still being bothered OR
Someone has was hurt, threatened, recipient of obscene language, stolen from etc
With or w/o the reporting student, approach the student displaying the problem behavior and ask
“did _____ ask you to stop(walk away, etc)?”
“how did you respond”
“was that a safe/respectful etc way to respond?”
“what are some ways to respectfully respond?”
follow up with the Whitman Discipline Procedure as necessary

11. KC’s W H E L
Choose 2 and Diffuse

12. Treat others how you want to be treated
November~ RESPECT
Treat others how you want to be treated

13. December Cooperation & Teamwork
Listening and working together in the Classroom K/1
The Power of Bystanders working together for whitman 2nd-5th

14. Look for My Counselor Corner In our monthly newsletter to hear about what we are doing during Coun lessons each month!