October 6, 2017
Bridge Point Elementary
MRS. MEEK'S WEEKLY MESSAGE
Dear BPE Families,
I would like to start by thanking the Booster Club for hosting another fun and successful Family Picnic. Our students, families, and staff look forward to this event as a time to come together and just have fun. There is also another important purpose for this event - The Booster Club No Hassle Fundraiser. I would like give a sincere thank you for your support of this critical fundraiser. We would not be able to have all the "extras" at BPE without your donations. The Bridge Point Booster Club is in the midst of approving the allocations for Wish List items requested by the teachers. Because of you, we are able continue provide the best supplies, equipment, materials and learning experiences for your child.
This morning at our assembly the Eanes Education Foundation (EEF) announced the beginning of the Annual Giving Campaign, Teachers Make It Happen. Information about upcoming events and opportunities for giving will be shared in the coming days. I wanted to make sure that I mention that an invitation was sent out to all BPE parents for fall mixer hosted by Ashley and Jason Kapono on October 23 at 7:00 pm. See you there!
Parent conferences are just around the corner. As a reminder, the conference scheduler opened yesterday. If you have trouble scheduling a conference please contact your child's teacher for assistance.
Finally, I shared the Principal Book of the Month for October with the students this morning at the assembly. This month's choice is Last Stop on Market Street by Matt de la Pena. All of our students have been taught how to create a video response to my secret question on Flipgrid.com. Starting this month any child that reads this book and responds to my secret question will receive a special edition Principal Book of the Month pencil. Happy Reading! Link for this month's book.
Have a relaxing and fun filled LONG weekend. See you Tuesday!
Heather Meek
BPE NEWS
Counselor's Corner
When tragedies such as Las Vegas and the destruction caused by recent hurricanes take place, it can be hard to find the words for yourself, let alone deciding what to say to your children. As many of you know the recent mass shooting in Las Vegas closely touched one of our own BPE staff. This week's Counselor Corner will provide some tips and strategies on how approach and explain these events to your children. As much as we hope to shield our children from these tragedies, many parents are faced with difficult conversations.
- Limit your child's access to the news: Although we can't control what kids may hear on the bus or in the lunchroom, parents can limit access to disturbing news footage.
- Keep your message simple and developmentally appropriate: Depending on your child's age, kids require different levels of information.
- Be open to questions, but also know that it's okay to not have all the answers.
- Reassure: Remind kids that they are safe, there are people who are there to protect them, and there are good people doing good things. Make sure they understand this isn't their weight to carry.
- Encourage children to talk about their concerns and to express their feelings. Some children may be hesitant to initiate such conversation, so you may want to prompt them by asking them how they are feeling. However, it is best to avoid talking about this at bedtime.
- Focus on efforts to help. This helps kids feel empowered and gives them an opportunity to feel in control.
- Be cautious in linking violence to mental illness. This could create a stigma that people with a mental health problem are bad or should be feared and can equate mental illness to violence. Extend this caution when making assumptions or generalizations about motives as well.
The following links are great resources for more detailed information on how to handle these tough conversations:
Psychology Today: How to Talk to Kids About the Las Vegas Shooting
How to Talk to Kids about the Las Vegas Mass Shooting
Sincerely,
BPE CALENDAR
FLYERS
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BRIDGE POINT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
6401 Cedar Street, Austin, Texas 78746