Consider This...
Things to Consider in November 2020 from RTSC
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In this Month:
- November Articles
- Useful Tips and Resources
- Upcoming Federation Events
Click titles for full articles
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News and information about education, research, and support for SESPs; adoptive, foster, and kinship caregivers; and child welfare and education professionals helping children with trauma and other special needs get the most from their education. |
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"My Partners in Good"
A heartfelt thank you from Representative Ayanna Pressley, who speaks to the Making a Difference 2020' Conference attendees and Special Education Surrogate Parent (SESP) volunteers.
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Gratitude
By Mary-Beth Landy
Sr. Training, Recruitment, and Support Specialist
Gratitude, “the quality of being thankful; readiness to show appreciation for and to return kindness.” The dictionary says that it is a noun, but I believe that it is a verb. Over the years, I have worked on the practice of gratitude. The act of acknowledging gratitude on a daily basis is part of my self-care practice. It is not just something that is done on Thanksgiving or before a meal. For me, it is a practice that I have cultivated over the years, through constant use. At some point in my day I stop to take notice of at least three things that I may have noticed that day and state why I am grateful for that event, person, or thing that I have encountered that day. This morning, before rising, I was very aware and comforted by the feeling of Milo, one of our cats, laying on the bed, up against my feet. It gives me a sense of being home and right with the world.
During this period of Thanksgiving, I am even more aware of all of the aspects of my life that I have to be grateful for. This month alone has brought great opportunities to my life. I immediately think about the amazing conference that our project just offered. It was rich and empowering. I am thankful for Dr. Ross Greene for taking the time to share his years of wisdom with us. My appreciation for all of the presenters, exhibitors, sponsors, and most importantly the attendees and volunteer SESPs who not only took the time to spend the day with us, but who give of themselves everyday of support the most vulnerable students in our state. You are the superheroes in the lives of hundreds of children. You are the superheroes to me and my colleagues. Thank you for being who you are in these kid’s lives.
I would be amiss if I did not share the immense gratitude I have for the wonderful women that I get to work with, the RTSC team: Renee Williams “our fearless leader”, Ivone Rego “with whom little would function”, and Eileen Sandberg and Bridget Koetsch “my training siblings”! As always it is my honor to call you colleagues and friends.
To all those mentioned and unmentioned, may this year of challenges and new ways of being, know that I am grateful for all that you bring to our lives. Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!
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Many of us at this time of year start to think about what we are grateful for. Perhaps you had everyone at your Thanksgiving table express what they are grateful this year. This may be challenging during this year to find many things to be thankful for, but it can be even more difficult for the children in your life. Studies have shown that building a sense of gratitude can help to build one’s sense of happiness with their life, decreasing depression and increasing overall health. Tabitha Monahan, Transition Specialist at NESCA shares some ways to help youth build their sense of gratitude in this fluctuating time that we are in.
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How often do we find ourselves telling the story of our challenging experiences while we are in the middle of them? To many that may seem to be premature, but in reality, it is part of the appropriate coping mechanism to dealing with negative experiences in a positive and healthy way. Jordan A. Booker, Ph.D. writes about the experience of storytelling for students during the COVID 19 lockdown, in Psychology Today. “While there are general benefits to the use of elaboration in storytelling, storytelling is a process.” Although the elaborative details about traumatic events may be expanded with time, the benefits of insights about events help reach some form of resolution.
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So how do we help students develop self-motivation? How do we how them with the 3 S’s: self- awareness, stress management, and social competency that is required for motivation? Dot Lucci, M.Ed. of NESCA explains the Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD), or the area just beyond a student’s independent functioning level where they need some assistance but is reachable. Finding this zone and helping the student to work within it is the key. Helping a child get there is a journey but well worth the trip!
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According to the National Parents Union, 76% report that their children are attending school remotely at least part time. 38% said they felt that their children were learning less this academic year, leaving a high level of concern about the progress that their child is making. This survey also found that 54% of parent felt that schools should be putting more effort into improving remote learning than into how to reopen in person at this point.
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Jessica Minahan, co-author of the popular “The Behavior Code” writes about making school a safe place for traumatized students. It is believed that up to 2/3 of U.S. children have experienced at least one adverse childhood experience (CDC, 2019). Because most traumatized child have maladaptive coping mechanisms for expressing their emotions, they can be easily feel antagonistic to teachers and adults who don’t understand the student. We know from your work to understand traumatized students, that if they don’t feel safe, they can’t learn or communicate effectively, leading to behavioral misunderstandings. Ms. Minahan speaks to strategies for adults working with tramatized children to foster a sense of safety, helping them with their ability to learn.
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Useful Tools and Resources |
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Having students learning from home is hard on many levels, especially when you yourself are working from home. Space and environment are key to successful achievement. But how are we establishing that for our students? Dr. Sophie Bellinis and Jessica Hanna have developed some helpful suggestions for “setting up a workspace with intention.” Take a look at their suggestions for the most productive workspace for both you and your child.
Starr Commonwealth has developed an easy to use set of worksheets to use with children with adverse experience histories, to develop a sense of mastery of all that they have overcome and developing their sense of mastery regarding multiple aspects of their life. This set of worksheets can be used by teachers, therapist and parents alike.
Screen time! It seems like the bain of most parents’ existence is now the evil necessity. But how much it too much? When is it necessary and when is it not? Most students are in at least a partial remote program, requiring hours of screen time. This brings up many issues for students, caregivers, as well as teachers. If so much academics is done online, where does that leave students without technology or proper internet access. When is it time to shut off technology for the day? Should some work not be technology based? These are the many questions posed by the authors, as well as suggestions on how to offer alternative options.
This brief webinar is offering some ideas and suggestions regarding accessing school based mental health services.
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Upcoming Federation Events |
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Tuesday, December 15, 2020 12:00pm-1:00pm
Presented by: Kay Kayn, State Representative
Description: TBA
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Thursday, December 17, 2020 @ 10:30am - 12:30pm - Case Rounds
Join us for a FREE Network Series Network Series. The Networking Series is a collaborative effort of the Recruitment, Training and Support Center (RTSC), Parent Consultant Training Institute (PCTI), and MassPAC projects of the Federation for Children with Special Needs. The Networking Series is provided exclusively for SESPs, PCTI Graduates and SEPAC Chairpersons. Monthly Networking Meetings will be held on the 3rd Thursday of each month from September through June. The format will alternate between a Speaker Series and Case Rounds.
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Free Upcoming Online Orientations
Tuesday, December 1, 4:00pm
Monday, December 7, 12:00pm
Saturday, December 12, 11:00am
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Quick Access to RTSC Resources...
For more information on becoming a Special Education Surrogate Parent
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Federation for Children with Special Needs
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