To a sweet child...

Last week was the beginning of the new school year.  During the first weeks, I try to visit every single classroom in order to introduce myself and explain what my role is at school.  Most of the kids already know, but it's a good reminder for them anyway and a chance to get a bit of face time with the new students.

In order to make it interesting, I always try to involve the students in my explanation by asking them questions about my job.  

Here's a peek at the sweetest answer I've ever heard.

Me: "Can you tell me about some of the things I do around here?"
5th grader: "You make kids feel good about themselves!"
Me: "Well, I certainly try to do that."
5th grader: "I know you do, because that's what you did with me!"

Thank you for your vote of confidence! :)

Warmly,
Ms. C.

To me?

Sometimes it feels good to be thanked yourself...

5th Grade Boy to me today: "Ms. C., thank you for letting me listen while you problem solved with my friends. Now I know what to do with my little brother."

To a 5th grader...

Last week I decided to check in with a 5th grader who I worked with regularly last year.  She's been struggling with some pretty major changes in her life.

While we were talking, she started to tell me something and then stopped.  Then finally she said, "I'm going to make a WWMCD bracelet!"

"What's WWMCD?" I asked.

She smiled and then replied: "What would Ms. C. do?"

Thank you for making my day.

To the little guys in my friendship group...

My job is virtually indescribable in that the list of responsibilities that come with the title are ever changing and never ending.  For instance, today I found myself waiting at a Safeway pharmacy to pick up a prescription for a student.  That was certainly not in the job description!

One of my weekly tasks is to teach social skills through group sessions aptly named Friendship Groups.  Over the course of this past school year, I've revised the way I present these lessons and engage students.  In particular, I've added a special ending to each session: a round of compliments.  Elementary aged students rarely spontaneously pay compliments to one another and I felt this was an important exercise to encourage positive interactions between students.  Also, it's pretty sweet to see the look of pride that comes over some of the kiddos because of one nice compliment!

Today, the students made me smile with their simple words of appreciation.  My thank you is to them:

Dear Friday Friendship Group,

Today you paid one another delightful and sincere compliments.

To quote you:

• "I liked how you chewed with your mouth full."
• "You were a good friend today and a good listener and a good friend."
• "I liked how you didn't play with your toy and didn't distract other kids."
• "I liked how you chewed with your mouth closed.  And you're a good friend."
• "I liked that you raised your hand and didn't talk out."

You made your tired social worker smile and for that I am grateful.

Can't wait until next Friday!!

With side hugs and high fives and smelly stickers,

Ms. C

To a 1st grader...

Dear Little One ,

I remember when I first met you and you would barely speak to me. You never took off your coat and would look at the ground instead of at who was in front of you. You worried me, your teacher, and all the other adults who worked with you. How could a 1st grader be so down all the time? It just wasn't right.

So we grown ups talked and brainstormed and tried to figure out what the heck had happened in your little life to make you so guarded. Our overactive imaginations led us to fear the worst, but other than your sad face and defeatist attitude there was nothing to substantiate our thoughts.

Then today I sat in on your reading lesson and, Little One, you were all smiles. It was wonderful to see how clearly you enjoyed reading - even when no one is encouraging it at home. You wiggled in your chair with excitement and read as fast as your tiny hands could turn the page.

Little One, I appreciate how resilient you are and how you haven't given up on the world, even when it seems like the world could have quite easily given up on you. I am thankful that you are receptive to all the support our school is giving you and that your personality is finally starting to show (we knew it was in there somewhere!).

Thanks for showing me that sometimes all someone needs is a little extra TLC.

See you Wednesday!

Warmly,

Ms. C