Monday, December 14, 2009

Collaborative Problem Solving Parent Workshop


A Peer to Peer Parenting Group…


Collaborative Problem Solving:
The Explosive Child Book Club


A weekly group for parents and other
caregivers of children with challenging
behaviors: Understanding our children better
(reading the book is not required, but recommended)
     
Wednesdays January 27-April 7


10:00 am – 12:00 pm
@ First Federal Bank Community Room  
Newberg
Space is limited. Please pre-register with Jan Urton, Yamhill County Family Support Partner 503-435-9107 or
503-434-7462


Co-Sponsored by Family & Youth Programs &

Mid-Valley Region * 1-800-590-7599 * 1-541-513-2021 *

Thursday, December 10, 2009

Dinner Help is Out There!

The Holidays are hard on so many families.  With the weather so cold adn everyone turning up their heat, bills go up but income doesn't.  There are churches around town that want to help families.


The following churches have free dinners for people.


Mondays - Zion Lutheran
301 S. River
5:30 - 7:00 p.m.

Wednesdays - River Street Church of God
715 S. River
6:00 - 7:00 p.m.

Thursdays - Newberg Christian Church
2315 Villa Road
5:30 - 7:00 p.m.
  
Newberg Christian can deliver to homes if the families are more comfortable with that.  Just give them a  call 538-3104 and let them know.

Tuesday, December 8, 2009

Help is Out There to Stay Warm

By KATU News

PORTLAND, Ore. - Despite clear skies and roads free of ice and snow in the Portland area, the current cold snap can pose a problem for those having a tough time keeping the heat on.

KATU Meteorologist Dave Salesky said he does not expect the temperature to get above freezing on Monday and colder temperatures are on the way for Tuesday.

Several chimney and flue fires have hit homes in the Portland area in the last few days as people use fireplaces and wood stoves to keep warm.

Others are keeping thermostats turned down in fear of the bill they may get for heating oil or natural gas.
Portland General Electric (PGE) has several ways customers can get assistance paying for heating costs, including payment plans. Get more information here.

Northwest Natural, the main local natural gas provider, also has plans available for paying the gas bill. Get more information about their program here.

If you would like to donate money to a program that assists low-income persons with paying their Northwest Natural gas bill, you can do that here.

Monday, December 7, 2009

Happy Holidays!

Happy Holidays from the counseling office!

http://elfyourself.jibjab.com/view/YC1fguUVWl7k1yQueoyY

Toy and Joy Applications

Just a reminder that Toy and Joy applications are dur this Friday (December 9th).  Bring them into the counseling office.

Thursday, December 3, 2009

Shouldn't Life Be Fun?!

Wednesday, December 2, 2009

Resources Can Help Students be Better Writers

Janea Green, the district’s writing teacher-on-special-assignment, reminds us that there are many reasons why every student should write frequently. Not only is writing an important way to communicate, but writing improves reading comprehension and performance in other academic areas such as social studies, science and math.

The Writing Site
http://www.thewritingsite.org/resources/parent/primary.asp
Parent resources for writing for primary, intermediate, and secondary grades.

Seussville
http://www.seussville.com/
Brightly animated and highly interactive, Seussville entertains children as they complete word puzzles, matching games, and other activities based on the books of Dr. Seuss. Kids can also write a story and bring it to life with fanciful characters, music, and scenery.

Poetry Teachers
http://www.poetryteachers.com/
The site provides ideas for poetry lessons, contests, and activities. It also links to Giggle Poetry , a fun site for students reading, rating, and writing poems.

Make Beliefs Comix
http://www.makebeliefscomix.com/
Students can create their own comic strips on this site that offers animal and human characters with different moods, thought and talk balloons to fill in with words in English or Spanish, and story prompts. After creating their comic strips, students can print them or email them to friends or family.

Kids Can Publish University
http://www.fivestarpublications.com/kidscanpublish/
Student authors, journalists, poets, artists, and photographers can submit their finished products for a chance to be the monthly featured writer on this site.

American Library Association: Great
http://www.ala.org/gwstemplate.cfm?section=greatwebsites&template=/cfapps/gws/default.cfm
This ALA website, collected by the Children and Technology Committee of the Association for Library Service to Children, offers links to a variety of Web resources organized by subject, including a Literature and Languages section.

Fun Brain
http://www.funbrain.com/
This site by the Family Education Network provides free educational games and quizzes in math, grammar, science, spelling, and history. It also provides excellent resources for teachers and parents.

The Lost Generation

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Toy and Joy Applications are Ready

Toy and Joy applications are ready to be picked up if you and your family are needing help with Christmas. If you would like an application, please come to the counseling office. They need to be returned to us no later than Friday, December 11th.

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Guidelines for Helping With Homework

Guidelines for Helping With Homework
So You Don't Work Harder Than Your Child!

by Dr. Charles Fay
________________________________________
• Set aside a time each day for family learning.
• Set aside at least 30 minutes, devoted to "family brain cell development." During this time, there should be no TV, video games, computer games, etc.
• Model your own excitement for learning by reading a book, writing letters, etc.
• Your child may learn by doing their homework, reading about something they love, writing stories, etc.
• Help only when your child truly wants it.
• Some parents make the mistake of forcing help upon their kids. This only creates frustration, anger, and kids who believe they can't learn without their parents' help.
• Help only when there's an absence of anger or frustration.
• When either you or your child gets frustrated or angry, learning becomes associated with frustration and anger.
• Help only when your child can describe what the teacher said.
• This ensures that your child continues to believe that it's important to pay attention to teachers.
• Unfortunately, some kids learn that it's best to "tune-out" at school and let their parents do all of the teaching at home.
• Move away from your child before he/she "gets it."
• Some children believe they can only learn something, or "get it," when an adult is in the same room...or is guiding them every inch of the way.
• To prevent this dependency, avoid falling into the habit of sitting at the table as your child does their homework, especially when they are on the brink of learning something new.

THE CARDINAL RULE FOR HELPING:
Never Work Harder Than Your Child.
________________________________________

Achievers Versus Underachievers


Beliefs that shape behavior

Achievers believe:
  • It’s okay if things get difficult
  • I’m responsible for my own happiness
  • Hard work is the key to success
  • Hard work and learning lead to pride
  • I’ve got what it takes to learn to solve most of the problems I face
  • I have control over my life

“What a challenge!  If I work hard, I can do it!”

Underachievers believe:
  • Life shouldn’t be hard
  • Other people are supposed to make me happy
  • I’m entitled to success and all of it’s perks
  • Hard work and learning create misery
  • I can’t learn and solve problems on my own
  • What happens to me is completely beyond my control

“Not fair!  This is too hard!”


Ways of modifying unhealthy beliefs:
  • Model healthy beliefs about hard work and learning through your own language and behavior.
  • On a daily basis, talk with excitement about your job and what you learn from it.
  • Set and enforce firm and loving limits.
  • Avoid giving your kids too much.  Make sure they understand that there is no such thing as a free meal.
  • Expect kids to make their fair share contributions to the home… and the school.
  • “Catch” them doing well and let them know.

Friday, November 13, 2009

Info. on Eating Disorders

Do you or someone you know have an eating disorder?  Providence St. Vincent has developed an Adolescent Eating Disorder Program.  They offer a no charge informational meeting every Wednesday from 4:40 until 5:15 to answer questions about eating disorder treatment, in general and at Providence, and to help explore and develop "next steps".

If you would like more information or a meeting, please contact Providence at 503-216-4964.

Friday, November 6, 2009

Need Help Finding Help?

Do you need help finding services in Yamhill County?
Dial 2-1-1 (or 1-866-698-6153) for help with:
* Food Resources
* Health Care
* Public Agencies
* Legal Services
* Employment Resources
* Counseling/Support groups
* Housing/Emergency Shelter
* And Much More!