Denali Montessori School

Many thanks to members of the Denali family who donated money to help our community schools Spanish teacher, Martha Amaya, get through her recent surgery. She is on the mend and recently returned to work. Denali raised $458 to defray some of her medical costs. Your generosity, along with her hospital’s decision to write off the base cost of the surgery itself, is greatly appreciated by Martha. She writes, “Thanks…there are never enough words to express it. For All You Do… bless everyone for all your help: Thanks so much. Martha”

The RESPECT assembly will be held on Thursday, February 21st at 9:15. It will include Mediation Recognition, a Girls’ Circle Presentation, and presentations to go with our No Name-Calling lessons. The drill team from Dimond  has been asked to participate as well.

Welcome to 2008!  I told students this week that when I was their age, I couldn’t have imagined what 2008 would be like - it seemed so far away.  I said it would be as if they were imagining life in 2048.  They answered, “We’d be really old.”  Oh well, it’s all a matter of perspective I guess.

Please look for the Assets Newsletter in this section of Paw Prints entitled “Community Values Youth.”  We are now moving into a new series of Assets related to empowerment.  As we let children know how much we value them, both as individuals and as a community, we are laying a foundation for their success.

Here at Denali, we have many programs available to help with this process of building strong foundations for youth.  A number of groups for our young people will start this month.  If you are the parent or guardian of a third grade girl, watch for Girls’ Circle permission slips coming home soon.  This is a research-based proven program that helps to build resiliency for youth.  I feel so fortunate to have these opportunities to work with your boys and girls.  Have a Happy New Year!

Janice Banta, Denali School Counselor

Learning From Perceptions.

Our topic this week is Community Values Youth.

Click here to download the pdf newsletter.

Click here to view all the available topics.

Students, Staff and Families: Watch for permission slips and reference forms for Denali’s Peer Mediation Training which will be held Wednesday through Friday, October 31st and November 1st and 2nd at Central Lutheran Church.

All interested Intermediate students are welcome to apply. The training is fun and very rewarding. You’ll learn skills to last a lifetime - active listening, using “I” statements, and resolving conflict peacefully.

The trainers include Ms. Banta and Denali’s graduate interns, Tyne Smith and Tina McGauthiar. and helpers include a noon duty, teaching staff (Mr. H. and Ms. Irene have signed up so far) and any available parent volunteers. Please contact Ms. Banta at 742-5073 if you have any questions or would like to help with this valuable program.

Positive Suggestions for Building Assets in Your Child.

Our topic this week is Neighborly Friends.

Click here to download the pdf newsletter.

Click here to view all the available topics.

I wanted to thank Denali’s families for the excellent support they have provided to their children at the start of the ‘07-’08 school year. I am seeing bright, eager to learn, well-rested students coming to school every day. We have begun our lessons this year with expectations talks conducted by Mrs. Hull and I, followed by lessons reviewing the counselor role here at Denali. These have been very fun and give students an opportunity to learn the many ways that the counselor’s office can be of assistance to them.

This year, we will have two students from UAA’s Graduate School of Social Work doing their practicum at Denali. Tyne Smith will be at school on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday and Tina McGauthiar will be here Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. We are very fortunate to have such talented and enthusiastic individuals working here with our children.

We will continue to provide parent education with Assets Newsletters in each week’s Paw Prints. Assets is a wonderful research-based resiliency program developed by The Search Institute. You can visit their website, www.search-institute.org/assets/, for more information. This week we will reprint the introductory newsletter which explains the Assets approach. You can obtain copies of last year’s newsletters in the counselor’s office on such topics as The Nurturing Nature of Support, Love and Support: The Heartbeat of Healthy Families and Open-Door Communication. Next week, look for a very important topic (one we stress in guidance lessons throughout the year): Crucial Supports. Remember, youth are more likely to grow up healthy when they receive support from three or more non-parent adults.

You can reach Ms. Banta, Ms. Tina and Ms. Tyne at 742-5073 or by email to banta_janice@asdk12.org or just drop by the counseling office most days, before or after school.