Lena

Christian, Mom, NahNah, Summer Soul, Instructional Leader, Aspire to Inspire (-:

[Zac Bauermaster @ZBauermaster]

Every child has a story; so does every adult.

Lead with empathy.

[Lena @lena_asj]

🙏

[Danny Steele @SteeleThoughts]

For my teacher peeps…

[Emily Paschall @EmilyAPaschall]

Recently, I have been asked by several parents, “What do I need to do to prep my kid for kindergarten?” Typically, they anticipate my response to be centered around what they need to know academically, but I think there are skills more important than that. It isn’t about knowing all of their letters and sounds to be kindergarten ready. If they do, GREAT. They are ahead of the game. But the more important thing is that they learn social and independent skills that will help them be successful in the classroom.

🔺Help them learn to say their full name when someone asks them (not their nickname).
🔹Help them learn to ask for help.
🔺Help them learn how to speak to other people who are not family members.
🔹 Eat dinner together. At a table. With the tv off. ➡️ They will learn about table manners, how to stay in their seat an entire meal, develop vocabulary through conversation, and benefit from quality time.
🔺Help them learn how to compete a task and work all the way through until they complete it.
🔹Help them learn how to wait patiently. 🤪 Maybe they are waiting in line while friends go to the bathroom, or maybe someone is needing to talk to their teacher. Waiting is a hard thing for littles!
🔺 Read books every night. ➡️ Their world will be enlarged, they will develop new vocabulary, and they will benefit from quality time.
🔹 Help them learn to share.
🔺 Help them sharpen taking care of their basic needs by themselves - using the bathroom, washing their hands, blowing their nose.
🔹Tell them no.
🔺Teach them nursery rhymes. There is so much research behind this and how it supports brain development.
🔹Help them understand it is ok to make mistakes.
🔺Help them practice putting things in and taking things out of their backpack. Their teacher will thank you! 🤪
🔹Help them learn to follow two step directions. For example, “Take off your shoes and hang up your jacket.”
🔺Help them learn to sit and wait without having to be entertained. Can they sit and wait without having to be handed a device?

There is so much more than academics that goes into helping a kid be “kindergarten ready”. Social and independent skills are life skills! If you aren’t practicing some of these things regularly, give yourself some grace. And if your child is older than KG age and cannot do some of these things yet, it isn’t too late! I am still working on these in my home too! We are about 5 weeks away from the start of school. The more they are able to do independently, the more successful they will be!

Giving kids the opportunity to develop their emotions, compassion, and social skills is one of the greatest gifts we can give kids to prepare them for this thing called “life”.

Let’s go!

[Danny Steele @SteeleThoughts]

Colleagues that always try to stay positive… colleagues who remember that we’re here for the kids… colleagues who collaborate and have each other’s back… those are my favorite colleagues.

[Lena @lena_asj]

FAFSA season is here!!! BCVS Class of 2021 students and parents https://t.co/9G4lVqFAn5 @BCBESchools

[College Board @CollegeBoard]

Are you a new high school counselor? There's a virtual College Board Counselor Workshop just for you. Register to attend live or receive the recording to get updates on our programs and earn CEUs. https://t.co/a0803TnhaR

[Lena @lena_asj]

There’s still time y’all!!! #FAFSA

[Alabama Community College System (ACCS) @ACCS_Education]

We love the smiles students make after finishing up their financial aid applications! It's not too late to complete and submit your #FAFSA or to search for local scholarship opportunities. Make sure you put your community college's code on your FAFSA. Let us know if we can help.

[Lena @lena_asj]

Summers can be stressful. So, it is always good when you walk away from an experience with new knowledge and insight @CCBOEAL #aspiretolead #e5

[Lena @lena_asj]

You never know what opportunities await... check it out - virtually!!

[Lena @lena_asj]

2020 grads 🎓 interested in Health Science- amazing opportunity to learn, and make informed decisions!

[Wallace State @wallacestate]

Wallace State is hosting a webinar for students interested in applying to the Health Science programs with openings for Fall 2020! The virtual meeting will take place on Zoom on Tuesday, July 14 at 10 a.m.
View the programs participating and register here: https://t.co/K8IrVLgQO6

[Lena @lena_asj]

This #SundayMorning Using the first letter of your name, add a positive word to the jar #love #lead @lena_asj @LORIAKIN5 @danawaldrep #seniors2020

[Lena @lena_asj]

#positivesignthursday #drseuss #OwnOurWay @OakGroveTigers #OG4LiFe @counselorscott @JEFCOED

[Lena @lena_asj]

7 OGHS students place in BSCC’s Torch competition #ownourway

[Lena @lena_asj]

BSCC Torch Invitational is about to be AWESOME!!! @OakGroveTigers @JEFCOED @JEFCOCareerTech #OG4LiFe

[Lena @lena_asj]

@DrHSutherland Mobile and Baldwin Counties do schedule days for Mardi Gras.

[Lena @lena_asj]

Lena, from @jefcoed Looking forward to the School Calendar discussion #aledchat

[Lena @lena_asj]

AMAZING!! Owning Their Way. Congrats to you and your students!

[Michael Mickens @2_Timothy_3_12]

Congratulations, to the 58 students who earned 60 credentials in The Academy of Business Management at Oak Grove High this Fall Semester 2019. @JEFCOED @JEFCOCareerTech @OakGroveTigers @pamelabdennis
#OWNourway #OG4LiFe

[Lena @lena_asj]

Oak Grove 2019 College and Career Event #OG4LiFe #JEFCOEDJourney #schoolcounselorsrock @JEFCOED @OscarSMann1 @pamelabdennis

[Lena @lena_asj]

YES!!!

[𝐁𝐫𝐚𝐝 𝐉𝐨𝐡𝐧𝐬𝐨𝐧 @DrBradJohnson]

If decision makers in a district don’t think recess and play are important for kids, go spend a few recesses at schools and see for yourself. It should be mandatory multiple times a day.

[Lena @lena_asj]

Oak Grove College Fair November 14, 5-7 pm @AshleyLamarca @JEFCOED @OakGroveTigers #jefcoedjourney @cash4collegeal @OscarSMann1 #FAFSAassistance