It seems as though spring may be on its way! I am looking forward to it, and I am sure you are as well.

This month, our school’s theme has been Honesty. As we know, Honesty is the H in REACH. Though a simple concept, it is not always easy to practice complete honesty. Telling the truth can be hard, especially when telling the truth comes with possible consequences.

As parents, what can we do to encourage honesty and integrity in our children? Here are a few thoughts:

• No matter what the age of your child is, work to create a safe space at home, one in which your child feels they can express their thoughts and opinions without judgement or criticism. Parenting can be hard and frustrating, but remember that you are the adult in the room! Unlike our children’s brains, our frontal lobes are fully developed, so we must do what we can to maintain our own emotional control. That may mean taking a break from a conversation and stepping away until you are able to communicate in a healthy manner. Let your children know you are doing this and explain why. What great modeling!
  • Practice having open conversations and avoid the temptation to lecture or raise your voice.
  • Affirm and validate your child’s feelings without stepping in to fix or solve their problems. Communicate your belief in their ability to problem solve and think critically.
  • Allow your child the freedom to disagree or ask questions about things, respectfully, of course.
• Model honesty in the home. Talk about occasions when you were not honest and share the consequences of that decision. Talk about integrity, what that means, and why it is important.
• At an age-appropriate level, talk about the reasons people may not be honest. Discuss things such as self-protection, avoiding conflict or punishment, or maintaining a positive image.
• When reading a book or watching a show together, point out instances where the characters demonstrate honesty and integrity. Highlight the positive consequences of their choices. Conversely, discuss characters who show a lack of integrity. Are they likeable? What consequences did they suffer because of their dishonesty?
• Create integrity/honesty scenarios and discuss what you would each do in those situations. I created a number of scenarios for the Honesty themed wellness lessons in Grades 10–12. Teachers shared some of the students’ responses which showed that many students choose to lie, especially in situations that involve their peers. Here are two scenarios that were presented to students.
  • You love hanging around with your one friend because they are hilarious, and everyone likes them. Lately, however, their humour has been very mean-spirited. They are making fun of others, especially those who seem alone and without many friends. What do you do? Why?
  • You get called to the office and asked about some damage that was done to the bathroom. You know exactly who did it. It is one of the most popular kids in your grade.

What do you do? Why?

• Model taking responsibility for your actions. Apologize to others, including your child, when you have messed up. Encourage your child to do the same.
• These are some great resources to learn more!
  • https://www.goodreads.com/shelf/show/honesty-integrity
  • https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/three_steps_to_teach_children_about_honesty#:~:text=For%20instance%2C%20parents%20can%20discuss,and%20what%20happened%20to%20you
• Practice self-care as a parent, too! You can’t pour from an empty cup.

Wellness Updates

Grades K–9

This month, K–9 classrooms kicked off with a focus on Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Week, an international initiative highlighting the five core SEL competencies: Self-awareness, Self-management, Social Awareness, Relationship Skills, and Responsible Decision-Making. Throughout the week, students participated in engaging MindUp activities designed to deepen their understanding of these competencies, helping them develop the skills to better manage emotional stress, navigate challenges, and make healthier, more thoughtful decisions. By encouraging students to reflect on their emotions, relationships, and decision-making, these activities contribute to stronger mental well-being and improved outcomes both in and outside the classroom.

As we move forward into the month, the focus continues with MindUp lessons that emphasize outdoor learning and reflection on our role within the community. Students are invited to consider how they can contribute to making their community a better place while also enjoying the positive impact of time spent outside.

Wishing everyone a safe, restful, and family-filled break full of relaxation and quality time with loved ones.

If you have questions about wellness programming in Grades K–9, please reach out to Dylan Dean at ddean@calgaryacademy.com.

Grades 10–12

This month, students in Grades 10–12 have been discussing this very topic. One of the activities they completed was a questionnaire called “How honest Are You?” Check it out here. It could make for an interesting dinner conversation!

If you have questions about wellness programming in Grades 10–12, please contact me at sbraun@calgaryacademy.com.

Counselling Services and Wraparound Support

We continue to have a counsellor supporting the needs of our learners in K–8. If you want to have your child connect with her, please reach out to Jenny at jduffield@calgaryacademy.com.

I am here to support the needs of our Grades 9–12 students. If you want your child to connect with me, please reach out to sbraun@calgaryacademy.com.

Lastly, if you have any questions or concerns regarding your child’s learning journey, you can also reach out to our Director of Learning, Erin Ellis, at eellis@calgaryacademy.com.

Serena Braun

Registered Psychologist