Dear PCS Families,

We are enjoying this shift in the cooler weather and it is starting to feel like fall is around the corner. As we mentioned in last week’s newsletter, we will be highlighting a few of the things that we use to support the building of relationships and community in our classrooms and school. The first step in this is to understand ourselves better. One way we start to understand ourselves better is through the use of “Zones of Regulation”. Mrs. Madrano, PCS Occupational Therapist, has written out the following wonderful description of this program for you.

Zones of Regulation:

Zones of Regulation aims to help students identify their feelings, learn their triggers, and explore strategies to get their bodies in a healthy, regulated state. Learning these skills can be tricky, especially for young students during a pandemic, but one of our big goals at PCS is to teach our students the importance of self-regulation.

You may hear your child telling you what “Zone” they are in at home. This is what each color means:

Red Zone: used to describe an extremely heightened state of alertness and intense emotions. Emotions associated with the red zone are anger, mad, terror, or rage.

Yellow Zone: a heightened state of alertness and elevated emotions. The person in the yellow zone is more in control of these emotions than the person in the red zone. Emotions associated with the yellow zone are frustration, anxiety, feeling silly or wiggly, nervous, or even excited.

Green Zone: when a student is in the green zone, it is easy for them to focus and play with friends. It is a calm and organized state. Feelings associated with the green zone are happy, focused, ready to learn, and content. Optimal learning occurs in this zone.

Blue Zone: describes low states of alertness and down feelings like being sad, tired, sick, or bored.

A key component of the Zones of Regulation program is to make sure that none of the Zones are labeled as “bad” or “wrong.” We’re all human beings and we have all experienced each of the Zones. It is important for adults to label their emotions and talk through strategies that help regulate them as a model for the students.

If you are interested in more information, check out the website www.zonesofregulation.com

Additionally, you can ask your child’s teacher for a copy of the “zones” chart for use in your home.

Family Pets:

I know that it is exciting to bring your pets from home for pick up or drop off, but we ask that you keep them in the car. Please do not bring your pets into the school building or have them out in the parking lot at drop off or dismissal. We appreciate your understanding in this matter.

Early Pick Up Procedure:

If you have to pick your child up early from school please ring the front door and Ms. Maggie will let you into the building. Then please come to the window to sign your child out. Ms. Maggie will call down to the classroom to have your child meet you at the front office. Please do not go to the child’s classroom.

Grade Level to Highlight:

Check out our awesome 1st grade team this week!