Principal’s News – October 2022
“There is something so special in the early leaves drifting from the trees – as if we are all allowed a chance to peel, to refresh to start again.” – Ruth Ahmed
Fall is a favorite season for many of us. The colors change. Football season begins. Sweatshirts and hoodies are worn. Warm drinks consumed and the smell of pumpkin spice fills the air. As the weather begins to change, please remind your students to dress in layers to prepare for the weather.
October- Determination, Growth Mindset, Perseverance
“I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.” ― Thomas A. Edison
“Anyone who has never made a mistake has never tried anything new.” ― Albert Einstein
These quotes remind us that even when our efforts don’t seem to provide results, that doesn’t mean we should give up. We can consider them part of the process of finding what does work.
The life skill we are focusing on this month is Determination, Perseverance and Growth Mindset. A good definition for kids is “I can do it, even when it’s tough.”
A growth mindset is the understanding that abilities and intelligence can be developed. Once students have this mindset, their confidence increases! Even as they face academic struggles, they will understand that the struggle is part of the process of learning. There are going to be challenges in life, and knowing how to persevere even amidst frustration or disappointment will be a great life skill.
We are discussing the power of “Yet.” We may struggle with a certain subject, a sport, an activity or with building friendships at school. We may feel like we “can’t” do something. We are encouraging students to reframe those thoughts and say, “I can’t do this, yet. I will keep trying.” We improve with practice and when we ask for help. It is about trying, even when it is not perfect, and doing our best.
Throughout the month, Ms. Ashley will be reading The Magical Yet by Angela DiTerlizzi to the kindergarten, first and second grade classes. Mrs. Blake will be reading Stephen Curry: The Children’s Book: The Boy Who Never Gave Up to the third fourth and fifth grade classes.
Healthy Living and Healthy Habits: “Breathing is the first act of life and the last. Our very life depends on it.”
Last month you were given 4 healthy habits that you could start working on right now. The first one was breathing. Breathing is something we do without thinking about it. However, an active focus on breathing can both enhance relaxation and improve focus and concentration. Sometimes kids need may need a little more help to figure out how to be more active with their breath. A suggestion for this month is to take 3-5 minutes each day with your child to focus on your breath and clear your mind. Here are some ideas:
- Use Bubbles- this is a good way to be playful and breathe deeply. Bubbles forces kids to blow carefully and slowly.
- Imagination- “Smell the hot cocoa (breath in), cool the hot cocoa (breathe out)”, breath in and out like Darth Vader, breath in a happy, positive color and breath out a color that represents any stresses, etc.
- Deep breathe with numbers- count 4 in, 4 out and increase this to 7 than 8.
- Rainbow breathing- arms go up as you breath in, arms go down to the other side as you breathe out.
- Nostril Breathing- block one nostril, breath in for 5, block the other nostril and breathe out for 5.
The amazement of deep breathing and how it feels is beyond measure. Try it and see how it can help you and your child!
October 17-19 is Digital Citizenship Week. Students have been learning some great lessons about how to stay safe online and be a kind person in our STEM Brain Booster class this last month. Our world is full of technology that helps us all in many ways. Because of this fact, we know how important it is that we learn how to use the different technologies and programs in a healthy way. Stay tuned for more information during Digital Citizenship Week.
We will hold our annual Halloween parade outside on Monday, October 31st. The parade route will be on school grounds around the black top and sidewalks. A map with instructions will be sent home closer to the event.
As a reminder, students are not allowed to use their Smart watch as a phone or communication device between 8:50am-3:30pm. Please direct all communication through the classroom or the office.
Calendar items:
October 6 Picture Make-up Day
October 10 3:45pm -SCC Meeting; Library
October 12 9am -PTA meeting; faculty room
October 17-19 Digital Citizenship Week
October 20-21 No School, Fall Break
October 24-28 Red Ribbon Week
October 31 9:30am -Halloween Parade
