Every year, I speak with the students about responsibility in the month of October. In the younger grades, we talk about making good social and academic choices. As students get older, that conversation develops into one about how a student can make positive choices for his/her future. In the third grade classes, each student completes a report card. It is his/her chance to be the teacher, and write down the grade they wish to achieve in each subject area. I challenge them to think about how the choices they make have an impact on whether the 4th quarter report card will be a source of pride or disappointment. We talk about how hard work, persevereance, asking for help, setting priorities, and doing your best determine the outcomes on a report card. More importantly, we discuss that the responsiblity to achieve the grades they have put on the report card, belongs to the individual. Students are always inspired by this activity and many of them are truly reflective as they record the grades they feel they want to earn by the end of the year. 

Fourth grade students are also invited to think about responsiblity in terms of working towards one's future success. Mr. Robert Newberry (former School Counselor for South Lewis), coined the Nine Winning Practices through his company Rebrilliance. These nine principles guide discussion with fourth grade students about how to demonstrate responsbility for one's own future and successes. 

I encourage you to talk with your student about planning for the future. It is never to early to help kids think about the many possibilities that await them, and how the choices they make now are related to the future success they may one day enjoy. Success is a work in progress, and a lifelong pursuit, so it is always good to have the encouragement of parents along the way to help students identify and employ the responsible choices that lead to promising results. 

This month we are working on the Character Trait of Caring. We talk at length about how we care for others. We use the term "filling buckets" to inspire our students to purposely do nice and kind things for others. Part of our discussion towards the end of this month is about caring for ourselves. Students partake in lessons about what it means to have self-esteem and why that is important. Loving ourselves will help us to better love others and it helps us to foster the self-efficacy needed to achieve success. Below are some attached images of a second grade project. Each student was asked to use positive describing words to talk about themselves in this poster activity. Students could identify themselves as "smart," "trustworthy," or "polite" among many other positive adjectives. It is important to foster a child's self-esteem each and every day in school and at home, as it is important piece of the recipe for future success.

Hello All,

  Our Character Counts program is in full swing again this year and students are continuing to learn about what it means to be a person of good character. So far we have worked hard on making good choices, and we have talked about being respectful and tolerant of ALL others. As a part of the discussion on respect and tolerance, students also discuss the word bullying. We talk about what it means and how to handle it. The focal point of our discussions this year have been about following the "Golden Rule" and showing someone else kindness even when they are not doing so for you. We have read a few stories together: "The Recess Queen" by: Alexis O'Neill, and "Bully Beans" by Julia Cook (my favorite children's book author) that discuss bullying and appropriate, respectful ways to handle it. I encourge you to continue to talk with your children about bullying and help them develop and use strategies that are assertive and respectful. In January we will get right back into "Bucket Filling" and Random Acts of Kindness (RAK's) to help our kids continue to learn and grow! Happy Holidays. Talk to you again soon!

Greetings Parents and Students,

   October is already in full swing, and I wanted to let you know that October is National Bullying Prevention Month. We talk about bullying extensively in the months of November and December when classroom guidance lessons about Respect take place. Bullying is a hot topic in the world of education, and as teachers, students, and parents we are all important stakeholders in the movement towards a more tolerant, accepting, and respectful youth. The website www.stopbullying.gov is a great resource for parents and students to give you some tips on how you can help if you suspect your child is being bullied. I encourage you to take a moment to familiarize yourself with some of the great tips and advice this site offers. As one of the DASA (Dignity for All Students Act) coordinators in our district, I know just how important it is to stay informed and how it is even more important to work together to help our young people feel successful socially as well as academically. Happy Fall everyone!

~ Mrs. Monnat