Sunday, September 14, 2014

It’s not the years in your life that count; it’s the life in your years--Abraham Lincoln
You can tell more about a person by what he says about others than you can by what others say about him.--Leo Aikman
Remember to click on the page tabs at the top of this blog, particularly "This Week" to see this week's scheduled happenings.

GROWTH MINDSET: WITH TIME AND EFFORT I CAN IMPROVE!
Unless you try to do something beyond what you have already mastered, you will never grow.  Never stop challenging yourself.
"Try to be a rainbow in someone's cloud."  Maya Angelou

I need to be seen.  I need to be heard.  I need to be respected.  I need to be safe.  I need to belong.  When all of my basic needs are met. . . then. . . I’m ready to learn.             (Anonymous)
Dear Quashnet School Community,
     Our OPEN HOUSE is scheduled for this Thursday, September 18th from 6:00 – 8:00 PM.  We are hopeful all parents will choose to attend this “parents only” event.  The evening will begin promptly at 6:00 PM with a community meeting in the gymnasium.   Our teachers are excited to be able to meet with you and to share important information.  A positive partnership with each family, including frequent two-way communication, is vital in order for each student to have a productive learning year in which growth is achieved academically, socially, and emotionally.  We strive to maintain a school environment that is safe, supportive, and respectful. We continually work to be better.  
     School is filled with lots of difficult things, from reading challenging books to learning how to do complicated math problems.  Here’s what to say and do when your child says something is too hard:
1.  Let your child know that you believe he can do it.
2.  Remind him of other “hard” things that are now easy for him to do.  When he learned to ride a bike, it was hard.  Then he figured it out, and now it’s easy.
3.  Break difficult tasks into smaller pieces.  If reading the whole book seems too hard, try
starting with just one or two chapters.
4.  Help your child see the link between effort and success.

     We encourage our parents to visit our school during the school day.  We are always in need of volunteers to help make the school experiences better for our students.  We also encourage you to come and share a recess or a lunch with your child.  In partnership with parents, families, and the community, our mission is to educate, support, and celebrate all students.

QUASHNET SCHOOL COUNCIL—PARENTS NEEDED
So far I have heard from one parent who would like to serve on this year’s School Council.  We need two additional parents.  Please email me if interested.  If we only have three parents interested, then elections will not have to be held.  Please email me if you would like to be a member of our School Council.  We meet every six weeks or so.  The meeting day and time will be determined based on member consensus. 

FAMILY PHOTOS WANTED
We are looking for Quashnet family pictures to fill our front hall display cabinets—we only have one so far!  Please send in a favorite family photo (5 x 7 or smaller).  Please include text on the back of the photo (or on a separate sheet) that identifies who appears in the picture and also something about the event/activity.  These photos will be displayed throughout the school year and returned to you in June.  Our family photos, together with those of our staff, brighten up our cases and are very much enjoyed by all who stop to take a closer look.

DISMISSALS:  PER OUR PARENT/STUDENT HANDBOOK—If you are changing plans for your child’s dismissal from riding the bus to being a parent pick-up or vice-versa, you must notify the main office no later than 1:30 PM.  We are hopeful that most dismissal plans are determined before your child leaves for school in the morning and that you have written a note.  The last hour of the school day can be very busy.  When last minute changes are called in, there is a greater potential for miscommunication.

DROPPED-OFF ITEMS:  Please be aware that if your child forgets something at home and you bring it to school, your child will only be able to receive the item during his/her lunch.  We do not call into classes and interrupt learning in order to deliver such items. 

SUPPORT MR. RUMBERGER AND CALMER CHOICE
Today, our new Assistant Principal, Mr. Rumberger, rode in his first-ever “Last Gasp” charity bicycle ride from Sandwich to Provincetown. He rode on behalf of Calmer Choice, and all proceeds from his ride will benefit Calmer Choice’s mindfulness education programs right here at the Quashnet School. If you'd like to contribute, please log onto www.thelastgasp.com, go to the "donate" page, scroll down until you find his name under riders, then follow the remaining instructions. Thank you in advance to all who support this great cause!

7 Ways You Can Help Your Child do His/Her Best
Support from home can go a long way toward helping your child succeed in school.
1.      Keep up healthy routines—breakfast, physical activity, sleep.
2.      Stay in touch with teachers.
3.      Develop a homework habit/routine.
4.      Show interest in your child’s work. 
5.      Read, read, read.
6.      Strengthen study skills. 
7.      Extend learning beyond school.

EARLY ABSENCES LEAD TO SCHOOL PROBLEMS LATER
     You woke up late and you wonder whether to take your child to school.  After all, will one absence matter?  The answer is yes.  A large-scale review of research shows that children put their entire school career at risk when they are absent in the early years.  The learning they miss is hard to make up.  Still, it can be a challenge to get a family out the door on time.  Here’s how:
§  Get ready the night before.  Lay out what your child will wear.  Make sure he/she has everything he/she needs to take to school.
§    Establish routines.  Create a chart of the things your child needs to do each day.  When it’s routine, he/she won’t argue about it.
§    Allow extra time.  Set your alarm clock a few minutes early.  Allow yourself an extra five or ten minutes to get your child to school.

Come and enjoy lunch with your child.
Lunch time + Friends = Happiness
 
With Gratitude,
Patty DeBoer
Principal
"EMBRACE THE DAY"

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