Jefferson News
November 2019
Principal Corner
Parents and Families,
October brought with it, The Great National SHAKEDOWN (Earthquake Drills), STEM Family Learning Day, The Great Math Magician (Assembly), Character Ed Family Celebration (Cake with Principal), Writers Workshop (5th Grade), Walk to School Day (PTA Sponsored), 5th & 6th Girls Basketball, Parent Teacher Conferences, 5th & 6th Everyday Leadership Kick-off, 6th Hour of Code Kick off, Boy’s STEM Programming after school, Red Ribbon Week, Halloween, 3rd Grade Learning through Dance and yes, there was academic learning! J There is no doubt that we have a vibrant learning community here at Jefferson!!!
In our sometimes-frenetic world, it is not always easy to take the time to respond in a way that is positive and that builds relationships with our little ones. We all have witnessed or even been raised with some strong armed parenting that leaves us questioning the temporary sanity of the adult. To calmly delay a conversation or a consequence instead of squashing defiance (or other frustrating misbehavior's), is a challenging and sometimes unnatural reaction. We might ask ourselves, “Do I look weak? If I don’t bring the wrath in that moment?” “Will kids or adults who are watching think I’m a pushover?”
The answer… No. No, they won’t.
Imagine this: You’re in a restaurant enjoying a lovely meal. But some lady at the table off to your right is having the opposite of a lovely meal. And she’s bringing the wrath. She’s getting louder. She wants to see the manager. Somebody is going to pay for this! She gets more and more red faced and threatening.
As you watch her, what is going through your mind? She’s so powerful? She’s so impressive? You wish you could rant and rave like that?
Probably not. You’re probably thinking she ought to control herself and calm down. You’re probably the opposite of impressed.
Self-control is actually a form of strength. There is much more power in the ability to keep our cool than there is in yelling, threatening, and lecturing.
Some people even repeat this phrase to themselves in moments when they need to remember to remain calm: “Anger and frustration feed misbehavior. Anger and frustration feed misbehavior…”
Put your mind at ease. You don’t lose an ounce of power when you choose not to yell or “drop the hammer” in the heat of the moment — you gain power. By staying calm and creating a more thoughtful response, you are enhancing your authority as an adult/leader. You can do this!
I hope you have a calm November focused on our Responsibility character trait and that you are able to spend some quality time with those you are thankful for having in your lives.
Community and Holiday help
Also- Whitney Community Center is a great resource for help with clothing, food, and other resources and is just right down the street. Contact them by calling 208-900-7106 or email susan.dennis@boiseschools.org
***Please note there may be deadline dates to request the Holiday assistance so mark your calendars as listed on the list.
Cold Weather - Dress Appropriately
Remember with the colder weather that is starting here in Boise to make sure your students come to school prepared for the weather. Closed toed shoes, pants, warm jackets, gloves, scarves, warm head gear, umbrella.
Students should not be dropped off before 8:20 am in the morning; we do not have supervision outside until 8:20 and with the colder weather, it is less time the students have to be outside in the mornings.
What if it is raining????
A sprinkle - all students are outside
Pouring rain - in the morning we invite the students inside to the gym and cafeteria starting at 8:15 am.
What if it snows?????
All students are outside unless our playground is deemed unsafe due to ice.
Calendar Events in November
- Sunday, November 3 - DAYLIGHT SAVINGS - Set clocks back 1 hour.
- November 9 - Everyday Leadership Rake up Boise
- November 14 - Retake Pictures - Did you miss the September date? - We have order forms int he office. Did you not like the September picture- bring the whole packet back to school that day and they will retake your students picture and order you the same packet
- November 25-29 - NO SCHOOL. Thanksgiving Holiday Break