Jefferson News
January 2020
Principal Corner
December was a whirlwind and unbelievably, here we are in a new year and final semester. January is a time of focused learning and academic growth at Jefferson. There are few distractions and learning is not paused for many special events. The routine is solidified and students generally respond quite readily to this structure. January is an incredibly cold month and I would like to reiterate that my goal is that students do not show up to school before 8:35am. It is just too darn cold for them to be standing outside shivering and slipping on the dangerous ice slicks that are all over the campus.
In January, we ask students to recommit to our character traits, especially focusing on kindness. Many suffer from SADD and can find this time of year challenging and our behavioral goal is for students to empathize with others who struggle while finding their own joy where they can.
Is there anyone in your life who seems to fly off the handle at the slightest perceived insult? Do you know anyone who throws verbal barbs and biting accusations your way any time you try to engage in conversation? The odds are very high that you do. Success with occasionally angry people… as well as the chronically ticked-off variety… involves remembering these three essential truths:
Anyone who angers me controls me.
The person who talks the least has the most power.
Questions create thinking… statements create resistance.
The first truth reminds us that we maintain our personal power only when we choose to separate ourselves from the other’s anger. Empathy provides a powerful tool for accomplishing this. That's right! When we perceive the other person as hurting… rather than as obnoxious… we are far less likely to find ourselves being triggered by their ire.
The second truth reminds us that ears are mightier than the mouth. Some people remain angry and confrontational regardless of how well we understand their point of view. Most, however, calm significantly when they see that we care enough to listen.
The third truth reminds us that thoughtful, sincere questions cause others to think. Examples include:
How long have you felt this way?
What do you wish would happen here?
Can you tell me more?
It all comes down to communication and sincerity in how we approach others. Patience and empathy help us reach understanding and want to reach out to those who are hurting rather than reject them off hand or fight their ideas.
Health Corner
Flu levels across the country are higher than in the average flu season! With students coming back to school after the holidays, it's more important than ever to take these steps to prevent the spread of flu/illness in our classrooms:
* Hand washing, especially before eating and after using the restroom
*take your child's temperature early and often if they're feeling unwell! Often, fever is the earliest sign of flu.
Medication will help cover symptoms, but it will not get rid of the illness. Please remember your child may still be contagious with any fever, vomiting and/or diarrhea and can get others sick as well. Please keep them home until they're fever, vomit and/or diarrhea free without medication for more than 24 hours.
Rest is very important in helping overcome illness. This is another reason staying home while Ill is important. The exhaustion of getting up and doing a daily routine can harm the body of the energy it needs to fight off the illness.
Please do not hesitate to contact us in the Health Office
Roaring Springs Reading Program Starts NOW
What do I need to do you might ask?---- Read so many minutes, log your reading minutes on the chart, turn the chart into your teacher, and then in May you will get 1 free entry into Roaring Springs Water park.
Again, the deadline to submit your finalized reading chart is April 1st.
5th and 6th Grade Parents...Please Attend
Boys Basketball Starts This Month
Practices will be 3:30 - 4:30 4 days a week.
Game schedules will be available at a later date and will be sent home with your student when those are scheduled. Games will start the last week of January we believe.
Transportation is not available after practices so you must make arrangements to pick up or have your student walk home after practices and games.
Parents may wait for their child out front of school after practice since practice is a time spent learning new things with the coach. We want all students even those new to basketball to feel comfortable so only students and coaches are allowed at practice times.
Transportation is not provided by the school for away games so you will have to coordinate transportation to the other schools with neighbors or other team member families.
We look forward to a great season. GO JEFFERSON!!!
Don't forget about the South Jr high Open House this month
Jefferson Bingo is Starting to Plan and Get Organized
We are starting to collect craft items, gently used toys, business items, and such.
If you need to clean out the closet, have a great crafty talent you would like to make something, own a business and would like to donate gift cards or items, etc. you can start thinking about things and drop them off at Jefferson any time. We will need prize items for all (boys, girls, men, and women)
Bingo Night is scheduled for Friday, April 17th