Jefferson Press
March 2020
Principal News
Spring has sprung! Can you believe that it is March already? This month comes with two very important events. Our Kindergarten Registration is on March 5th and Jefferson will be piloting a new program which will have ALL of our students attending for FREE and we will offer full day programs only. Please tell anyone in your neighborhood about this very important date! Our Read Across America event will also be March 5th at 5:30pm. We are excited to see you and your child this month!
The character trait for February was Compassion. We discussed the fact that when our brains are stressed, we are not always at our best. The following article from “Love and Logic” speaks to our need to focus on ways to relieve stress.
Are you trying too hard to change? When we try too hard, our brains become stressed. When our brains are stressed, we go into survival mode rather than growth mode.
· When we’re stuck in survival mode, we fall back into old patterns.
· When we fall back into old patterns, we get upset with ourselves.
· When we get upset with ourselves, our brains drive us deeper into survival mode.
All of this unfolds as a vicious cycle of frustration and discouragement.
Is it okay to give yourself a break? Try an experiment for a week or two.
See what happens when you step back and do the following.
Trust that your brain is learning even when you aren’t conscious of it.
For decades people have told me, “What helped me most was to listen to the same Love and Logic audio repeatedly without trying to learn any of it. After about six repetitions, I found myself implementing the concepts without trying.”
Learn in little chunks.
Give yourself permission to focus on one skill or concept at a time.
Get relaxed and imagine.
Mentally rehearsing and visualizing success are powerful strategies for many people. At least once a day, breathe deeply, get relaxed, and imagine that you are using the skill or concept you’ve chosen to work on.
Focus on what you want to do, not what you don’t want to do.
Instead of repeatedly thinking something like, “I’m not going to lose my temper today,” experiment with, “Today I’m going to delay the consequence when I feel anger coming on.”
Develop a mental anchor around the change you want to make.
Mental anchors are short sayings to memorize and fall back on when we find ourselves tempted to backslide. Love and Logic materials are full of them. Examples include:
•Anger and frustration feed misbehavior.
•Hope and pray for mistakes when the price tag is small.
•Kids will come to need the same number of reminders they are given.
•The more words I use when things are going wrong, the less effective I become.
The audio, Helicopters, Drill Sergeants and Consultants, is very helpful for parents. Listening to these audio recordings at least six times is the best way to bring about real change.
Remember, step back, relax, and visualize strategies for positive outcomes.
Parent Survey Needs You
Dear Jefferson Parent/Guardian:
One of the pieces of Idaho’s new school accountability system is a parent survey. This survey asks for your input on several topics to help measure how our schools are doing in meeting your needs.
To access the survey, click on the link below:
https://eprovesurveys.advanc-ed.org/surveys/#/action/127100/p30811.
Select Jefferson school from the drop-down menu.
Please complete a survey for each school your child attends.
The survey should take 5-10 minutes to complete and your responses are anonymous. Please submit your survey by March 31, 2020.
We will use these survey responses to identify opportunities to maximize satisfaction, engagement, and communication. Additionally, the state will report the results and the number of responses on Idaho’s new school report card (https://idahoschools.org/).
Thank you for participating in the survey. If you have any questions, please contact your school’s Principal.
Sincerely,
Ted Totorica - Principal
Some Important Dates with More to Follow........
K Full Day and Grades 1-6: 8:40 am - 1:15 pm
Kinder PM: 11:30 am- 1:15 pm
March 19th - Spring Pictures with Class Pictures (order forms will be coming home the second week in March
March 23 - 27 - Spring Break - NO SCHOOL
Remember to check out the Jefferson web page and find more events listed on our calendar.
The following are some extra special events to check out..................
Special Activities and Dress Days For This Week - See Below......
PTA Sponsoring a Reading Night With You and Your Student
At 5:30 you will start out in a class room and learn a reading technique with your student
At 6:00 you can move to a different room and learn a second reading technique with your student. OR, if you only want to learn one technique, go to the gym for a snack and a free book for students in grades K-6.
At 6:30 if you learned a 2nd reading technique, now come to the gym and enjoy a snack and take home a student book.
***Every Jefferson student grade K - 6 will receive 1 free book and 1 snack.
The Boise Public Library will also be in the gym to help with getting a library card and let you know of programs they also have available.
We look forward to seeing you that night.
Celebrate Reading with 1st Grade - March 6th
Time: 1:30 pm - 3:00 pm
Place: Your students classroom
Expect some exciting reading activities but for more information, please contact your students teacher.
STEM Day at Jefferson, March 20th
Grades 5 and 6:
9:30 - 10:15
10:30 - 11:00
Grades K - 4:
1:00 - 1:45
2:00 - 2:45
Please contact your students teacher for more information on activities and/or volunteering.
EVERYONE is Welcome!!!
Roaring Springs Readers Program
NO LATE ENTRIES WILL BE ACCEPTED.
Remember, they will receive 1 free entry ticket to Roaring Springs if they read and complete the form and submit it on time. Tickets will be handed out in May before school is out.
Locks of any kind
Exercise & Ride to School
New scooter racks
Bikes, Scooters, Skateboards---Bring a Lock
We will still have the bike racks to lock up bikes so please make sure your child comes with a bike lock. Jefferson can not be responsible for stolen bikes.
We also have the option to lock up scooters and skateboards. They just need a padlock and not the cable like bikes do.
Bingo is coming April 17th
Parents, we really cannot do things without you.
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)
We will also be hoping for donations of baked goods and soda to be able to sell that night as well so get your baking hats ready and have some fun.
Call the school with any questions, 208-854-5260 and look for fliers to start coming home in March.