The Triton Tribune Parent Edition
Be Kind ~ Be Awesome ~ Make The Right Choices
Volume 2 ~ Issue 12 ~ October 19, 2020
Wonderful Triton Students and Parents,
“I count him braver who overcomes his desires than him who conquers his enemies; for the hardest victory is over self.” Aristotle
Distance learning has really tested every aspect of self-control that we might have had. What I have learned since April is to focus on what I can control; this means not allowing others and what they do affect my internal balance, especially if it is negative. Distance learning has also taught me that self-regulation can easily be derailed when predictable patterns in our lives, such as going to work or school, are removed. And it reveals what we have in place to maintain control and regulation. Consequently, we are having to learn new ways to self-regulate in quarantine or we are being forced, as adults, to learn self-control that we may have not learned in our time of maturation. If adults' self-regulation can be derailed by a pandemic, imagine how this pandemic is wreaking havoc on our children's' journey of developing rituals and patterns of self-regulation. It is even more important now that we have to instill in them the importance of developing self-control during the pandemic. I believe when they do, many of our children will be some of the strongest individuals this world has ever seen. History has shown us that generations who have endured extreme hardship have produced the most resilient generations of individuals who are using their experience to better society. In the Triton Trait section below, I share an example of a 7-year old who found a way to calm himself by focusing on his love for his mother. Triton parents, I challenge you to focus on ONE skill to hone in developing your ability to self-regulate and ultimately, be models of individuals who exercise great self-control that our children can emulate.
ELM Teacher Distance Learning Dashboard:
In analyzing the qualitative data from the surveys, I created a graphic organizer called the ELM Teachers Distance Learning Dashboard. This dashboard contains information about how your children can be successful in each of their teachers’ classrooms. Please click on this link to access the dashboard. This dashboard should be completed by the end of this week.
Virtual 7th Grade Science Tutoring Now Available:
In addition to the virtual math tutoring, we will now be offering weekly 7th grade science tutoring on Wednesdays. The first day will be this Wednesday, October 21 at 3:30pm-4:30pm. See picture slide below.
ASB Spirit Day on Thursday, October 25 – Breast Cancer Awareness: Wear Pink
On Thursday, we are asking all of you to participate in Breast Cancer Awareness: Wear Pink activity. Wear your favorite shade of pink or ribbon. On Thursday, please submit your Wear Pink look to the URL bit.ly/ELMspiritsubmisions to be featured in my newsletter! See picture slide below.
South Bay Loops of Love Drive on Saturday, October 24:
Like me, many of you know someone who has been afflicted with breast cancer; in fact, some of you may be one of those blessed to survive. One of our teachers from East Hills Academy, Ms. Valerie Ruiz, is a breast cancer survivor and is spearheading the efforts of South Bay Loops of Love to collect donated items such as feminine hygiene and gently-used or new bras. On Saturday, October 24th, South Bay Loops of Love will be collecting donations between 9:00am and 12:00pm as the Chula Vista Community Park near Eastlake High School. It would be great if, as a school, we can make this their biggest collection ever! Please spread the word!
Below are slides and video information that are pertinent to the week. They appear in this order:
1. Blast from the Past Video
2. Important Schedule Changes in Quarter 2
3. Academic Support for Quarter 2
~Available Daily Support
~Virtual Math Tutoring Schedule
~Virtual 7th Grade Science Tutoring Schedule
4. October Triton Trait: Self-Control
~Self-Regulation is KEY!~David Tran's Choice and Plan for Self-Regulation
~Self-Control Quotes
5. Yearbook Submission Requests
~Staying Fit in Distance Learning
~Science Through Distance Learning
6. ASB Spirit Activity: Celebrating Breast Cancer Awareness
~Wear Pink on Thursday, October 22.
~South Bay Loops of Love Bra and Feminine Hygiene Collection on October 24.
7. Lunch Distribution Announcement
8. Attendance Clearance Form
9. ELM Restorative Practice Parent Referral Form
10. Genus Bar Teachers Support Form
11. ELM Technology Support Line
Finally, please refer to the website for updates. We update it on a daily basis.
Let's have an amazing week!
Mrs. Finley
This week we are adding a 7th grade science tutoring session on Wednesday from 3:30pm - 4:30pm. A 7th grade teacher will be available for you to ask for additional support.
Don't wait until weeks from now to get caught up. This is your part in learning how to regulate your actions so that you develop your self-control.
Learning to Self-Regulate is KEY!
- Help children to recognize there is a higher goal.
- Use naturally occurring situations to teach self-regulation strategies. For example, waiting to open holiday presents.
- Acknowledge the challenge of regulation. It is hard for us adults, even more so for children.
- Have your children make a choice and plan for it.
- Play games that focus on self-regulation skills.
- Remember self-regulation is developed over a lifetime. At every age span, new skills are learned and add to the brain's memory.
In perusing Facebook this weekend, I came across a post of a teacher who worked for me at SOM but lives in the Eastlake community. She was sharing how her son, David, found a way to regulate his emotions in navigating distance learning in a dual instruction program. He is seven years old. Below is Lizzie Tran's post and David's choice and plan to self-regulate. David developed this plan all my himself. I love his metaphor of the plant. You are never too young to learn self-regulation. Enjoy their story.
Eastlake Middle School
Email: easter.finley@sweetwaterschools.org
Website: elm.sweetwaterschools.org
Location: 900 Duncan Ranch Road, Chula Vista, CA, USA
Phone: 619.591.4000
Twitter: @erfinleysd