Color of Our Worlds January 2019
Educating ALL MCSD Students for Success!
Making New Year’s Resolutions with Your Child
For many of us, the New Year means it’s time to take stock of our lives and fix what we don’t like. Whether it’s our diet, exercise routine or tendency to procrastinate, there is always room for improvement in the coming year. We not only benefit from New Year’s resolutions; our children can also learn a lot about self-discipline and the value of making goals. Here are some tips on how to help your kids benefit from making resolutions.
Make It a Family Activity
The best way to teach your children the importance of New Year’s resolutions is by making it part of the family tradition. Sit down each December and reflect on the past year, discussing your accomplishments and goals, as individuals and as a family. In your resolution conversation you can each talk about what worked this year and what didn’t.
Dr. Benjamin Siegel, professor of pediatrics and psychiatry at Boston University School of Medicine, suggests saying, “Each one of us is going to state a few things that we want to continue to do and things we’d like to change that would make us feel better about ourselves and how our family works.”
Each family member gets a turn sharing something they are proud of and something they want to improve. It may help for parents to go first, to give children a model. If your child is old enough to write, he or she should write down their accomplishments and goals, and you can help your younger child by writing theirs down.
Resolutions for the entire family might include taking a monthly hike, playing board games twice a month or committing to more volunteering activities. Try to limit the number so they are more doable and more meaningful. “A list of 100 things is impossible,” Siegel says. “It should be based on things that are doable without economic hardship.”
You can make a master list to hang in a public spot, like a bulletin board in the kitchen. Dr. Kathleen Clarke-Pearson, a clinical assistant professor of pediatrics at the University of North Carolina School of Medicine, suggests making a resolution box, in which each family member can drop in his or her resolutions, then pull them out at a later date to review them.
Different Resolutions for Different Ages
What your child needs to work on depends on your child. If you are concerned about his diet, then encourage healthier eating habits for him as well as the whole family. If your daughter’s room is a mess, try to help her commit 10 minutes a day to cleaning it. As your child ages, he can be more active in coming up with goals, which will mean more to him when he achieves them.
For preschool-aged children, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends resolutions that focus on cleaning up toys, brushing teeth and washing hands and being kind to pets. However, parents who consider these behaviors part of their regular expectations may want to provide resolutions that focus on higher goals.
Clarke-Pearson suggests preschoolers be encouraged to work on listening and helping skills. A resolution could be “I will be a better listener when Mommy or Daddy asks me to do something” or “I will help out more when Mommy or Daddy asks me.” If you keep it simple, your child is more likely to understand the concept as well as succeed.
As a child reaches age five and up to age 12, he or she is more able to comprehend a resolution and participate more in the process of picking one. The AAP suggests this age group commit to drinking more milk and water on a daily basis, wearing a seat belt and being friendly to all children. What your child needs to work on is very personal, so work with your child to come up with areas for improvement. Is she having trouble with a certain subject at school that needs more attention? Is he oversleeping and nearly missing the bus most mornings?
When your child gets into adolescence, the AAP recommendations focus more on the child taking more responsibility for his actions, including taking care of his body, dealing with stress in a healthy way, talking through conflict, resisting drugs and alcohol and helping others through community service.
Serve as a Role Model
No matter what age your child is, he or she is more likely to understand the value of goal setting if you take the lead. Just as with everything else you do, your child is watching. “Parents should be reflective about how they wish to be in the coming year,” Siegel says. “It’s a good opportunity to promote good mental and physical health.”
Think of how you can include your child in your resolution. “I’m going to drink more water this year, because water is good for me. Do you want to join me?” If you are finding yourself checking your e-mail when you should be spending time as a family, consider incorporating that into a goal. “I’m going to turn off my phone when I get home. Can you remind me and also remember to keep your computer in your room until after dinnertime?”
Rewards Are Long Lasting
We all know the feeling of meeting a goal, whether it be losing five pounds, quitting smoking or putting in extra hours to earn a promotion. Children also relish that thrill of accomplishment, especially when their parents are acknowledging it. As you go over the family list of resolutions each month or quarter, take time to acknowledge the successes, along with reinforcing the resolutions that need more attention. “Children will benefit by having the parent praise them, which will improve their self-esteem,” Siegel says. “This will help them with self-regulatory behaviors that they can integrate into being a healthy adult.”
When you sit down to review resolutions, this is not time for punishment, however. It’s important to be flexible and understanding, especially if the child is making the effort. “You don’t penalize if you don’t fulfill a resolution,” Clarke-Pearson says. “The resolution is not written in stone. It’s a guide.”
However your family arrives at resolutions, the best part is that you’re doing it together and learning how to manage your role not only in the family but also in the larger world.
By Laura Lewis Brown
(Retrieved from http://www.pbs.org/parents/holidays/making-new-years-resolutions-child/)
Happy New Year Around the World
From the American South to the hills of Romania, how children ring in the new year with their parents.
Armenia
Mothers make a special bread for their family, kneading luck and good wishes into the dough before it is baked.
Bahamas
People spend months creating elaborate costumes for the Junkanoo parade. The strangest and most beautiful costumes win prizes.
Bolivia
Families hang little homemade straw or wooden dolls outside their homes for good luck.
Denmark
The Danes throw old dishes at the doors of friends' homes for good luck. Finding a big pile of broken dishes on the morning of January 1 means you have lots of friends!
Ecuador
Families celebrate "Año Viejo" by stuffing old clothing with newspaper and firecrackers, much like a scarecrow. At midnight, each family sets its dummy ablaze, representing the departure of the old year.
Greece
Parents fill their children's shoes with presents at night. They tell the little ones the gifts are from St. Basil, who was known for his kindness and generosity to children and the poor.
Japan
The Japanese decorate their front doors with pine branches and bamboo to bring health and long life. They may also add fans, seaweed, or ferns for happiness and good luck. Children are given small gifts of money called otoshidamas. At midnight, bells and gongs are rung 108 times to chase away 108 troubles, and people laugh to drive away the bad spirits.
Portugal
In the north, children go caroling, singing old songs called Janeiros from home to home, where they are given sweets and coins.
Puerto Rico
Children throw pails of water out the window at midnight to rid their homes of evil spirits.
Romania
Children wish people a happy new year by touching them lightly with a bouquet called a sorcova, which consists of twigs from an apple, pear, cherry, or plum tree to represent fertility, health, and purity. Traditionally the twigs would have been placed in water on November 30 so they'd blossom by New Year's Eve. Today people decorate the twigs with flowers made of colored paper.
The Southern United States
Many Southerners eat black-eyed peas for good luck. Round foods are traditional for the new year in many cultures because circles represent continuity. Black-eyed peas are considered especially lucky because they contain two concentric circles
Spain
When the clock strikes midnight, people eat 12 grapes, one for every stroke of the clock and for good luck in each month of the new year.
Switzerland
The Swiss let a drop of cream land on the floor on New Year's Day to bring good luck.
(Retrieved from https://www.parents.com/holiday/new-years/traditions/happy-new-year-around-the-world/.)
Math Instructional Materials Adoption
Adoption - Math SY2019 serves as the hub for information regarding the instructional materials adoption for the current school year.
Thank you for being a vital part of the instructional materials adoption process. Your input is the cornerstone of decision making for the materials our students will be using in the classroom.
Please use the resources below based on your role in the adoption.
YOU MUST USE GOOGLE CHROME OR MOZILLA FIREFOX TO COMPLETE THE EVALUATION!
YOU CANNOT USE INTERNET EXPLORER. YOUR RESPONSES WILL NOT BE SUBMITTED.
For Public Consideration:
Questions? Contact Us!
Steve Layson - laysons@martin.k12.fl.us
Doug Konopelko - konoped@martin.k12.fl.us
Building Reading Stamina
What Does Research Say About Ways Parents Can Help Their Children With Reading?
The following suggestions have been beneficial to many parents:
- Provide a good role model by reading to yourself and by reading often to your child.
- Provide varied reading material - some for reading enjoyment and some with information about hobbies and interests.
- Encourage activities that require reading for example, cooking (reading a recipe), constructing a kite (reading directions), or identifying an interesting bird's nest or a shell collected at the beach (using a reference book).
- Establish a reading time, even if it is only 15 minutes a day.
- Write notes to your school-age child; encourage written responses.
- Ask your child to bring a library book home to read to a younger sibling.
- Establish one evening a week for reading (instead of television viewing).
- Encourage your child in all reading efforts.
Sara Johnson of Anderson Middle School Places Third in Inaugural MCSD Middle School Spelling Bee!
National Association for Pupil Transportation’s 2017-2018 Poster Contest Winners
The 2018 National School Bus Safety Week Poster Contest theme was: My School Bus, The Safest Form of Student Transportation! All 2018 winning posters, including overall winner, can be viewed here.
Congratulations to the following students:
Anthony Barrios Nolasco, Port Salerno Elementary PTO (1st place - K-2 Division)
Elrey Delcampo, Port Salerno Elementary School (2nd place - K-2 Division)
Leticia Gaspar-Jacinto, Port Salerno Elementary School (3rd place - K-2 Division)
William Troup, Dr. David L. Anderson Middle School PTSA/ Dr. David L. Anderson Middle School (1st place - 6-8 Division)
Zachary Hale, Dr. David L. Anderson Middle School (2nd place - 6-8 Division)
Kaley Dye, Dr. David L. Anderson Middle School (3rd place - 6-8
Division)
Legendary SFHS Bus Operator, Ruby Cunningham Retires After 24 Years of Faithful Service!
Writing Boot Camps Held at Warfield Elementary School!
Warfield Elementary School Literacy Coach, Jenn Bacchiochi recently taught over 130 4th-grade students in a week-long writing boot camp! During the week, she dove into the writing process with students and teachers, helping them learn how to apply the techniques they were learning to their writing.
Ms. Bacchiochi has conducted a writing boot camp for almost every grade level at Warfield this year, reaching more than 700 students and 32 teachers! Having this powerful, impactful and supportive writing boot camp for each grade level has built an excitement around writing!
Access Macaroni Kids to Be the First to Know about Great Local Events and Activities for your Kids and Family!
Macaroni Kid was founded with two very specific goals: enrich communities and empower moms. Macaroni Kid calls it “E2” and it is the driving force behind all that they do.
How?
- Macaroni Kid enriches communities by connecting the libraries, schools, rec centers, community centers and all of the wonderful organizations and businesses that create programming and fun for kids and families with local families.
- Macaroni Kid empowers moms by supporting our Publishers and giving them the tools, training and the platform to build their businesses and be a force for good in their communities.
So what does Macaroni Kid do?
Macaroni Kid (MK) publishes weekly, hyper-local e-newsletters and websites featuring events, activities, products and places for moms, kids and families. Macaroni Kid hosts local events and parties and connect with our communities via our rich and extensive social media channels.
Each community is managed by a local Publisher Mom or dad. They are the go-to parents in their communities and connect both online and off. They know their local communities and their local communities know them.
On top of 500+ local editions, Macaroni Kid publishes seven national editions focused on special interest content: Macaroni Kid Family Travel, Macaroni Kid Family Wellness, Macaroni EATS for the family foodies, Macaroni Kid Family Safety, Macaroni Stork and Macaroni Kid National.
Festive Sweaters and Head Gear at Warfield Elementary School's Holiday Spirit Week
Twin Holiday Fun at Warfield Elementary School!
School Resource Officer Jason Hickman Reads to Students for the Holidays
National Honor Students from Jensen Beach High School Host a Book Drive for Anderson Middle School!
Under the direction of National Honor Society sponsor, Theresa Messina, JBHS students collected more than 250 books for students at Anderson Middle!
"It was so enjoyable to hear the students share their memories of their favorite books as they brought in each donation," Ms. Messina said.
AMS Principal Tim Aitken traveled to JBHS to collect the books for his students. "Thank you for loving and supporting our kids and our school," Mr. Aitken shared. "I can't begin to tell you what this means...the books are current, in great shape and our kids will love them!
Anderson Middle School RoboStallions Qualify to Compete at First Lego League Regionals!
8th Grade Parent Meeting and National Junior Honor Society Tag Sale at Indiantown Middle School
Dylan Marzucca
Pillar of Trustworthiness
Kathryn Rogers
Pillar of Caring
Conner Stahley
Pillar of Caring
Traits
Dayana Arqueta
Pillar of Respect
Pillars
MCSD Title I Schools Earn FIVE STAR SCHOOL Award
The Florida Department of Education has announced the names of schools in the Treasure Coast area that have earned the Five Star School Award for the 2017-2018 school year. The award is bestowed upon schools that are committed to incorporating family and community members into the school environment to enhance student learning.
To earn Five Star School recognition, a school must show that it has achieved all of the benchmarks and criteria in five categories – Community/Business Partnerships, Family Involvement, Volunteerism, Student Community Service and School Advisory Council. Schools must also earn a grade of “C” or above or a school improvement rating of “Maintaining” or “Commendable” for the year being recognized.
Below are the Title I District-operated schools in Martin County that received the Five Star School Award for the 2017-2018 school year:
Port Salerno Elementary School
SeaWind Elementary School
For more information about the Five Star School recognition program, please click here.
Pinewood Elementary and Indiantown Middle Schools Participate in Martin County Kids Tag Art Program
Martin County Tax Collector, Ruth Pietruszewski is proud to help sponsor, Kids Tag Art, a collaborative project between the Martin County School District and the Martin County Tax Collector's Office to promote children in our schools. Students' artwork is being made into fobs and tags that can be purchased, with all proceeds being returned back into our schools. The profits from the purchases of these plates goes back into the classroom who participated in the program.
Artwork created by local students is one gift idea that's sure to make everyone smile!
Teachers Traci Hochstetter (Pinewood Elementary School) and Ashley Monks (Indiantown Middle School) worked with their fifth grade art students to create artwork for the Kids Tag Art program. Please click here to view the artwork and order your tags today!
Pinewood Participating Classrooms:
Indiantown Participating Classrooms:
Save the Dates!
Constitution Academic Competitions (Round 1):
January 14, 2019 8:30am-10:00am SFHS
January 15, 2019 8:30am-10:00am JBHS
January 16, 2019 8:30am-10:00am MCHS
Constitution Academic Competitions (Round 2) April 15, 2019 9:00am-10:30am SMS
Celebrate Literacy Week “Spreading Literacy, One View at a Time” January 28 - February 1, 2019 School Sites
Russell Holloway Elementary School Track Meet 34th Annual February 2, 2019 8:00am - 3:00pm JBHS
Career Academy Showcase February 6, 2019 5:00pm-7:00pm MCHS Gym
Perennial Math Tournament February 16, 2019 8:30am-12:30pm AMS
Academic Games State Tournament March 2, 2019 TBA West Palm Beach TBA
Bookmania March 2, 2019 9:00am-5:00pm JBHS
IMASH Book Bash March 22, 2019 10:00am-4:30pm SLC
Waterfest March 23, 2019 10:00am-2:00pm Memorial Park, Stuart
Music In Our Schools March 26, 2019 7:00pm MCHS
Kyle Conrad Memorial Middle School Track Meet April 6, 2019 8:00am-12:00pm MCHS
EFMC Elementary Book Bowl April 25, 2019 TBA The Kane Center
The Martin County Health Department has advised that there has been an increase in symptoms of influenza-like illness (ILI) in our county.
The flu is a very contagious respiratory disease that can cause mild or severe illness. Taking precautions, such as getting a flu shot, washing your hands often and covering coughs and sneezes can help prevent the flu from spreading. Symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, runny nose and body aches.
If your child becomes sick with flu-like illness, please contact your doctor as soon as possible to find out treatment options. Please click the link below to learn more.
Are you looking for free online resources to support your child's learning?
Access the 100,000+ resources on PBS LearningMedia for Students that are aligned to national standards. Content available in all subjects from Pre-K to 12th grade consisting of interactive lessons, videos, images, documents.
Sealing Sunny Smiles Across Florida
@GoHealthyMartin offers a FREE school based dental sealant program. With parental consent, children receive an oral health screening and dental sealants. This program is free - regardless of income.
Seal Away Tooth Decay!
Infants & School Aged Children
Community Based Services:
* Protective Dental Sealants
* Fluoride Treatments
* Oral Health Screening
* Education & Prevention Info.
Services are provided by a licensed dental hygienist from the Florida Department of Health at no cost to participants.
Services are billed to Medicaid for eligible participants.
More Information:
772-221-4000 ext. 2104
DentalSealants prevent approximately 80% of cavities in teeth where 9 in 10 cavities occur! Learn more by watching this #SunnySmilesFL video!
Welcome Back!
We hope that each of you had a wonderful break and enjoyed special time with friends and family. Time away from our everyday tasks can be remarkably restorative. We are confident that, as always, students and staff alike will return to our work and study communities with renewed enthusiasm and vigor.
The start of a new year provides an ideal time to reflect on where we have been and where we are heading. As we continue to celebrate our student successes, we recognize the valuable component of strong school family relationships. We look forward to continued involvement with our students and families.
Thank you for all that you do to make our Title I schools thriving communities of learning.
With our best wishes for a healthy and productive New Year,
The Title I Schools and Program Staff
Martin County School District Title I Schools and Program Staff
Elementary Schools:
Hobe Sound Elementary
JD Parker Elementary School
Pinewood Elementary School
Port Salerno Elementary School
Seawind Elementary School
Warfield Elementary School
Secondary Schools:
David Anderson Middle School
Indiantown Middle School
Spectrum Academy
Willoughby Learning Center
Title I Program Staff
Shela Khanal, Director of Title I Programs
Debra George, Coordinator of Title I Programs
Casey Vasko, Federal Programs/ Equitable Services Liaison
Yvonne Blanco, Title I Department Secretary
Website: https://www.martinschools.org/domain/360
Phone: 772-219-1200