Altamont Elementary School
January 2015 Newsletter
Mindfulness And Children
When I was learning about TM I recall wishing I could bring a similar experience to many of my students at school. However TM does not start working with children until they are about middle school age. Mindfulness, however, does offer strategies to work with children at a very young age. I think this is something all families should investigate to see if there is a way they could bring this (or a similar) practice into their regular routine.
According to The Parent's Guide to Mindfulness and the Anxious Child, practicing Mindfulness can help children in many ways including:
- Bringing attention back to the present, away from worries of the future
- Reducing stress
- Breaking the cycle of worry, where one fear feeds on another until it snowballs into full-blown anxiety or even a panic attack
- Teaching them to identify, become aware of and accept emotions, rather than simply be consumed by them
- Allowing them to practice awareness and acceptance without judgment
- Improving their memory simply by improving their ability to pay attention
- Enhancing their ability to focus and learn
- Letting them experience and understand their thinking process and how their mind works, both of which can lead to a greater understanding of self and their personal experiences in the world
Also, there is much research being done that supports the physical and emotional benefits of Mindfulness and other types of meditation with children and adults. Most adults, and children alike, are so connected and wired-in throughout the day. The information and stimuli literally never stops. We embrace the advances of technology and we know there is a cost, but what steps are we taking to address the costs and impact on our emotional and physical health, particularly for our children? Mindfulness, and other types of meditation, can be great antidotes for the increased stress and anxiety for our ever-increasing connected world. Who wouldn't agree that it would be great just to "shut-down" for a short time each day?
We can do exactly that! We can take a small step, that requires little time, to do something as a family that will have an ever-lasting positive impact for ourselves and our children.
I encourage you to investigate, research, and ask questions about Mindfulness and other types of meditation. I plan to reach out to experts as well to see if there are ways we can bring healthy habits like this to our student population. With the New Year right around the corner, I can't think of a better resolution than to start an activity that can help everyone in the family.
Lastly, I want to take this time to thank you for your continued support of our school and children. Each day, I remind myself how fortunate I am to work at this school with your lovely children. It helps to keep me young at heart, and it provides me with much joy watching children learn and grow. I wish you all a happy and healthy New Year!!
Digital Citizenship Week- January 20-23
From Facebook and Twitter to Instagram and SnapChat, social media is all around us—and our children. That is why now, more than ever, it is important to educate students and parents about the value of being good digital citizens.
To that end, GCSD is pleased to welcome internationally recognized educator and advocate Chris Vollum, of CMV Social Media, Inc., for a week of presentations and activities related to digital citizenship.
From Jan. 20-23, Vollum will work with students and teachers in each of the district’s seven school buildings. He will also present two evening parent sessions, entitled Social Media Fitness, on Jan. 21 and 22.
The evening session on Wed., Jan. 21 is primarily geared towards students in grades 4-8 and their parents. It will be held from 7 to 8:30 p.m. in the Farnsworth Middle School cafetorium. The evening session on Thurs., Jan. 22 will be held from 7 to 8:30 p.m. in the Guilderland High School LGI and is primarily geared towards students in grades 9-12 and their parents.
Both sessions of Social Media Fitness will cover similar topics and help both students and parents to:
- Understand Digital Citizenship; respect, integrity, honesty, boundaries & legal risks;
- · Become “Googleable;” building a compelling online reputation and inspiring presence;
- · Walk-through of privacy settings on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Vine and SnapChat;
- · Minimize online risk and the threat of cyber-bullying; a step-by-step approach;
- · Identify student age restrictions required to open online accounts; and
- · Demonstrate the depth to which Social Media profiles are evaluated by future influencers.
Attendees are encouraged to bring their mobile devices and tablets for hands-on learning. With storytelling and real-time social media demonstrations, the interactive presentation encourages students and parents to think critically and to successfully navigate their 24/7 connected world. We hope that you will join us!
Dates & Events
January 6 BOE Mtg at 7:00pm in LGI
January 8 PTA Meeting @ 6:00
January 9 PTA Movie Night @ 6:30
January 12 Kindergarten Information Night @ 7:00 (Snow date Jan. 13)
January 19 NO SCHOOL
January 20 BOE Mtg at 7:00pm in LGI
January 28 & 29 Kindergarten Registration Day (8:30-1:30)
January 29 Student Composer Night at FMS
February 3 BOE Mtg at 7:00pm in LGI
February 5 PTA Meeting @ 6:00
February 6 Winter Wonderland Dance
Kindergarten Information Night
On January 12, at 7:00pm in our cafeteria, we will be sharing information about our Kindergarten program. This is an important first step to a child having a successful start to the formal schooling process. We are hoping it's a great turn-out. Please call the school at 861 8528 with any questions.
Monday, Jan 12, 2015, 07:00 PM
Altamont Cafeteria
PTA News & Information
Dates to remember:
Thursday, January 8 PTA Meeting @ 6:00 pm
Friday, January 9 Movie Night @ 6:30 pm
Thursday, February 5 PTA Meeting @ 6:00 pm
Friday, February 6 Winter Wonderland Dance @ 6:30
Yearbook News: 5th Grade Parents – Please send in your child's baby picture for the yearbook if you have not done so already. Any questions, please contact Ruth Anne Burby @ 861-5892 or mburbyfamily@gmail.com.
Box Tops for Education
Please continue to send in your box tops to the school. This program brings in $700 - $800 to fund PTA programs every school year.
Tyson Project A+
This year we will be collecting labels from bags and boxes on Tyson products. We will receive 24 cents per label to help fund PTA activities.
Through the Campbell’s Labels for Education program we can get free merchandise for our school. Send in proofs of purchase (UPC codes) from participating Campbell products.