McKinley Mindset
Learning Today, Leading Tomorrow
International Baccalaureate, World School
Offering the Primary Years Program, Preschool - Grade 5
Mindset Monday 11/5/2018
Happy Monday Skippers!!! Welcome to November. We are entering a season of thanksgiving, where we are called upon to reflect on the things that we are grateful for! Did you know that student-centered ACTION is a central theme in the International Baccalaureate? There are many opportunities to be involved in activities that help others this month... but also an opportunity to establish new patterns and routines that will help your child to express more gratitude throughout the year!
What is gratitude?
Gratitude is a human emotion that can be most simply defined as appreciation or acknowledgment of an altruistic act.
Gratitude and Neuroscience
What can learning to express gratitude do for your child?
Expressions of gratitude, grace, encouragement and acknowledgement have been known to:
- Increase the likelihood of reciprocity (Someone performs an act of gratitude for another person, and in turn, that person may be motivated to do something gracious for the former person or continue the favor for a stranger. )
- Studies show that grateful people are more agreeable, more open, and less neurotic (McCullough et al., 2002; McCullough, Tsang, & Emmons, 2004; Wood, Maltby, Gillett, Linley, & Joseph, 2008; Wood, Maltby, Stewart, Linley et al., 2008). Furthermore, gratitude is related negatively to depression and positively to life satisfaction.
- Strengthening interpersonal relationships.
- An increase in optimism
- An increase in happiness
- Promotes stronger self control (Self-Control helps us to be disciplined and focused and to persist with what is subjectively the most important for our long-term well-being.)
- Promotes better physical and mental health.
- Can lead to higher levels of self-esteem.
- Increase in positive emotions
- Decrease in overall anxiety and stress levels.
- Create a social network which can help both advance (school, career, goals) and better cope with life.
- Increase in internal motivation
You can read more about fostering gratitude in the articles below! Encourage your student to get involved with the events and activities this month such as the food drive and toy collection or complete the Gratitude Challenge! (link below)
You can join us on NOVEMBER 15 at 6pm at the Hildegarden to connect with other parents around the amazing world of parenting. Come learn and share ideas with us! AND don't forget to give yourself a little GRACE moms, dads and caregivers... raising little people is a BIG and difficult job and you are doing great!!! <3
Make it a great week,
Mrs. Polak
References:
https://positivepsychologyprogram.com/gratitude-appreciation/
https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/seven_ways_to_foster_gratitude_in_kids
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW THIS WEEK
Picture Retakes and Preschool Picture Day!
Harbor Holidays Is Coming!!
ELECTION DAY
Conferences Are Coming!
Food Drive
McKinley Student council is teaming up with Feeding Fairport's Hungry! During the month of November we will be collecting canned food and other non-perishable items! We are specifically collecting items to help Feeding Fairport's Hungry provide Thanksgiving meals to needy families. (Items like green beans, stuffing, corn, instant mashed potatoes, canned pie mixes, crusts, cornbread mixes and bagged marshmallows)
Additional items will be donated to the food bank at St. Anthony's! The class with the MOST food collected will win a special treat provided by Student Council! COLLECTION STARTS NOVEMBER 5!! Help us help our community!!
Special Person Week!
This week we will celebrate special person week
Monday K 9am-10am Pre School 1-2pm
Wednesday 1st grade 9-10am. 2nd grade 1-2pm
Thursday 3rd grade 9-10am 4th grade 1-2pm
Friday 5th grade 9-10am
Visitors, Please meet in the McKinley gym to join your special little person in some fun rock painting!
DONATIONS NEEDED: November PBIS Event
This year, as our November PBIS event, we will be having a McKinley Gift Giving Event. We are asking for your help in making this possible by donating a new, wrapped gift. On the outside of the gift, please indicate if it is for a girl, boy, or either. We will be raffling off the gifts during our November assembly.
As we continue to grow as global learners, we will also be collecting newly wrapped toys that will be donated to a local community organization. Please make sure that these gifts are also marked as girl, boy, or either.
We are asking that all donations be sent in by Tuesday, November 27.
Thank you in advance for your support!
McKinley PTO
Thank you to all of the parents who helped out with the Halloween Parties this year! Also, we thank everyone who was able to make it out to the Pizza Bingo on Friday! A great time was had by all.
Please join us for the McKinley PTO meeting on November 8th at McKinley!
HAVE A GREAT WEEK MCKINLEY SKIPPERS!
About Us
Email: jpolak@fhevs.org
Website: www.fhevs.org
Location: 602 Plum Street, Fairport Harbor, OH, USA
Phone: 440.354.5400
Facebook: facebook.com/fairportharborschools/
Twitter: @PrincipalPolak