John Tuck Elementary
June 2021-2022 Newsletter
A message from Mr.Porter
It is always with a heavy heart and a little bit of excitement that I write to you each June. Each school year is so unique and filled with challenges as well as tremendously rewarding triumphs. This year has been no different and the most impacting triumphs are always the opportunity to see healthy, happy, growing student reach new heights and gain new confidence in both their academics and personal self value. I would like to thank the many parents/guardians who supported and partnered with us to help your child grow this year. I hope to see many of you at our end of the school year field day and BBQ!
Lastly, I would be remiss if I didn't offer my insights and recommendations for your children this summer as you help them enjoy being a kid and also prepare for next school year.
Mr. Porter's Top 10 Ways To Support Your Child's Physical, Mental and Academic Growth this Summer:
1. Let them know you love and care for them every day.
2. Spend time each day focusing on quality 1:1 time with your child. Let them pick some fun activities like playing catch, going for a walk or bike ride, cooking/baking together, creating art or building something, reading together...etc.
3. Read, Read, Read...there is no substitute for children engaging in the love of reading.
4. Play simple games that involve basic number sense like counting, addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, counting money etc. Failure and challenges are good so encourage resilience if and when things get hard!
5. Be aware of your child's mental health. Many of our students are really struggling with their emotions and how to process them. This manifests itself in many different ways. Getting young people who are struggling plugged into counseling is a really important part of helping them be healthy and successful.
6. Limit the screen time and CLOSELY monitor what your children are engaging with on TV, Tablets and Phones. We are seeing a drastic increase in our elementary students watching and engaging in HIGHLY inappropriate content.
7. Set up an exercise schedule for your kiddo! Simple activities like taking walks, shooting baskets, playing movement games...can be a huge support to your child's physical and mental well-being.
8. Give your child responsibilities. Daily or Weekly chores are a great way to help your child learn responsibility and understand the wonderful feeling of being productive.
9. Find an opportunity for your child to volunteer and give back to others. This could be as simple as helping an elderly neighbor take out the trash or offering to pull weeds for a neighbor or family friend.
10. Give hugs, compliments and high fives to your child as much as possible! The positive energy and affirmation helps grow their confidence and healthy relationships at home!
It has been such a joy and honor to serve your children this year! We look forward to seeing them back next year and wish the best for those who are moving up to Middle School or moving to another school.
Yours in Service,
Dusty Porter
Principal - John Tuck Elementary
Gylling’s Greetings
Throughout the year, students were immersed in social and emotional learning that focused on: learning about and identifying feelings, identifying healthy emotional management, understanding and respecting others’ feelings, and demonstrating compassion/empathy towards others.
As we transition to summer, please continue to support your child by talking with them about their emotions. As adults, we ALL can experience a range of emotions, and kids do too!
- Help your child name their feelings. Are they feeling happy, mad, sad, frustrated, disappointed, or scared? Once your child can identify their emotions, support in working through them. “Name it (the emotion) to tame it”.
- Talk about emotions of characters in books and TV by asking: “how do you think he/she feels?” This also teaches kids about empathy.
- Teach coping strategies. We talk a lot about “tools in our toolbox”. This means what strategies kids can use when they’re sad, mad, worried, etc. Some tools kids can use are: take deep breaths, listen to music, talk to someone, draw/color, eat a snack, go for a walk, read, or snuggle a pet.
If you or a loved one need mental health support over the summer, please access any of the resources below:
- Deschutes County Behavioral Health (crisis & non-crisis support)
Crisis: 651-322-7500 ext. 9 (open 24 hrs)
Non-Crisis: (541) 585-7210 (in Bend)
2.St. Charles Behavioral Health Services: 541-706-2768
3. Central Oregon Community Resources
4. First Step Oregon (click on the three horizontal bars in the upper left-hand corner to find resources)
FREE Summer Meals are coming back for kids and teens!
Meal Service will be Monday - Thursday, July 5th through August 18th, 2022
- Deschutes Public Library, 827 SW Deschutes Ave, 11:15a -11:45a
- The Eat, Read, Play Program, Jericho Road, & OSU Extension Services will also have activities here July 5-28
- Redmond Swim Center, 465 SW Rimrock Way, 12:20p - 12:35p
- Sam Johnson Park, 333 SW 15th St, 12:00p -12:15p
- Vern Patrick Elementary, 3001 SW Obsidian Ave, 10:45a - 11:00a
- Drexel Apartments, 11:00a -11:15a
- The Bluffs Apartments, 11:20a - 11:35a
- Chaparral Apartments, 11:40a - 11:55a
OSU Extension Nutrition Education Program
OSU Extension Nutrition Education Program will be active over the summer with many programs! Like and follow us on Facebook and Instagram @DeschutesNutritionEd to stay up to date with all our events.
- Every Tuesday starting June 16th through August 4th OSU Extension Service will be at the Redmond Farmers Market, located in Centennial Park from 3-7PM. Participate in our games and activities. Children ages 5-14 can earn a Food Hero ticket worth $4 to buy locally grown fruits and vegetables at the market.
- Tuesdays in June from 10 to 11am, join OSU Extension and the Children’s Forest of Central Oregon for Kids on the Move. Kids on the Move is a family program focused on outdoor exploration, fun physical activity, and nutrition. This free program is offered for children 0-5 and family at American Legion Park. Advanced registration is strongly encouraged –more information will be available on our Facebook page.
- Look for OSU Extension at the Summer Meal program at the Deschutes Public Library for fun activities and resources.
Find out more about our summer programs and find kid-friendly electronic resources in our newest Digital Mural.