Altamont Elementary School
March Newsletter
Tips for Parenting
1. Ask Kids, "What Would Harry Potter Do?" Grant states, "Parents are great role models when it comes to important values. They're not great role models if you want to be original because it's very easy that you end up copying one of your parents." He goes on to make a case that the best role models can come from fictional characters. Another example he shared was, "What Would Batman Eat?" when deciding whether to eat an apple or french fries. Much loved fictional characters can help us in our parenting and play an important role in helping your child make decisions and pick other "people" to model in life.
2. Adam Grant found that children who scored in the top 5% in creativity tended to come from households with, on average, less than one rule in the home. The average home has 6 rules. He said the emphasis should be on VALUES over rules. When you focus on values over rules you have to start good conversations about right and wrong and you can't simply say, "That's against our rules."
3. Praise Character, Not Actions: When your child does something that is nice or helpful, don't say "That was nice" or "That was helpful." Instead say, "You are nice" or "You are helpful." Grant says that by praising the person rather than the behavior you help a child to develop an identity as being a helpful and/or kind person. When kids see good behavior as part of their identity, they are more likely to make good choices in the future.
4. Explain How Bad Behavior Affects Others: Adam Grant shared some fascinating research about people who risked their lives to save Jewish individuals in the Holocaust. From his research, he found that these people were more than 3 times as likely to have parents who focused less on punishment and more on explaining how bad behavior affected others. He feels when parents focus on this, kids develop both empathy and guilt. Empathy will help kids to want to right the wrong while guilt will make kids remorseful and less likely to repeat a bad choice.
What I took away from all of this advice was the importance to parent in a way that promotes conversation and discussion. Use the heroes they love. Consider how fewer rules may be better. Celebrate the individual versus the behavior. Happy Parenting :-)
Creating Classrooms for 16-17
Dear Families,
Soon we will begin planning classroom assignments for the 2016-2017 school year. Placement of students in the next grade level is a complex process that impacts the overall atmosphere of our school. Some of the factors that are important to consider are:
- The academic abilities/needs of the student;
- The social needs of the student;
- The balancing of each class by gender, performance and special student needs;
- The type of assistance which can be provided within the class; and the impact of students on each other in the same classroom.
All placement decisions are a result of a team effort. Your child’s present teacher
will meet with other teachers at this grade level, support and special area staff and me to develop classes for next year. Our placement process is based on the following assumptions:
- Our belief that a balanced class of diverse learners is the most important factor in ensuring the success of all the students.
- Our belief that any teacher in our school is capable of teaching any child.
- Our belief that children benefit from a variety of educational experiences, and that they will grow from their interaction with different teachers and a variety of teaching styles.
Your thoughts about your child are important to us as well. You MAY write a
letter but it is NOT necessary or expected. At this point, teachers have not yet been assigned for next year’s grade levels. Please understand that it is not possible to honor requests for a particular teacher. In fact, I ask you do not specifically request a teacher. You may want to share any special considerations for us to review as part of this process, including those students who will be attending FMS in the fall. Instead of requesting a particular teacher, letters should include information concerning your child’s needs as a learner and the type of learning environment in which you feel he or she can be most successful.
All communications about placement must be in writing. In order to give full consideration to your thoughts, I ask that your letter be sent to me by Thursday, March 24, 2016. These letters will be shared with classroom teachers during the placement process. Letters received after this date may not be considered. Thank you for your cooperation.
Sincerely,
Peter J. Brabant
Principal
The Learning Fair
So many things in our children's lives are dictated for them and/or governed by rules and expectations. This is a time for a child to explore his/her interests in STEM (Science Technology Engineering Math) areas. Also, this allows for a parent to connect with a child on a school project for the sole purpose of discovery and joy.
I look forward to seeing you Thursday evening from 6:30-7:30. Again, thank you for your support and keep the connection and joy going with all areas of learning.
Altamont 5th Graders Participate in DARE
The Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) Program is happening at Altamont for our 5th graders. The keepin’ it REAL curriculum is an exciting ten-week program to help students resist pressures which may influence kids to experiment with alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs. The course also focuses on the D.A.R.E. Decision Making Model that will assist kids in problem solving, being good citizens and making wise decisions.
PTA News
Dates to Remember:
Tuesday, March 15th PTA Meeting @ 6:00 *Calendar Change
Friday, April 8th PTA Bingo Night @ 6:30
Thursday, April 21st PTA Meeting @ 6:00
Box Tops for Education
Please continue to send in your box tops to the school. The next submission deadline is March 1st. The PTA has already received $673.10 this school year through this program. Thank you!
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.
Tyson Project A+
We will also be collecting labels from bags and boxes on Tyson products. We will receive 24 cents per label to help fund PTA activities.
Price Chopper Tools for Schools
Help Altamont Elementary earn free education equipment! Simply visit Price Chopper's Web site (www.pricechopper.com) to register your AdvantEdge card for our school. Our school code is 15679. From July 26, 2015 through March 26, 2016 , every time you use your Price Chopper AdvantEdge Card, AES can get credit towards free educational equipment. This costs you nothing and will not interfere with credits you are earning for any other shopping promotions at Price Chopper. Please tell your family, friends, co-workers and neighbors! Thank you for your support!
Superintendent Shares 16-17 Proposed Budget
Thursday, Mar 3, 2016, 07:00 PM
LGI
5th Grade Celebrate America
Friday, Mar 4, 2016, 06:00 PM
Altamont Elementary School
K-5 Early Dismissal
**Please send in a note ASAP if alternate transportation is needed**