Family Knightline
Thursday, January 7, 2021
Dear ARK Families,
This wasn't my intended opening to this week's communication (that can be found further below), but given the events that unfolded yesterday in our nation's capital, I feel compelled to first touch on the matter that is consuming our country. Clearly, there is no blueprint for how to approach these unprecedented times and complex societal matters. While many of us were glued to our televisions and social media accounts yesterday, we must remember that our children may have been watching and listening as well. It is for these reasons that I offer some general suggestions and resources for you to utilize at your convenience should your children have questions or concerns about what they may have witnessed, heard, or perceived.
- Listen - Should children express the desire to share their thoughts and feelings, allow them to be heard.
- Reassure - Point out that what occurred was a very rare incident that is extremely unlikely to ever happen again.
- Offer hope - Share any positive outcomes you feel may come about in the future.
- Check in - Keep an eye and ear out. Are your children seeking out the story via television or social media? Are they talking about it with siblings or friends? If so, keep supporting them.
- We're here to help - If your children would like to talk to someone at our school, we're available. Mrs. Rickansrud, our school counselor, is a valuable resource and welcomes a meeting with any student who would benefit from it. You can email her directly at hrickansrud@chclc.org.
And now for my regularly scheduled opening...
Happy New Year! I hope you all are having a smooth start to 2021, and were able to enjoy a safe, restful and joyful winter break. As we move into our second week of 2021, please join us in talking with your children about the new year being a fresh start for us all.
Now is a great time to reshape habits, and work to improve ourselves in targeted areas. For elementary age students...maybe this comes in the form of working to become more independent, using an alarm clock to wake up earlier, participating at least 2-3 times in class daily, trying a new food, etc. Whatever it may be, encourage your children, support them, and help them keep their goals at the forefront of what they do throughout the year.
All for One and One for All!
Mr. Eugene Park
Principal, A. Russell Knight Elementary
WE Learn Through Service
WE are beginning a WE Learn Through Service movement in the district. This is Student-Led and will empower our students to be able to take actions to make sustainable changes that will live beyond their time as students in our school district. This is greatly inspired by the work of Dr. King, a man who has taken action and inspire others to be great!
Cherry Hill African American Civic Association Poster, Essay, Video Contest
See the documents below for additional information.