TWE Newsletter
November 2, 2020
Principal Pointers
It’s November! Hoping you had the opportunity to enjoy the beautiful fall weather this weekend. The weather has given us lots to be grateful for as we begin our PurposeFull People exploration of the trait of “Gratitude”. Until the Thanksgiving Break we’re talking about Gratitude and how it is important in our lives.
Our PurposeFull People information tells us these things about gratitude:
The dictionary defines it as: “the quality of being thankful; readiness to show appreciation for and to return kindness.” The definition we are using with PurposeFull People is: Gratitude: choosing to notice and appreciate things in our life, things in others, and things in the world.
We want to make sure we share with students that Gratitude is:
1.) a choice that we get to make over and over again on where we put our focus
and
2.) doesn’t always have to be about something positive.
We can feel grateful even for tough or challenging things in our life! There is plenty of research that shows a strong connection between Gratitude and reduced anxiety, increased happiness, and better relationships. Why? Because it is a matter of where we put our attention! Did you know we can only have one thought at once? Scarlett Lewis from the Jesse Lewis Choose Love Movement says it like this: We can’t have a grateful thought and an angry thought at the same time! Over the course of the month, we will talk about amazing people who demonstrate Gratitude in various ways. We will talk about incredible artists and writers and thinkers who know the power of Gratitude in the world. We will talk about what we are grateful for in ourselves and in others. We will encourage Gratitude towards our classmates, ourselves, and (of course) our family. And we will even find Gratitude in some things we wouldn’t expect to be thankful for! So, over the course of the month, we will consistently practice putting our attention and our focus on Gratitude. We will think about how to be grateful even for challenges.
Attached below you will find some additional ways you can support your child as they learn about gratitude at school. I personally find that this is the trait that always helps me re-center. We live in a complicated world. Some days are more challenging than others. The practice of finding three things a day to be grateful for has enabled me to live a happier and healthier life. If you don’t already have this as a practice, try it out. Today I am grateful that I get to enjoy this beautiful weather, I got to greet some happy and lovable kids this morning, and I get to be a part of a school community that is supportive during these tough times.
Our teachers were so appreciative of the “fan recognition” that they received from you during our cooperation unit. They are working really hard to make this unusual school year PAWSOME for your kids. Use the QR code below to send them some fan recognition. We encourage you to let them know why you are grateful for them by giving them some more kudos during the next three weeks.
Thanks to all of our Mystery Readers who are visiting classrooms virtually. We are finding that our kiddos have a shorter attention span virtually, so if you could follow this procedure, it would be helpful.
- Choose one picture book that can be read in 5-10 minutes.
- Introduce yourself and why this book is important to you/your child.
- Read the book.
- Your total time should be about 10-15 minutes.
- Have fun and enjoy yourself.
KVA Fall School Pictures
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050c4baeae2fa3fe3-tomwilson
Congratulations to our PTA Pumpkin Contest Winners!
Winners of the Animal category are…
- Avery Friehauf
- Clayton Arthur
- Campbell Curwood
Winners of the Book Character category are…
- Isabel Flores
- Avery Dye
- Caroline Kummer
Winners of the Spooky category are…
- Jackson Alford
- Ashtin Lancaster
- Ella Stephens
Winners of the Sports category are…
- Isabella Jones
- Samuel DuBose
- Preston Kummer.
Winners of the TWE Spirit category are…
- Collin & Hudson Rader
- Jackson Bilyeu
- Julianna Lowenberg
Please visit the TWE PTA website to see pictures of the winners with their pumpkins!
Class and Staff of the Week
Class of the Week (Pre K-2nd): Mrs. Martin's Class!
Staff of the Week: Mrs. Dilla!
Class of the Week (3rd-5th): Mrs. Bankston's Class!
Family Character Dare for the week of November 6th
Mabel's Labels
Tom Wilson Elementary
Website: http://www.katyisd.org/campus/twe/Pages/default.aspx
Location: 5200 Falcon Landing Boulevard, Katy, TX, USA
Phone: 281-234-1600
Twitter: @TWEHowl