Mustang Family Newsletter
January 2021
Wednesdays in January and February
We will continue with our half day Wednesdays for January. School hours will remain as 8:30 start and dismissal at 12:00pm.
Wednesday, January 6, and January 20, February 3rd, and February 24th Cohort A students will attend for half day in-person instruction.
Wednesday, January 13, January 27th, and February 10th Cohort B students will attend school for half day in-person instruction.
There will be no PreK on Wednesdays.
Cold Weather
Return to School Flowchart following Covid-19 Symptom
Drop off/Driveline
If you drop off or pick up your child outside of Driveline hours, please come to the front office.
Counselor Corner
Greetings from the Counselor’s Corner. It was wonderful to return to school after a restful break and reconnect with your children. Prior to vacation, we took a pause with the Second Step Curriculum and learned about how different regions of the world celebrate the holidays. I was happy to have many kids make the connection with respecting differences, a theme of many of our Second Step lessons, and learning about differing cultural celebrations. This week we have resumed our Second Step lessons. The focus for the younger grades is recognizing feelings and distinguishing between comfortable and uncomfortable feelings. The upper grades continue to discuss feelings with an emphasis on empathy.
I would be remiss as a school counselor if I ignored the breaching of our Capitol Building on January 6. Wherever any of us are with our political affiliation, it is safe to say, the latest events have been unsettling. As I drove to work the morning of 1/7, my dear students were in the forefront of my mind. I reminded myself that some would likely be unaware of the event, and some would enter the building with worry and questions. I was uplifted by the fact that our district wide Second Step curriculum spends a bulk of its lessons on themes such as respecting differences, and how to disagree respectfully.
Teaching how to disagree respectfully starts with adults. Kids learn by watching and listening to the adults in their lives.
It is important for caregivers to model using a calm tone and an openness to another’s point of view when disagreeing. This is not always easy. If you should happen to express feelings in a disrespectful manner in front of your children, ( we all have slipped and done this) share with them that you were inappropriate, and what you wished you said was X. This models self examination, a willingness to admit to making a mistake, along with how to express feelings calmly and respectfully.
Conflicts are an opportunity for growth. It is concerning to see our country working through such strife. As I shared with a student who was asking my opinion of “why?” I shared that I think for a long time, we haven’t been listening to one another, and as painful and scary as this is, I think this conflict just might force us to start listening more openly. Relationships are strengthened when they survive challenges and disagreements.
This is an opportunity to facilitate your children in forming their own opinions. Instead of answering their questions immediately, ask them why they think this happened? How do they think our political leaders should respond? Resist the urge to challenge their thoughts and feelings when they respond differently than you expected, and instead thank them for sharing their point of view.
Please do not hesitate to reach out if your child needs some extra support or you need additional guidance in navigating this difficult topic with your child. Below are some resources that might be useful for you. Take care and be well.
https://www.npr.org/2019/04/24/716704917/when-the-news-is-scary-what-to-say-to-kids Here is a link to a podcast episode from NPR's Life Kit: The 16 min episode for caregivers is about scary news and talking to kids about it. Very easy to hear and clear take-aways at the end.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SEfs5TJZ6Nk This is a 3 minute mindful breathing exercise for all ages to pause for a few minutes of calm.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VZ_wdeog5Ek This is a meditation specifically for children.Educational Technician Office Hours
We have great news! We are now offering office hours for all students to access. If you have any questions and need assistance, please click on the appropriate zoom links below
Mrs. Lawler: (grades k-3) 1:30-2:00 https://zoom.us/j/5118470941
Mrs. Shea: (grades 4-6) 1:00-1:30 https://zoom.us/j/2117333443
Valentine's Day
Dine Around Cards
Upcoming Dates
January 20th- 1/2 Day- Cohort A
January 21st- Cohort A- Hat Day
January 22nd-Cohort B- Hat Day
Paperless Newsletters
There are many benefits to providing families with newsletters electronically. An electronic newsletter conserves paper, is more cost efficient, and delivers the newsletter directly to parents. Minot Consolidated School will be providing newsletters electronically for the remainder of the year. If you would prefer to receive a paper newsletter moving forward, please contact us at (207) 346-6471 or at kbrown@rsu16.org in order to notify us. Newsletters can also be found on the MCS website
About Us
Future Newsletter Items
If you have any items you would like to have included in a future Family Newsletter, please forward them to me and I will be sure to add them!
School Hours
Arrival- 8:30 for the first shift/ 8:35 for the second shift
Dismissal- 3:08 for the first shift/3:12 for the second shift
Email: kbrown@rsu16.org
Website: https://www.rsu16.org/mcs/index
Location: 23 Shaw Hill Road, Minot, ME, USA
Phone: 207-346-6471