Falcon Flyer
December 4, 2017
Riverview Elementary
Website: http://re.usd232.org/pages/re
Location: 21550 West 47th Street, Shawnee, KS, United States
Phone: 913-441-0808
Twitter: @riverviewfalcon
Greetings from the Principal
Dear Falcon Families,
It’s hard to believe there are only 10.5 school days until winter break, which marks the half-way point of the school year. Time must fly when you are having fun, because the year is going by so quickly! We are also half-way through learning The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People.
By now, you probably know Covey’s first three habits by heart:
1. Be Proactive
2. Begin with the end in mind
3. Put first things first
If you think about the using the 7 Habits as represented by a tree, Habits 1-3 are the roots (what others cannot see) that create the solid foundation needed for healthy branches and leaves (what others can see). Habits 4-6 are all about collaboration and positive interactions with others.
Students will learn about Habit 4 during the month of December, which is “Think Win-Win.” It’s a paradigm shift that will take you from seeing life as competition-driven (I win, you lose) to instead seeing life as cooperation-driven (I win, you win). When people base their self-esteem on comparing themselves to others, or seeing everything as either/or, there isn’t much incentive to get along with others or find agreeable solutions.
Stephen Covey says it best:
“A person or organization that approaches conflicts with a win-win attitude possesses three vital character traits:
1. Integrity: sticking with your true feelings, values, and commitments
2. Maturity: expressing your ideas and feelings with courage and consideration for the ideas and feelings of others
3. Abundance Mentality: believing there is plenty for everyone
Many people think in terms of either/or: either you're nice or you're tough. Win-win requires that you be both. It is a balancing act between courage and consideration. To go for win-win, you not only have to be empathic, but you also have to be confident. You not only have to be considerate and sensitive, you also have to be brave. To do that--to achieve that balance between courage and consideration--is the essence of real maturity and is fundamental to win-win.”
As your child learns more about this Habit, when conflicts or upsets occur at home over winter break, remind your student to Think Win-Win to solve the problem. Consider coaching children by asking how both sides can “win.”
- For younger children, if they are fighting over a toy, this may involve turn-taking or setting a timer where both friends/siblings get their “win.”
- For older children struggling with work completion/study time, this may involve writing a contract for how much time they should study each week, or writing up a daily schedule for when to do chores, homework, and play. If the contract is followed, your “win” as a parent is work completion and academic progress, and the student’s “win” is to have a predictable time they can play or be with friends.
Think Win-Win, and you're on your way to Smooth Sailing!
Beth Mildren
Principal
Riverview Winter Spirit Days …..brought to you by our 5th grade Service Club- December 13-19
Wednesday, Dec. 13-Merry Morning: just wake up and come to school in your pajamas
Thursday, Dec. 14- Holiday Sock Day: Break out those crazy and cozy holiday socks
Friday, Dec. 15- Holiday Colors Day - Wear green and red
Monday, Dec. 18 - Merry Monday - wear anything festive like hats, antlers, ornaments, jewelry, etc.
Tuesday, Dec. 19- Holiday sweaters or shirt day....the tackier, the better!!
**Spirit Days are always optional
On Deck: Upcoming December Events
December 6 - Reading Day - Wear Red Anchor Reading Pins! Enter Nov. minutes HERE.
December 6 - Chipotle PTA Restaurant Fundraiser 4:00-9:00 pm
December 7- Choir Concert- 6:30pm, CafeteriaDecember 11- PTA Board Meeting 6:30- Office Conference Room
December 13- PTA Reflections Contest Submissions Due
December 14 - Choir Breakfast 8:00 am- - East Activity Area
December 15- Winter Classroom Parties- 3:00 pm
December 18- Spelling Bee 9:15 am, Gym
December 19- 1/2 Day of School - dismissal 12:05, NO LUNCH served at school. All Going Home Changes need to sent to child's teacher, not the office. - end of 2nd Quarter
December 20 - January 3- Winter break; NO SCHOOL for students
Riverview Reading Program 2017-2018
Anchored Into Reading!
The next PTA Reading Recognition Day is December 6th, so please enter your children's minutes as soon as possible. Both our teachers and PTA want to make sure that your child is recognized for his/her reading efforts!
In order to enter your student’s November reading minutes click HERE. It is an easy process, but if you get lost, the Reading Minutes button is located under the Projects tab on the PTA Website. If you have any challenges or questions, please do not hesitate to ask your child's classroom teacher for assistance.
Season's Greetings Cards
Thank you for helping carrying on this school tradition!
USD 232 Job Postings
USD 232 is seeking dedicated individuals for the position
of Paraprofessionals at the following locations:
· De Soto High School
· Horizon Elementary School
· Mill Creek Middle School
· Monticello Trails Middle School
· Starside Elementary School
Starting rate of $12.25/hour
Apply online HERE
December Staff Appreciation
Help us spread some holiday cheer to our teachers, staff, bus drivers and crossing guard! Please donate a $5-$10 gift card to anyplace you would like (QT, Casey's, Chipotle, McDonald's, Starbucks, Walmart, Target, Subway, Goodcents, Pizza Shoppe, Pizza West, Panera, Amazon, etc!)
Please send the gift cards into the office addressed to Staff Appreciation. We will have drawings based on trivia questions for the staff the weeks of Dec. 11 and Dec. 18 so send them in anytime. We would like to make sure that each staff member receives a little something from their RE family!
November Mitten Drive Collection:
Thank you for the awesome support of Putting First Things First for the November PTA Caring and Sharing Drive! Donations were up 20% from last year thanks to your generosity.
The school collected new items...
243 pairs of mittens/gloves
90 hats
7 scarves
14 set of hats/gloves
4 misc items
These items will go to Shawnee Community Service Center.
Also collected many used items...
23 pairs of mittens/gloves
11 hats
2 scarves
These items will go to Big Brothers/Big Sisters - Savers
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