The Triton Tribune Parent Edition
Be Kind ~ Be Awesome ~ Make The Right Choices
Volume 2 ~ Issue 8 ~ September 14, 2020
Amazing Triton Students and Parents and Guardians,
"Most of the important things in the world have been accomplished by people who have kept on trying when there seemed no hope at all." ~Dale Carnegie~
"Don’t worry about failure. Worry about the chances you miss when you don’t even try." ~Sherman Finesilver~
"A person who never made a mistake never tried anything new." ~Albert Einstein~
"Our greatest glory is not in never failing, but in rising every time we fail." ~Confucius~
As we enter mid-September, your child will be getting his or her first progress report. Under normal circumstances, progress report week is a stressful time as you learn to navigate this first "check up" for your child's academic progress. This week has become more complex in the midst of a pandemic. What will hopefully temper that feeling of stress and apprehension is that we are introducing the second Triton Trait of Growth Mindset. A progress report is a one-time snapshot of how your child is progressing academically. The grades on this report is not final. When Stanford professor, Carol Dweck, released her findings about how students think about learning, she was able to capture their attitudes about learning and coined the term "growth mindset" - a belief that intelligence can grow over time with enough effort by providing challenging tasks that allow the brain's plasticity to increase; in turn, higher student achievement was achieved. This is the Power of YET. "I can't solve inequalities YET." "I don't understand YET." "I can't do this YET." When students believe they can improve and get better, they achieve higher. So as September 6 approaches, how can we help our students develop this mindset? This is the work that we will be doing this month. Here is a link to the research of Carol Dweck. What practical applications can you glean from this video that will help you and your child in discussing this upcoming progress report? ELM teachers will also be teaching students this growth mindset. I look forward to hearing stories from you and from teachers about how we are grooming this trait in our students.
Below are information that are significant to Week 6 and beyond.
Lunch Application: September 14
If you qualified for free or reduced lunch last year and have yet to renew your application, please scroll down the newsletter and find the directions on how to apply this year. Even if you don't think you qualify, I encourage you to apply as every year, the income threshold for the application changes annually. The deadline is September 14, 2020.
Free Meal Service for Families with children ages 2 - 18
Starting Tuesday, September 15, any family who live in the community and have children ages 2 - 18 may participate in the lunch distribution. No barcodes needed. Meal service is from 11:00am - 1:00pm.
Coffee With the Principal: September 17 at 10am and 6pm
There will be a Coffee With the Principal the week of progress report. Each TEAM meeting will be able to host 300 attendees. I look forward to seeing you all at either time. Below is the picture of the invitation.
Progress Report #1: September 18
Next week, teachers will be submitting grades for the first grading report. PLEASE DO NOT PANIC. Remember, these progress report grades are ONE snapshot of progress. They are not permanent. Know that I am working with teachers on the grading of work these past four weeks. I know how stressful many of you feel but I want to encourage you to have conversations with your children about grades and how they do not define who they are as individuals. I will be discussing grades in the upcoming Coffee With the Principal. In the meantime, encourage your children to self-advocate by communicating with their teachers.
Below are slides and video information that are pertinent to the week. They appear in this order:
1. This Week's Schedule: 9/8-8//1
2. ASB Officers Election (Students, voting closes at the end of the day on Monday, 9/14)
3. Coffee With the Principal Invitation
4. Understanding the Attendance Policy
5. September Triton Trait: Growth Mindset - The Power of Yet
~Carol Dweck's Growth Mindset Video~Growth Mindset Quotes
~Tritons of the Week Nomination - Kindness
6. Yearbook Submission Request
7. Lunch Distribution Information
8. Patriot Day Video Highlights
9. Attendance Clearance Form
10. ELM Restorative Practice Parent Referral Form
11. Genus Bar Teachers Support Form
12. ELM Technology Support Line
Finally, please refer to the website for updates. We update it on a daily basis.
Let's have a wonderful and safe week!
Mrs. Finley
Voting for each ASB Office will close at the end of the day on Monday, September 14. Click on this link to cast your vote. You are allowed ONE vote only.
Eastlake Middle School
Email: easter.finley@sweetwaterschools.org
Website: elm.sweetwaterschools.org
Location: 900 Duncan Ranch Road, Chula Vista, CA, USA
Phone: 619.591.4000
Twitter: @erfinleysd