Friday Focus
October 25, 2019
From Mrs. Barry:
This week, I was reminded of the power of questions. I was reviewing notes from a presentation I attended last year. The speaker, Alan November, stated, “The most important skill is knowing how to ask the most interesting questions.” This reminded me of a post I saw on Twitter (from Andre Sasser): “Two years ago, I was saying [to my students] "Do you have any questions?" Last year, I switched to "What questions do you have?" It made a difference. Today, I tried "Ask me two questions." And they did! And those questions led to more
questions. It amazes me that the littlest things have such a big impact.”
I thought about this from both an educator perspective and a parent perspective. I think you all know that my daughter, Alyssa, is a junior at A&M. She has been struggling in an accounting class she is taking. This weekend, I tried changing my questioning style with her. Since the semester started, I've asked her the usual "How's it going?" "What are you having a hard time with?" "What are you doing to get help?" This time, I asked her, "What questions do you have about what you are doing in accounting?" She paused and looked at me a little funny. She knows that I will wait her out, and that I expect an answer. After a few minutes of thinking, she articulated the concepts with which she was having trouble. This made her really think about what she was learning (or in this case NOT learning). We discussed how she might get her questions answered - what resources were available, etc. Alyssa's attitude went from "I don't get accounting!" to "I need to figure out this one part of accounting" - much more manageable, not as overwhelming! And, more importantly, she took ownership of her learning.
The power of questions!! I will be asking our MWE staff to dig more deeply into this in the coming weeks. I hope you take a chance to reframe your questions to your children. I can attest to the difference it makes!
Welcome home to MWE!
IMPORTANT REMINDER!!!
Welcome, Ms. Lopez!
Red Ribbon Week
THEME: Kindness Makes a Difference, Pass it On
Red Ribbon week is October 28th through November 1st. The focus this year is on kindness, helping others and giving back. With this in mind, we have partnered with the American Heart Association for the Kids Heart Challenge. This event encourages kids to make a difference in the lives of others by raising money for the American Heart Association. Monies raised will help children with heart problems. This is a great opportunity for our Eagles to give back and help those in need.
For each day of the week there will be activities that support our theme of kindness, helping others and giving back. Throughout the week, students will be meeting characters like Nikko and Crush that help promote the challenge.
Parents, please plan ahead to help your child create their Kindness Motto for their t-shirt. T-shirts need to be made at home and worn to school on Friday. This is a great way to repurpose an old t-shirt and create walking kindness billboards all over the school!
Monday, October 28th: Start with Hello: Everyone has a Name
During Community Circle students will share their name and something they know about why they were given that name. (family name etc.) Students will then write their name on the badge that has been provided to them and wear it throughout the day. Everyone is encouraged to greet others by their name when they see them!
Eagles, wear red to kick off the week, wear a smile and say hello.
Tuesday - Kids Heart Challenge Kick Off and Rock Wall Day 1***
Students (K to 5th) will have the opportunity to climb a rock wall and learn what it means to have a Rock Solid Character.
Wednesday – Rock Wall Day 2***! Rock Your Socks Off!
Eagles, wear crazy socks.
Thursday – Crush it with Kindness!
Help others and do a good deed for someone today.
Friday - Nikko Wants to Know What Your Kindness Motto is?
Students and staff are encouraged to create their own kindness t-shirt with positive messages written on the shirt! Use an old t-shirt and get creative!
***Please note that a permission slip is required to climb the rock wall. Parents please sign and return the permission slip by October 28th.
ROCK WALL
Rock Solid Character will be visiting MWE as part of our Red Ribbon Week Celebration. This is a character based education program that utilizes a rock wall to teach kids how to get a GRIP on good character. The program emphasizes the importance of respect, responsibility, honesty, trustworthiness, caring, cooperation, courage and perseverance.
The rock wall will visit the school on Tuesday, October 29th and Wednesday, October 30th.. Parents are invited to come watch their kids climb the rock wall and learn what it means to have a Rock Solid Character. The kids will climb the rock wall during specials with the red and blue groups climbing on Tuesday, October 29th and the yellow and green groups climbing on Wednesday, October 30th . Please see the schedule below.
We need volunteers to help during Rock Wall. Please sign up using the link below. Thanks!
Parent Sneak Peek - Kids Heart Challenge
The American Heart Association’s Kids Heart Challenge program starts next week. This program is a great opportunity for your students to learn, serve and make a difference in fighting our nation’s #1 health crisis – Heart Diseases and stroke.
Here is what you’ll want to know!
o Your kids will learn from 6 Heart Heroes: the importance of Moving More, Adding Color to their plates, staying away from tobacco – and this year Being Ready, Being Kind and Helping Others.
o Your kids will get to raise awareness and funds for the American Heart Association. How? By sharing what they are learning with the people who support them the most – either face-to-face or using technology tools like emails and social media.
o Your kids will earn rewards – the more they do the more they do, the more they will receive.
o Pro-Tip: download the app Kids Heart Challenge, or go to www.heart.org/kidsheartchallenge to sign-up your student for our school and they will receive a wristband with a leadership message on kick-off day! Click here to register your student!!! Any student who signs up and gets at least 1 donation will be entered into a drawing for wireless headphones.
The Kids Heart Challenge SLIME CHALLENGE: Any student who raises $100 will get to slime Coach Hollmann or Coach Carpenter. If we hit our school goal of $6,500 then the Top 10 fundraisers we will get to slime Principal Barry or Asst. Principal Vendetti!
Conversation Prompt: When your kids come home with Kids Heart Challenge letter – ask them which Challenge they want to take (be prepared, be active, be kind) and discus the benefits of each. Also discuss how heart disease and stroke effect your family and how you can work together to prevent it.
Heart Hero Tree: During the Kids Heart Challenge there will be a tree on the wall next to the cafeteria. If you know anyone who has been affected by heart disease, has needed a heart surgery or has any other heart concern please print the attached template or grab a copy from Coach. When your heart is filled out give it back to Coach and all hearts will be displayed to show who our efforts are supporting.
Great News – as of Sept 1st no one will be able to purchase tobacco products until they are 21 years old. This will prevent thousands of high-school students from starting the habit, and curb the high-school and middle-school Juul epidemic that grew 78% last school year. This legislation was sponsored by the American Heart Association with funds raised by this program! Thank you!
Storybook Pumpkin Contest
Thank you to everyone who entered pumpkins! We have some incredibly creative, talented students!! Please stop by the library to see these amazing creations!
Please mark your calendar for these important events!
October 28-November 1
Red Ribbon Week (Please see article above for details!)
Wear red!
October 29
Heart Challenge Kick Off
Rock Wall
5th Grade Picture
October 30
Rock Wall
Storybook Pumpkins Due!
Wear crazy socks!
October 31
Kinder Storybook Parade
November 1
Project Study Applications due
Wear Kindness T-shirt!
November 5
Priority Standards Assessment (Reading) - 3rd, 4th & 5th
November 6
School Store
Hands On Science - 2nd
Garden weeding
November 7
Kinder Field Trip - Dewberry Farms
SWAG Meeting
Student Picture Retakes
CSHAC Meeting
November 9
SBEF Ungala
November 11
Patriotic Sing Along Performance (6 p.m.)
November 12
Classroom Spelling Bees
Student Patriotic Sing Along
November 13
General PTA Meeting
CIT Meeting
November 14
Heart Challenge Celebrations
Hands On Science - 1st
November 15
College T-Shirt day
Lunch with MWE Leaders
Heart Challenge Celebrations
4th grade Field Trip - Taste of Texas
Hands On Science - 5th
November 19
Hands On Science - 3rd
November 20
Garden weeding
November 22
5th grade Colonial Day
November 25 - 29
Thanksgiving Holidays
Counselors Connection
Meadow Wood Student Council News
Lynne Luberger and Pat Waldrop, Professional School Counselors
and Student Council Sponsor
The Student Council helps promote a sense of community and school spirit at Meadow Wood. In addition, the Council plans and assists in the implementation of school wide service projects and supports our character education initiatives.
Serving as a Student Council representative is an honor and a privilege. Student Council representatives have satisfactory grades, follow the school wide expectations, and are seen as positive role models by others.
SC is comprised of 4th and 5th grade students. The 4th graders that served last year will continue as 5th grade representatives. In addition, each 4th and 5th grade homeroom selected two new representatives from the homeroom class.
Student Council representatives are selected through a two-step process involving classmates and teachers. Student input is gathered by having each child complete a character traits rubric. The rubric reflects our school wide expectations. The rubric allows students to identify the people they believe follow the guidelines most of the time. Teachers then review the responses from the class and determine which students’ names appear most frequently. From that list, the teachers make the final decision.
The Student Council representatives for this year are:
- Ms. deLeon’s class: Evan Candler, Isabella Dolan, Juliana Molinas, Joseph Mundwiller, Jackson Berg and Charlotte Rendle
- Ms. Keen’s class: Ella Molly, Isaac Cervantes, Luke Ickes, and Nicholas Massad
- Mr. Garcia’s class: Iness Chaires, Preston Perego, Clare Townsend, Toby Allen, and Omar Juarez
- Ms. Cox – Gianna Patranella and Grant Sakolosky
- Ms. Taylor – Donovan Means and Jacquelyn Gronauer
- Ms. Pena – Claire Barta and Rondo Muon
- Ms. Rapp – Raquel Barnes and Alejandro Molinos
Be watching for more exciting news about the many ways that Student Council contributes to our school and community.
SBEF AUCTION GIFT BASKET DONATIONS NEEDED THIS WEEK!
All SBISD PTA's have been asked to donate a gift basket for the upcoming Spring Branch Education Foundation Auction. Our MWE Basket theme is, "Diva / Princess for the Day!” (dress up clothes, shoes, tiaras, and activities). If you would like to donate $ for this basket, or have new items you’d like to contribute, please contact Kristen.t.carlson@gmail.com
Venmo@Kristen-Carlson-29, or PayPal kristen.t.carlson@gmail.com
ALL Donations are due by Sunday, October 27th! Many thanks in advance for your support of SBEF and MWE!
To register for the gala click: https://sbef.ejoinme.org/Totally80sGala
Box Tops for Education - Fall Deadline approaching soon!
Fall Box Tops are due by November 1st. Please submit any clipped box tops you have by the end of October so they can be turned in by the deadline. Your child can turn these in to their teacher. Also, don't forget to download the Box Tops App if you have not done so yet and start scanning your receipt after each shopping trip.
Accepting Project Study Applications
Do you have a classroom or school need that you would like funding for? Are you a PTA member? Project Study may be able to help you!
If you are interested in submitting a proposal for the committee to review, applications are due November 4th. See the MWE PTA website for details on the program and the application. Hard copies of the application are at the front desk and in the teacher workroom PTA box.