Dear McKinley Family,

Welcome back to the Pond!!! As you likely noticed, I am sending this newsletter a tad earlier than usual. Additionally, I “purposefully” kept it short and sweet, so as to not have important details lost amidst a flurry of words.

Family Fun-

In case you missed it in my last newsletter, McKinley School is offering a Connect and Create opportunity for our families. Here are the details:

What: Create a Family Vision Board and/or Rejuvenate with A Beginner’s Breathwork and

Mindfulness Practice being offered by our own Jamie Crow.

When: Date: January 8, 2022 (Saturday)

Time: 10:00 AM

Where: McKinley School (go to the Main Office)

**Please RSVP at:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf9l4CnN8wGtJym533GH_PRlZRsYin-jhs7Pkj2GkLAgUoBYg/viewform?usp=sf_link

**Unfortunately, we will have to cancel if participation is low.**

PurposeFull Practice-

This week we will review all PurposeFull Practices covered thus far; and I will introduce our new PurposeFull Practice: Empathy. I call this one our Super Power Practice, and for good reason. As we delve deeper into this amazing character trait, I hope its value and practice becomes intrinsic to our entire Mallard Family.

Wishing you and yours; a Happy, Healthy, and Blessed New Year.

Warmly and gratefully yours,

Mrs. O (Ormachea)

McKinley School Counselor

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Overview of Resources:

1. Definition of Empathy

2. Links to Parent Resource Letters (English and Spanish) re Empathy

3. Excellent Read Aloud- A Little Spot of Empathy

4. PurposeFull Practices, Review Activity- This would be a great activity for your entire family. This worksheet can help you explore the different practices (Courage, Respect, Responsibility, Gratitude, and Empathy) covered thus far, and reveal strengths and challenges of each family member.

5. Two Guided Dance Videos (Per Science: Dancing + Together = Health and Bonding), and Three Mindful Practices (these are super helpful if you have had a busy or stressful day, but I love doing them anytime).

6. Our McKinley Schoolwide Expectations Chant- I'm going to start handing out Duck Bucks to students who have it memorized.

7. Family Connect and Create- Upcoming events, Ideas, resources, and links.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Xx4r7rEy7X5sattecMeTn0Qii0qBIu1u/view?usp=sharing

*If you like to know the "why" behind the "what"; make sure to check outThe Science of Dancing Together link (middle picture), for more information.