Falcon Press
Jefferson February Newsletter 2019
Principal News
Thank you to all the volunteers that helped make our STEM night a success. From our fantastic staff to employees at BSU and Idaho Power, all were invested in bringing science to life for your children. I hope you enjoyed the evening. Another month has passed and it is hard to believe that Spring is right around the corner! At Jefferson, we are focusing on Positive Attitude, Compassion and Self Esteem. Now is the perfect time to help our children reflect. The information below is taken from “Love and Logic” articles and readings.
Pumping weights, jogging, swimming and other forms of exercise are not much fun when done for the first time. They make us dizzy, cause sweat to drain from our pores and create major soreness the next day. Only when our muscles begin to strengthen do we start to enjoy these activities. Once in the habit, they become enjoyable.
The same goes for being a giver. Many kids need a large amount of gentle, yet firm, prodding to begin the process of cardiac strengthening. They also need someone to show them how it’s done.
This time of year is a great time to place an exclamation point on the importance of continued generosity. The holidays just past, have shown kids what it looks like. Now we can strongly, yet gently, encourage them to do the same:
• Encourage them to donate some of their older toys to charity. • Suggest that they buy a less fortunate child something brand new. • Expect them to give their grandparents, other relatives or neighbors the gift of a shoveled sidewalk, raked yard, a dusted home, a spic and span garage, etc. Doing for others is extremely heart healthy. • Volunteer as a family to feed the shelter. • Show them how to do all of these things with a joyful attitude.
All in all, the best thing we can give our kids is a giver attitude. While it takes plenty of reps, it will eventually build them into people with strong and loving hearts. As Jefferson focuses on Compassion throughout this month, think about what you can to help teach this value to your child.
6th grade--- time to start thinking about registering for South Jr High
February 4th - This week the students will bring home the registration packets PARENTS, PLEASE HELP COMPLETE PACKET. Can send completed packets back to teacher anytime before the 21st.
February 20th - South Jr High Open House .Must go to get more information about electives
February 21st - BRING PACKETS BACK TO SCHOOL DEADLINE. Students will register on computers in class.
For the first time Jefferson Elementary will offer a Full Day Kindergarten option
You must still complete the online registration process and bring your child to the March 7th registration night at your home school.
Check out this link for more details that also include links to a Fact Sheet, Application, and Sliding Scale Application. https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ws2uk0h2gg2m4eo4Sf9uhjytPYiXh89w62VdogolajA/edit?usp=sharing
Remember you must still complete the online registration process and then you can select half day or full day option with the same instructions as listed above for registration information.
Information from our Counselor- Make sure to check out the you-tube video at the end
Social Media and Elementary School Students
It’s okay to say “No”.
Let me reiterate….It is okay to say “No”. Despite what your children are telling you, not ALL kids have phones, not ALL kids have Instagram, Musical.ly, Snapchat, etc. (Especially in the younger grades) It takes a good amount of emotional maturity to handle social media sites. If your tween children are able to display this type of maturity and responsibility in other areas of their life (homework completion, hygiene routine, instrument practice, household chores, etc), they may be ready to handle the responsibility of a phone and social media. Talk with your children about your expectations and make a plan. Most experts agree that prior to age 13, using social media is ill advised .
Follow the rules.
For legal and privacy reasons, children are not to allowed to open online accounts under the age of 13 without verifiable parental consent.
Besides the legal issue, maturity issues are of concern. Children from 7-11 years old still think concretely and haven’t yet developed the ability to consider hypothetical situations. According to Michael Rich, MD, director of the Center on Media and Child Health at Boston Children’s Hospital, “Some kids may be ready to handle social media under the age of 13, but most probably can’t. You are the best judge of your child.” Children who are 13 or older tend to be more developmentally ready to handle social media and will get adult help when something seems inappropriate or overwhelming.
Tell your kids to think before they post.
Remind them that everything can be seen by a vast, invisible audience (otherwise known as friends-of-friends-of-friends). For kids, it's a good idea for parents to have access to what their kids are doing online to be sure that what's being posted is appropriate.
Kindness counts. Lots of sites have anonymous applications such as "bathroom walls" or "honesty boxes" that allow users to tell their friends what they think of them. Rule of thumb: If your kids wouldn't say it to someone's face, they shouldn't post it. Another rule of thumb is to ask themselves, “Would I feel proud if my grandparents saw this?”
Make sure kids set their privacy settings and turn off location.
Privacy settings aren’t foolproof, but they help. Show your children how they work and encourage them to check privacy settings regularly, since sites' policies often change. You do not want your child’s location public, so be sure location is turned off on social media apps and on photos..
Be a “friend” and “follower”. Whether your child has turned 13 or not, it is a good idea to be a “friend” or “follower”. If this creates too much conflict in your family, have a close, trusted adult friend or family member “friend” or “follow” your child. Parents/adults can help children from doing something they will later regret.
It’s okay to say “No”.
I highly recommend watching this internet safety video from Officer Gomez ,SRO West Ada School District and following his advice and tips.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_O0MEyEXPWA
(INFORMATION GATHERED FROM COMMON SENSE MEDIA AND PARENTS MAGAZINE)