Falcon News
May 2019
Principal News
In our final month of school, I continue to think about how grateful I am to be a part of this community. Our Bingo Night was a jam packed success. Our PTA is strong and growing as they plan our fall carnival. They, along with the help of many parents, supported our staff by hosting multiple appreciation offerings. Our student academic growth data, shows that we outperform most other schools in Idaho. We even found this year that, out of those students who have been here since Kindergarten, 67% qualified for acceleration in math when they move on to Jr. High! We have an outstanding and caring staff that is focused on emotional and academic growth. As I said, I am extremely thankful to be a part of this place.
Our focus with Mindfullness will continue next year. Stopping to live in the moment and learning to understand that we are truly in control of our emotions and self talk will be the focus. This program will be paired with our Toolbox: Self-regulation program which gives students tools to work through personal challenges. These programs will be paired with our research based Love and Logic, Positive Behaviors Incentives and Supports and our Character Education program to help students understand cultural norms for healthy living and restitution when they break rules. Teaching citizenship is not an easy task!
This is the last “Love and Logic” article that I will be submitting for the year.
Is it possible that some degree of sibling rivalry is normal… and can actually provide opportunities for our kids to learn essential lifelong relational skills? Absolutely! But only as long as we have common-sense skills for ensuring that these conflicts don’t grow into chronic resentment, feelings of victimization, and constant family chaos. While the subject can be a complex one, here are four tips that can help keep the family atmosphere healthy:
Nurture each of your children’s unique strengths and gifts.
When children are noticed and appreciated for their unique interests and aptitudes, they are less likely to perceive that their parents have “favorite” children. Of course, favoritism is the kiss of death when it comes to sibling relationships.
Provide strong and loving leadership.
Love and Logic is all about helping parents become… and remain… loving and strong authority figures. Much of this is achieved by providing consistent and enforceable limits. When kids feel a lack of such leadership, they experience anxiety and subconsciously wonder, “Well… if our parents aren’t running this home, I better.” Chaos among siblings ensues as they compete for this leadership position.
Stay out of the middle, while guiding them toward solutions.
Most of us struggle with the temptation to rescue our kids from each other by placing ourselves in the middle of their conflicts. When we succumb to doing so, we send an unhealthy message: “If you want some attention, all you have to do is start a fight with your brother or sister. Then I’ll swoop in to the rescue.”
Use the “Energy Drain” technique to keep it their problem rather than yours.
We’ve received story after story of how parents have informed their children that bickering and arguing drains their parental energy. Of course, when this happens, kids are expected to replace this energy by completing extra chores, staying home from an activity so that their parents can rest instead of drive, etc.
While we can’t ensure that our kids always love and appreciate each other, we can create a home where it’s always in their best interest to work hard at doing so.
Parenting is by far the most challenging endeavor that I have ever taken on and my heart goes out to you as you are in the thick of it all. Please do not hesitate to talk with me if you have any questions or concerns about Jefferson. Thanks again and again for all your support.
Upcoming Calendar Events starting this week
Field Day Volunteers needed
If you can help, please print and return this volunteer form to your students teacher or the office. We can then make sure to coordinate and have a great time with the students.
All School BBQ - Parents Welcome
Also note on this day grades 4-6 will be having an awards ceremony that you can join and combine your visit that day.
Lost and found
As the year comes to a close, we will be donating all items at the end of the school year.
Update Information
Contact the school with the updated information and we can help coordinate any changes. Double check to see if bus or walking zone or even a different district. We can help, just give us a call with the new address and we will go from there.
Schools are right now working on enrollments for next year so we want to make sure your students get a spot and ready to go for August 2019.