The Flores Flyer
November 11, 2019 Volume 2, Issue 3
An Attitude of Gratitude
Dear Davis Ducks,
Thanksgiving will be upon us later this month. It is a day that provides us the opportunity to express thanks and to count our blessings, big or small. Expressing gratitude does not have to be reserved for one day and according to the Children’s Bureau, studies have shown that there are proven benefits to instilling gratitude within our children. Below are some of the benefits of expressing gratitude from various research studies from around the country, followed by some ideas for parents to instill gratitude within your children.
Consistently expressing GRATITUDE has been found to:
- Enhance empathy.
- Improve sleep and physical health.
- Increase self-esteem by reducing social comparisons and improving athletic and social confidence.
- Reduce stress and decrease toxic emotions, such as resentment, anger, envy, persistent sadness, and regret.
- Increase happiness and reduce rates of depression.
There are many benefits to teaching, modeling, and practicing gratitude for children and adults. So how do we, as parents, do that besides enforcing proper manners in our children by saying, “Thank you?”
Below are a list of ideas to try out at home.
Have a Gratitude Jar on the kitchen table. Each night or once a week, every family member jots down something they are thankful for, shares it with the family, and then places it in the jar.
Write letters or thank you cards. I think this is a lost art, but getting a handwritten note can mean so much to the recipient. Possible recipients can include family members, friends, service men/women, and teachers.
Create a gratitude journal as a family or just for your child. Writing down the things we have to be thankful for can be a great resource when times are tough. Add pictures, drawings, or mementos.
Volunteer as a family. Giving your time to help others teaches children perspective and builds empathy. I have taken my daughter, as young as 4, to help pack boxes of canned food and hygiene kits for homeless families. Kids of all ages can get involved and there are many volunteer opportunities around Orange County to help people, animals, or our environment.
Most importantly, model an attitude of gratitude with your own language, actions/reactions, and choices for our children.
No matter how you decide to embed the importance of gratitude within your child, it will help your child grow up to be a well-rounded, empathetic, and caring adult. Thank YOU for your partnership and working hard to raise grateful, empathetic, and kind individuals.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Flores,
Davis Magnet School Principal
#WeNotMe #WePracticeEmpathy #DavisDucksPride
Save the Date! Dr. Weichman is Returning to Davis Magnet School
"UnSelfie" Parent Book Club
We've had two UnSelfie Parent book club meetings and each time parents have walked away with ideas and resources. It's never too late to join, all parents are welcome, and Spanish translation is provided. The next in-person book club is Friday, November 22. We will discuss Chapter 3, "Empathetic Kids Understand the Needs of Others." The third empathy habit covered in this book is all about instilling perspective taking so children can step into others' shoes to understand another's feelings, thoughts and views.
This is a perfect chapter leading into the holidays. If you would like to gain ideas about instilling perspective taking within your child, please RSVP here to attend our November 22 meeting at 8:30 a.m. in the MPR. You may also participate through our private parent Facebook group.
Below you will find resources shared through our study of Chapter 2.
Lace up those shoes and Join the Davis Ducks to Run or Walk
Run for a Claus on December 7. Flyer below has more details and you may register here.
Autism Speaks Walk on December 8. Davis Team flyer has more details and you may register here.
Spotlight on Kindergarten!
Each month we shine a special spotlight on one grade level at Davis Magnet School. This month we shine a special spotlight on our kindergartners!
Fall is an exciting time in Kindergarten. During the month of October, students had the opportunity to visit Centennial Farm. They planted radishes, studied the life cycle of a chicken, and learned about various plants and animals. They also participated in their first Art Masters lesson and project based on artist M.C. Escher. On October 31st, students used math, science, and writing skills to record data about pumpkins. Davis Kindergartners were then visited by the Costa Mesa Fire Department and learned about fire safety.Finally, we celebrated being healthy and awesome during our school’s Red Ribbon Week event. Our Kindergartners are continuously making strides in learning phonemic awareness, phonics, and sight words. In math, students are learning about patterns, shapes, counting, and comparing numbers. Davis Kindergartners are off to a great start and are practicing kindness and empathy everyday.
Nutrition Nuggets -"Family, Let’s Eat Together! " by NMUSD Nutritionist, By Eric Wai-Wa Pau
Nowadays, our busy lifestyles have created challenges for us to eat together at the dinner table. However, putting challenges aside, eating together does come with benefits that would pay off big time.
According to a research study published on the Journal of Adolescent Health, eating together at the table provides nutritional benefits that would improve children’s health. These researchers also report that it helps them perform better academically, and prevents them from engaging in risky behaviors. The study’s results also suggested that children and teenagers who eat meals with their families for at least 3 times per week are more likely to adopt healthy eating habits and less likely to become overweight. In contrast, those who missed their family meals three times or more per week are more likely to do drugs and cigarette smoking.
In the end, eating together for at least once a day could induce benefits for children’s mind and body. Not only do we want our kids to become healthy throughout their life, we also want to cherish the bonding opportunities with them.
References:
1. The Benefits of Eating Together for Children and Families: https://www.healthlinkbc.ca/healthy-eating/eating-together
2. Eating Together As A Family Provides Benefits, Studies Say: https://abc7.com/family/eating-together-as-a-family-provides-benefits-for-children/4632284/
The Davis Book Nook
The place to come to find book lists and resources to support your child’s reading comprehension, while also developing empathy for others by diversifying their library and understanding of others.
Excellent article that provides perspective and resources to teach children about Native American History and Experience.
November Reading Challenge for kids, along with ideas for parents to help their kids enjoy reading and continue to turn pages.
Children's books that show kids the goodness in the world.
Do you have some favorite book lists or ‘go-to’ resources to support your child's reading? If so, send them my way to cflores@nmusd.us.
Student Wellness Tip
Davis Magnet School
Instagram @davis_magnet_school
Facebook @facebook.com/DavisMagnetSchoolDucks
Twitter @DavisMagnet
Email: cflores@nmusd.us
Website: http://davismagnet.nmusd.us/
Location: 1050 Arlington Drive, Costa Mesa, CA, USA
Phone: (714)424-7930
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DavisMagnetSchoolDucks/
Twitter: @DavisMagnet
PreK-3rd Grade Breakfast Club
Wednesday, Nov 13, 2019, 07:45 AM
Davis MPR
Parent Meeting for our upcoming School Production of Madagascar
Wednesday, Nov 13, 2019, 06:00 PM
Davis MPR
Grades 4-6 Breakfast Club
Thursday, Nov 14, 2019, 07:45 AM
Davis MPR
Madagascar Auditions
Thursday, Nov 14, 2019, 03:00 PM
Davis MPR
Madagascar Auditions
Friday, Nov 15, 2019, 03:00 PM
Davis MPR
VEX Robotics Team Tournament
Saturday, Nov 16, 2019, 08:00 AM
Orchard Hills School, Culver Drive, Irvine, CA, USA
6th Grade Panoramic Class Picture
Wednesday, Nov 20, 2019, 11:00 AM
Davis Magnet School, Arlington Drive, Costa Mesa, CA, USA
Lunch Art
Wednesday, Nov 20, 2019, 11:30 AM
Davis Magnet School MPR
Shout Out Awards
Thursday, Nov 21, 2019, 08:15 AM
Davis Magnet School, Arlington Drive, Costa Mesa, CA, USA
School Site Council Meeting
Thursday, Nov 21, 2019, 03:30 PM
Davis Magnet School Library
Parent UnSelfie Book Club
If you would like to gain ideas about instilling perspective taking into your child, please RSVP here to attend our November 22 meeting at 8:30 a.m. in the MPR. You may also participate through our private parent Facebook group.