The Falcon Focus
March 2024, Issue 7
Growth Mindset Quote of the Month
“Challenges are what make life interesting. Overcoming them is what makes life meaningful.” – Joshua J. Marine
Update from Mrs. Beach, Assistant Principal
Forest Avenue Families:
It is hard to believe that March is already here. It won’t be long before the warm weather is here as well! Our spring parent-teacher conferences are scheduled at the end of the month. Conference sign-ups will be launched on the 11th. Conferences present a great opportunity to discuss your child’s progress in school. As you are aware, home-to-school communication is an important factor in your child’s success in school.
During conferences, our educators are often asked, “What do you think I can do at home to help my child be more successful at school?” My answer is very simple, “Read with your child every day. Let them see you read.” Before, during, and after the reading, encourage your child, begin a discussion about the story, ask questions, visualize the story, offer information, share personal thoughts, and connect the story to real-life situations. Make the time an enjoyable experience and let your child see that reading is fun. Celebrate this special time together!
Finally, know that you do not have to wait for a conference to call if you have questions, concerns, or needs. We are here to serve your children and your families. Please contact your child’s teacher, the office staff, or Dave and/or I if you want to set up a meeting to discuss any issues that arise.
On the 19th, we will be holding our next school-wide assembly to launch the Leaves of Citizenship character trait of, “Shows Respect.” Our HHS Drama Department has planned a school-wide show to demonstrate our definition of, “shows respect”: I will treat others the way I want to be treated. I will deal peacefully with anger, insults, and disagreements. We then look forward to recognizing our students when they are showing respect within our school community.
Lastly, I am happy to share that Dave is doing well and on the mend! We all miss him and are looking forward to welcoming him back to Forest Avenue!
As always, THANK YOU for being our partners in this important work helping your child enjoy learning and prepare for a bright future!
Sincerely,
Lara Beach
Assistant Principal
Forest Avenue School
See Something, Say Something
Our District has been working with representatives from The Massachusetts Partnership For Youth and Boston Children’s Hospital through a grant to identify ways to anonymously and proactively help any person who may be showing signs of distress. Yard signs with the phrase, “See Something, Say Something” will be strategically placed in front of all of our buildings. There are times when we see a student struggling who needs help. We may notice a student who is posting alarming messages on social media. We may hear about a student who is making threats to a population of people. Maybe a student is being picked on by other students and no one knows this is happening. Perhaps a student is a danger to themselves or others. We invite everyone to be part of the solution to help a student receive support by completing this “See Something, Say Something” anonymous form through a QR code.
When you open the QR code, the anonymous form appears. Please complete the information to the best of your ability. The form will go directly to the principal at each school building. The principal will then reach out to assist the student based on the information received in the form, or open an investigation if needed.
You can add your name and number, if you wish, to assist with getting assistance for the student. This form cannot be traced to your phone or email address if you choose to remain anonymous. Thank you for being a champion for a student in need!
Read Across America Day/Favorite Book Character Day
A Quick Read with Mrs. Leidal, Library Teacher
During National Reading Month, students will be reading award-winning books during library class! We will read books that honor African American and Latino/Latina authors and illustrators. We will also share books that celebrate Asian/Pacific American culture, talk about the disability experience of a child, and discuss authentic Jewish experiences. These books were honored by the American Library Association in January.
Rebellious Read Alouds & Courageous Conversations- Our Families are Important
This month in our pursuit to continue to invite conversations about diversity through children’s books, we are celebrating our disabilities! Through our diverse read alouds, we hope to ignite conversations around how important it is to accept and include others no matter their disability. Our hope is to celebrate various disabilities and raise awareness. Through celebrating disabilities how we can be a more inclusive community!
The books below are a few that will accompany the topic this month:
All the Way to the Top by Annette Bay Pimentel
Awesomely Emma by Amy Webb
I Talk Like a River by Jordan Scott
The following sentence starters can help you generate conversations with your child(ren) at home!
Because I read this book, I now know ___________________________.
Because I read this book, I wonder___________________________.
Because I read this book, I understand___________________________.
See the below infographic below that will be introduced to your children and posted around the school:
Counseling Corner
Emma Duffy M.Ed, Ed.S
Forest Avenue School Psychologist
Maureen Austin, SAC, LMHC
Forest Avenue School Adjustment Counselor
Licensed Mental Health Counselor
Ms. Duffy and Ms. Austin are available to parents and Forest Ave. staff for consultation. Additionally, counseling services are provided in group and individual format. Please reach out to us with any questions.
Check out this free opportunity: Breaking Generational Cycles: Rewriting Parenting Patterns
Put on by Hudson Public School's partner, Cartwheels, this webinar is open and free for parents to join. Cartwheels shares: Inter-generational trauma occurs when the effects of trauma are passed down between generations. As adults, we may unconsciously repeat unhealthy patterns that we witnessed or experienced as children. These patterns may be especially present in our parenting.
How can we stop the transmission of trauma between generations? What can we do to break generational cycles, end unhealthy patterns, and heal, so that we do not repeat these patterns with our children?
Join Cartwheel and Dr. Ann-Louise Lockhart for a discussion on intergenerational trauma and steps that we can take to ensure that we rewrite, rather than repeat, parenting patterns from our past.
Interested in attending? The webinar takes place virtually on Zoom on Thursday, March 7th at 12:00PM. Register HERE!
Link Here: https://cartwheelcare.zoom.us/webinar/register/4117072715901/WN_rDVBQnoySOmvH5Hh508gfA#/registration
Home & School Events
See the flyers for upcoming Home & School Events!
March News from the Nurse
The MA department of Public Health requires a physical exam within one year prior to school entrance (kindergarten) and every three to four years after this. In Hudson, we ask for an updated physical for students in grade 4, 7 and 10. If your child has had a recent physical please send in the form, thanks to those who already have.
Our winter walk to school last month was a success! We had the sun out and clear sidewalks. Please stay tuned for our next walk that will be scheduled in the spring.
Christie Vaillancourt RN
cvaillancourt@hudson.k12.ma.us
978-567-6190 ext. 23004
Check in with Chartwell's: Plant Power Month- March
Moving beyond #MeatlessMondays, vegetables and plant-based foods are taking center stage! March is Plant Power month in our cafeterias! Plant Power is a celebration of plant-based fresh, seasonal, and local foods to benefit personal and planet health! Please see below for a variety of recipes students can explore with their families to help incorporate more of these powerful foods into their regular diet.
Forest Avenue School
Email: mjharmon@hudson.k12.ma.us
Website: www.forestave.hudson.k12.ma.us
Location: 136 Forest Avenue, Hudson, MA, USA
Phone: 978-567-6190