The CPES BobChat
September 11, 2022
What's the Goal for Our Children?
Football is back in season and we love seeing teams take the ball across the goal line for a touchdown. For soccer, it is about the ball going into the net. In volleyball, players are hitting the ball in bounds to score. In every sport, there is a clear goal in mind. As teachers and parents, what is our end goal as we teach our children? I believe the target on the wall is helping our kids become independent. We want them to need us less and become confident in themselves. (As a parent of two adult children, I do find that they will always need us a little.) How can we support them in this process? 1. Encourage them to take appropriate risks. What are they ready to do next? Do they need a little extra encouragement? Do they really need our help with that? Do we allow them to try it themselves? Are our expectations high enough for them? Do we allow them to make their own decisions about the small things today so they can make good decisions about bigger things tomorrow? These are great questions to ask to help them move towards independence. 2. Help them know that failure and mistakes are expected. Few of us get things right the first time. True growth is about learning from what didn't work as much as what did work. Our children need to see how close they came even when they did not hit the mark. Doing their best is the target on the wall. 3. Ask more questions rather than always giving the answers. "What do you think you should do?" "Does that make sense to you?" "Did you talk to the teacher or coach or person in charge?" "Why do you think that happened?" "If the same thing happens again, what could you do differently?" "What do you think you would do if that happened to you?" Obviously, the questions get more complex as our children get older. We want them to develop mental models for solving their own problems as they mature. This helps them know what to do when we are not always nearby. 4. Help them understand and accept the reality of consequences. If we make good choices, there are good results. If we don't, there are painful consequences. As adults, we don't want our children to experience pain, but pain can be a meaningful teacher. For most situations, it is better for our children to learn from short term repercussions today as opposed to life altering effects later. There is a law of natural consequences that has to be obeyed. We want our children to understand that law when they are younger, not older. Our goal as teachers and parents really is to help our little ones grow into independent big ones. That process begins today and how we respond at each age and stage makes all the difference in their development.
Strength and Blessings,
Mr. Maness
The first Parent Teacher Organization Meeting will be 6:30 next Monday, September 19 in the Media Center.
Notes and Reminders
1. MAP Testing--All students in Grades 1-5 will take the Measures of Academic Progress Test this week on the computer. MAP is an achievement test that measures students' knowledge in reading and math. Our children will take it in the fall, winter and spring and helps to track student growth through the year. It is a nationally normed test so student scores are compared to thousands of students who take the test in the US. First graders will have the test read to them. Please be sure your child is on time and present this week so he/she does not have to do makeups and lose instructional time later.
2. Lunch Visits--It has been so good to have you back visiting with us. Please remember that if you are eating outside at our tables, children should not go play on the kindergarten playground during this time. We don't want them to get hurt playing and we want them to enjoy time with you.
3. Second Grade Parent Meetings on Tuesday at 6:00--Please use the Cherry Road entrance and parking lot. If spaces are full, you can park on the right hand side in the car loop. Please leave the left hand side open for traffic. You will walk up to the entrance closest to Cherry Road and walk upstairs.
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School Calendar
September 12-16--Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) Testing for Grades 1-5
September 13--6:00 Second Grade Parent Meeting (In Classrooms)
September 19--6:30 PTO Meeting (Media Center)
Previous Newsletters for 22-23 School Year
"What Do You Do If You Want to Visit for Lunch?" September 4, 2022 https://www.smore.com/2ha8b
"How Was the First Week?" August 21, 2022 https://www.smore.com/t65yv
"What Do We Need to Remember as We Start Back?" August 14, 2022 https://www.smore.com/qjucf
"Open House Reminders" August 11, 2022 https://www.smore.com/35c6a
"Remind Me, Who's New at Cherry Park?" August 7, 2022 https://www.smore.com/b71ef
"Where Are the Pinch Points?" July 31, 2022 https://www.smore.com/csh32
"How Can You Help Us Keep Our Children Safe and Secure?" July 24, 2022 https://www.smore.com/6bweq
"How Can We Get Ready for the Fall?" July 17, 2022 https://www.smore.com/hcp2q"What Do We Need to Know" July 10, 2022 https://www.smore.com/y35p6