Scott Elementary
Mini Pack Update 1/8/2016
Principal's Pen
Dear Scott Family,
It is so exciting to welcome everyone back from their winter break. It has been such a pleasure to see all our student's smiling faces and hear about their wonderful adventures over the holiday.
Over the break, I had the opportunity to read a lot. I came across an article written by Navy SEAL Eric Greitens. He discussed the importance of raising resilient kids that have the capacity to recover quickly from difficulties; mental toughness. This made me reflect on my own children, especially my youngest. He talked about our children being raised in an age of information, an age of harsh criticism, and an age where the world is in constant turmoil. Mental toughness is something I talk a lot about with our students and my own children.
Eric Greitens listed ten tricks that could help children to become stronger, tougher, and more resilient as they head out to face the world that I would like to share with you.
1. Example
Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, "Who you are speaks more loudly to children than anything you say." Actions do, in fact, speak louder than words. When all of us join together to set an example for our children they see what strength, happiness, and quality work ethic means.
2. Take Responsibility
Teaching children early to take responsibility and not pass the blame or make excuses for their actions helps to raise self-awareness, according to Greitens. This is something we are always working on at Scott. We see each discipline situation as a learning opportunity rather than a path that students are on for good.
3. Seek to serve others
Teach your children to serve others. It is important for children to understand that we are privileged to have a home and a family. Teach them that if they serve others, they will find greater happiness. "Children who know that they have something to offer will learn that they can shape the world around them for the better." Greitens emphasizes this important lesson will help our next generation learn to serve others, thus creating a more benevolent world.
4. Practice daily gratitude
Always, always be gracious. When you teach children to practice gratitude daily, you are teaching them humility and consistency.
5. Let others solve their own problems
Teach children to begin solving their own problems. This will ultimately help them become more resourceful and successful.
6. Be a mentor
According to Inc. com. "Sometimes the best thing that can happen is for children to have to live with a mistake they made and the consequences." Without learning to live with their mistakes, children will not develop the tools they need to get themselves out of troubling situations. This is vital to the growth and development of a resilient person.
7. Embrace failure
Sometimes in life, things don't work out. "In failure, children learn how to struggle with adversity and how to confront fear." They absolutely must learn the struggles of adversity so they can overcome these adversities. Without learning how to confront fear, they will never defeat fear. Failures are the building blocks of life.
8. Encourage risk-taking
Don't let children take the easy way out of everything. Teach them to reach for the stars. Greitens strikes this chord by saying, "To be something we never were, we have to do something we've never done." He is absolutely correct. Don't allow children to settle for mediocrity. Encourage them to take risks that may one day pay off.
9. Assert your authority where it's sensible
Teach children to respect authority. Sometimes we need that authoritative figure to lead us through troubles or situations where we truly don't know what to do. If we don't respect authority, we may not look to them for help and may end up in trouble.
10. Express love
Teach children to show love. "Resilient people know that they rely on the love and care of others in their communities." Teach children the value in love and expressions so that they can live a fulfilling life.
Fondly,
Paige and Leanne
SCOTT PTA UPDATES
Teachers Luncheon - HELP NEEDED!
This month's teacher luncheon menu is Breakfast, and the PTA is looking for helping hands and donated items from yogurt to jam - to make this meal extra sweet! Let's show our Scott family of 70+ staff members how much we appreciate them. Thanks in advance, and you can find the details here: https://scottpta.membershiptoolkit.com/teacherluncheonjan
Scott Spirit Nights
Mark your calendar for the remaining Spirit Nights for the school year. More details to come. Be sure to visit the Scott PTA website for more updates.
- January 26: Jersey Mike's Subs (3-9pm)
- February 23: Raising Cane's
- March 22: Mooyah (3-9pm)
- April 27: Chick-fil-A (4-9pm)
GET GROWing
Pick up your produce with you pick up your kiddo. Order fresh goods from GROW and they'll deliver your produce to Scott and save you a trip. learn more about GROW here.
Wanted: Box Tops and Labels for Education
We're far from the end of the month, don't forget to bring in those Box Tops and Labels. Learn more and see which products qualify: Scott Box Tops and Labels
We Need You!
Looking for ways to get more involved? There's a slot for everyone and every busy schedule. Scott PTA Volunteers
Scott Spirit Store
Stay warm with a Scott sweatshirt - new for 2016! Zip up sweatshirts are available in both youth and adult sizes. Get them while they last here!
Link your Kroger and Target Card to Scott
Yes...it's free and it supports our school and students. Find out how to do this.
Stay Connected to Scott
Safety Reminder
Updates and Reminders
Parking on Campus: Please do not park in the fire lanes at anytime including lunch or Celebrate Scott.
Texting/Calls: Please refrain from texting in/around the school. We are responsible for getting 650 students safely to and from school. Please help by keeping your eyes on the road and not looking at your phone.
Bikes on Campus: Parents, please talk to your child about not riding his/her bike or scooter on campus grounds. We also will be talking to all our students. We have had some near misses with student safety because of bike riders nearly running into other students or failing to stop at the crosswalk. Again, your child's safety is always our #1 concern.
All FISD Community Workshops are held at the FISD Administration Building.
February 16: Strategies for Raising a Healthy Child
- 6:00-7:00 pm
Reminders
Elementary students may only bring items for distribution to classmates on the three party days: Winter Party, Valentine’s Day and end of year celebration.
In addition, students issuing invitations to individual birthday parties or other celebrations may only do so at school if all students in the homeroom class are invited. These birthday invitations must be passed out at the end of the day with permission from the teacher.
Scott Elementary School
Website: http://schools.friscoisd.org/ES/scott/site/Home
Location: 10550 Millbend Drive, McKinney, TX, United States
Phone: 469-633-4000