Cooper Mountain Newsletter
April 5, 2018
Dear Cooper Mountain Families,
I hope that you were able to enjoy some time with your children, whether you had to work or were able to take some time off. We are so glad to be back together as a school community again!
After every break, we take the time to rebuild community and to review expectations and procedures. One of our common practices is to review routines because routines provide safety and order for children. As we venture into the last twelve weeks of school, we know that there will be special events that create disruptions to learning, so we will pay special attention to routines that maintain normalcy. You know that routines are just as important at home as they are here at school. Review these benefits as listed in Aha Parenting magazine:
1. Routines eliminate power struggles
Routines eliminate power struggles because you aren't bossing the child around. This activity (brushing teeth, eating dinner, homework) is just what we do at this time of day. The parent stops being the bad guy, and nagging is greatly reduced.
2. Routines help kids cooperate
Routines help kids cooperate by reducing stress and anxiety for everyone. We all know what comes next, we get fair warning for transitions, and no one feels pushed around or like parents are being arbitrary.
3. Routines help kids learn to take charge of their own activities
Over time, kids learn to pack their backpacks, remember their homework, without constant reminders. Kids love being in charge of themselves. This feeling increases their sense of mastery and competence. Kids who feel more independent and in charge of themselves have less need to rebel and be oppositional.
4. Kids learn the concept of "looking forward" to things they enjoy -
- which is an important part of making a happy accommodation with the demands of a schedule. She/He may want to go to the playground now, but he/she can learn that we always go to the playground in the afternoon, and she/he can look forward to it then.
5. Regular routines help kids get on a schedule
Regular routines help kids get on a schedule, so that they fall asleep more easily at night.
6. Routines help parents build in those precious connection moments
We all know that we need to connect with our children every day, but when our focus is on moving kids through the schedule to get them to bed, we miss out on opportunities to connect. If we build little connection rituals into our routine, they become habit. (Build purposeful time into reading together each night - yes, even in fifth grade! - Kristin's note)
7. Schedules help parents maintain consistency in expectations
...With a routine, parents are more likely to stick to healthy expectations for everyone in the family, because that's the way things are done in your household. The result: a family with healthy habits where everything runs more smoothly!
Upcoming Events and Announcements
Cooper Mountain Volunteers Have Heart!
Kindergarten 11:15
1st Grade: 10:50
2nd Grade: 12:20
3rd Grade 11:40
4th Grade 12:40
5th Grade 12:00
This celebration is intended for adults only. We hope you can join us!
HAPPENINGS IN APRIL
Thursday, April 5 STEAM Fair 5:30-7:30 (6:00-7:30 for grade 4 classroom displays)
Wednesday, April 11: Volunteer Lunch *see schedule above
Wednesday, April 11: Early Release
Thursday, April 12: First Grade Music Performance, The Sound of Music! 6:00-6:30. Students should arrive at 5:45
Friday, April 13: GRADING DAY - No School for Students
Thursday, April 19: Kindergarten Orientation 5:45-7:00
Tuesday, April 24: PTO Meeting 7:00 - Come and join us!
April 25: Administrator Professionals Day (Our Amazing Secretaries!)
Many Thanks
Smarter Balanced Achievement Testing
Local Option Levy
Playgrounds and Parking Lots
Playground:
Many of you stay on the playground with your children at the end of the school day. Please be aware that we do not allow students to climb up the slides or jump off of the slides or swings due to the safety risks involved. I hope you can respect that rule after school as well - otherwise it can be confusing to children.
Dogs:
Dogs are actually prohibited from all school grounds across the district. Please do not bring your dog to school during arrival or dismissal when children are present. We appreciate it!
Parking Lot:
During rainy weather, we get a lot of car traffic and because we are all trying to be safe, driving is very slow. Just remember to leave home a few minutes earlier than you think you need to so that your child can arrive on time. Students should be in their classrooms by 8:30.
Please also remember that if your child needs any kind of assistance getting out or in your car, you need to park your car and walk him/her to the building. Parents who are following this parking lot procedure get frustrated when they have to wait for others who don't. There is always parking available in the lower lot. If you have to park, drive in the left lane of the entrance so that you don't block those who drive up to the drop off area.
Thank you so much. If you have questions about these procedures, please call the office!