Hornet Herald
The PRINCIPAL'S NEWSLETTER: A Dive into the Hive
Mental Health Awareness Month
The month of May was declared Mental Health Awareness month by the Mental Health America organization in 1949. Although the understanding of mental health has increased exponentially, there continues to be a disconnect among some facets of society. Time and again, the focus on mental health issues is typically associated with adults, overlooking children who are often bystanders of trauma. It is often stated that children are resilient– they bounce back easily and quickly forget. Although outwardly children appear to adapt to change in record time, their internal dialogue may cause more harm if left alone.
When I began in the education field in 1989, there wasn't much mention of social-emotional learning, especially within the realms of the classroom. Yes, we spoke of character traits, and the school counselors did their best to promote them, but our level of understanding of how trauma can affect learning was almost non-existent. I am grateful that education is ongoing, and as we know more, we strive to do better.
The five components of Social-Emotional Learning are self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making. The time invested in these five areas helps children build a more positive attitude toward themselves, others, and tasks. The development of self-efficacy– an individual's belief that he or she can succeed– is just as important as eating a healthy diet and exercising regularly. When children can develop genuine confidence, they are more likely to persevere when encountering a difficult task or situation. The easy route is to give up, and when surrounded by seemingly insurmountable challenges, the last thing we want is for our children to give up.
When COVID-19 caused us to stand up and take notice, I began worrying about the repercussions our students would face in time. Between the sensational news stories and the lack of knowledge doctors had on this virus, COVID-19 brought an unwelcomed fear into our world. The closing of schools and all after-school activities for the long haul were unfamiliar to us adults, let alone our children. And once schools reopened, the set of protocols enacted restricted humans from a vital aspect of our human need– socialization. Sure, within a few weeks, students adapted to the changes, and learning kept going. Laughter still resonated in the hallways, and students were happy to be back at school.
For many students, adaptation–although challenging– is achievable. But is everyone smiling beneath their face coverings? The only way to know for sure is to provide our children with the tools and words to seek help when needed. As educators, we use great mentor texts to help children deal with fear, loss, and bullying. Our morning meetings are a time students can build relationships and see the value in themselves and others. We promote kindness and acts of kindness to find a purpose bigger than ourselves and know the value of intrinsic over extrinsic motivation, which relies on what I can get rather than the release of dopamine that promotes happiness.
As parents, you are your child's first teacher. It is essential to maintain honest, ongoing communication, and quite often, it takes time to create this dynamic. The investment is well worth the time. As principal, I want every student to know these three truths:
1. YOU have value.
2. YOU have a purpose.
3. And, in YOU, there are talents and abilities that will make a positive impact on the world.
It is vital to create a strong partnership between home and school. No one can do it alone, but together, we can be the change that our children deserve. Will you join me in helping our students grow mentally and emotionally?
May is Better Speech and Hearing Month
In celebration of Better Speech and Hearing month, Mrs. Richards wanted to share some quick questions and activities that all students could do at home. Please download the pdf file below.
May Calendar
Monday - Friday, May 3rd – 7th – Staff Appreciation Week
Thursday, May 6th – Odyssey of the Mind [Lollipop & Chip sale]
Friday, May 7th – Remote Learning Day [school closed for in-person learning]
Tuesday, May 18th – End of Grade Testing [ELA 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade]
Wednesday, May 19th – End of Grade Testing [Science 5th grade]
Thursday, May 20th – End of Grade Testing [MATH 3rd, 4th, & 5th grade]
Tuesday, May 25th – RTA [Read to Achieve] for select 3rd-grade students
Thursday, May 27th – Fifth Grade Moving Up Ceremony
Friday, May 28th – Last Day of School for Students [Dismissal at 1:30 pm] Reports go home
Tuesday, June 1st – Friday, June 4th [MATH & Science EOG retakes]