Sequoia Elementary Newsletter
School News and Updates
Principal Message
Dear Sequoia Families,
I don't know about you, but these distance learning days have been a mixed bag for my family! I find with my own children that some days feel manageable and fruitful, and other days I wonder what they did all day. Their motivation or excitement for "distance learning" ebbs and flows. Some days are full of learning of all kinds and other days the distractions of home and work fill our time. Also, we are still trying to find a rhythm and routine that works for us everyday. Some days the mornings are productive, some days the afternoons, and some days it feels like no time at all. I am learning to say to myself, IT. IS. OK.
Here are a few things I am trying to focus on as I parent through distance learning...
- I am not going to feel guilty about how much my children are learning each day. Some days are better than others. I will focus on the good days and do the best I can with the others. Have we grown together (not apart) during this day? Great. That's the goal, always.
- When I am with my kids during learning time, I am trying to put everything else away. No phones, no computers, etc. I find myself most frustrated when I am trying to do too many things at one time - teach, work, parent. But short bursts of focused time on them seems to be helping meet their needs and keeps my time with them positive. Sometimes those short bursts are 15 minutes, sometimes it's 45 minutes. IT IS OK.
- I am trying to say yes to the things that just don't matter that much to me. I feel like I have to say no to so many things right now. "No, you can't have a playdate. No, you can't eat ice cream for breakfast. No, it's better if you don't go to the store with me." So, I am trying to say yes to what doesn't matter all that much in the long run. "Yes, let's take a break and go for a walk. Yes, let's bake. Yes, you can do that assignment, not this one." I am finding that when I say yes more often to what they want, they say yes more often to what I need.
- I am trying to remember that my kids cannot focus for a long period of time. Multiply your child's age by 2-5 minutes and that is about the maximum amount of time a child can sustain attention. 7 year old x 2....maybe 14 minutes of focused time. So, now I know. When those 14 minutes are up, can we take a break from technology? Can we do an assignment that is more engaging? Can we turn a game into learning? Can we do nothing at all? IT IS OK.
- I am trying to remember that lot's of things are school. In a 6 hour school day we spend some time sitting at desks learning. We also spend a lot of time on other things like PE, library, science lab, cooperative games, music, recess, and more. School can be all those things at home too.
Does anything work 100% of the time? No, it doesn't. Do the best you can. Remember we did not sign up for this. And keep looking for the good, it's there. IT IS OK.
We are here to support and help. Please reach out to me or your child's teacher if you need anything.
Mrs. Clark
RVUSD Tech Hotline Now Available
Please call for tech support: 707-542-7375 ex 1005.
This Week's Scholar Shots!
Mrs. Craig
Mrs. Martling
Mrs. Foss
Mrs. Slay
Mrs. McNeill
Ms. Fogleman
Mrs. Lopez
Mrs. Slay
Mrs. Nolen
Mrs. LaPlante
Mrs. Slay
PE videos and resources from Mrs. Melton - Sequoia PE Teacher (Week of 4/6/2020)
Activity Explanation: https://www.loom.com/share/31b556a95e1a46d98befebf03c14986b?utm_medium=gif
Dance "Thunder": https://www.loom.com/share/5d164ae954534635b3c451af3f49ef98?utm_medium=gif
Lunch and Breakfast Served Everyday!
Wednesday, Apr 8, 2020, 11:30 AM
Whited and Village Elementary Schools
Sequoia Elementary
Website: http://rvusdca.apptegy.us/o/sequoia
Location: 5305 Dupont Drive, Santa Rosa, CA, USA
Phone: 707-539-3410