Amazing Falcon Families,
"What we are teaches the child more than what we say, so we must be what we want our children to become." ~Joseph Chilton Pearce~
Families, I hope that you and your loved ones remained safe today. While I was in an area where we did not experience issues associated with Tropical Storm Hilary, many of you may have something devastating. So I pray that all is well. Per Dr. Aguirre's memo at approximately 2:00pm, school will be open tomorrow. Please check your email for his memo. See you tomorrow, Falcons!
For many students and their parents, that first progress report of the year is probably one of the most jarring moments for them as they try to navigate the emotions that they face from their point of views. Brene Brown, author of Daring Greatly, writes about this concept of Wholehearted Parenting. She states that we live in a "never enough" culture that draws us compare our students against each other or even our own achievements as children. In her research on vulnerability and shame, participants talked about being parented and parenting through the lens of "worthiness, - of being enough." And it begins in the familial environment, which sets us on a course that will do one of two things: 1) fight to reclaim our self-worth or 2) give hope, courage and resilience for our journey. One of the measures of self-worth that we are judged by is academic success. I know this as a Filipino child and as a Filipino parent. As a parent, I have been guilty of pushing my own children to the levels of success that I have arbitrarily embraced and passed on to them, and I see some of the long-term effects it has on them. Brown says this, "Instead, we should love and accept our children for who they are, which means our job is to love and accept who we are, especially as parents." This is the model that creates courageous children. If we want our children to dare greatly in this "never enough" culture, we cannot use fear, shame, blame and judgment in our own lives as this is the antithesis to raising courageous children. We want children observing parents who want them to: "1) engage with the world from a place of worthiness; 2) embrace their vulnerabilities and imperfections; 3) value hard work, perseverance and respect; 4) have the courage to be imperfect, vulnerable and creative; 5) do not fear feeling ashamed or unlovable if they are different or if they are struggling; and 6) move through the world with courage and a resilient spirit." As September 1 approaches, I want each family to consider how to approach the conversation regarding the progress reports using these observations as the foundation for the conversation.
Unsafe Behavior During Lunch last Friday
Every day at nutrition break and lunch, I go on the intercom and say, "Falcons, let have a clean and safe campus today." Last week, during each lunch period, students have kept the promise of a clean campus. However, on Friday lunch, the majority of students made our campus feel unsafe by running in large groups to the back area where few of you pretended to start a fight for the purpose of causing temporary chaos. And while there was no fight that ensued, many of you wanted to continue this behavior by encouraging those who had alleged "beef" with each other to have confrontation, which was followed by continued running in large groups to watch it play it out. The same individuals tried to carry this on after school as students walked to the deli. And while school ended without any serious incidents, running in large groups to witness something bad is NOT SAFE. It is not acceptable for anyone to behave in this manner and if continued, appropriate consequences will be given, including having sit down lunches on Fridays. You are better than this. We will watch carefully this week to see if students continue this behavior. Parents, please have a conversation with your children regarding this unsafe behavior. Thank you for your support in this matter.
Picture Day is August 22-23, 2023
Students, next week is picture week. Your face MUST BE VISIBLE on your ID. No coverings, including masks for COVID, are allowed. Parents, if you want to order pictures, please read information below title Picture Day. Click HERE to access the website where you can order your picture packets.
First ASB Spirit Weekis HERE!
Students, Barbie Spirit Week is invading HTM the week of August 21-25, 2023. I look forward to seeing you in the different Barbie categories for each day. Let's have tons of participation. Read the flyer in the ASB section below.
Welcome Back Pep Rally and Dance is this Friday, August 25, 2023
Falcons, wear your Falcon gear or something blue for the pep rally and then wear your Barbie formal for the Friday Dance. Dance Tickets will be sold during lunch this whole week. Dance entrance will require the wristband that you will get when you pay for your tickets.
Two Coffee with the Principal Meetings: August 31 and September 1, 2023
Parents, I will be hosting two Coffee with the Principals at Progress Report Time in two weeks.
On Thursday, August 31, 2023, we are partnering up with the US Attorney's Office to present you with a workshop on Juvenile Smuggling. This is something that is becoming more common in our community. We need to arm ourselves with information so that we know how to recognize the signs as we continue to be vigilant in keeping our children safe.
On Friday, September 1,, 2023 (morning meeting), I will be discussing progress reports and academic success. This will help you in your ongoing support of your children's academic success.
I hope to see you at both meetings.
Spring 2023 Academic Celebration on August 28, 2023
Eighth grade families, we will be honoring all students who received at 3.5 GPA in scholarship on Monday, August 28, 2023. Additionally, we will be celebrating all 7th graders who maintained a 3.75 scholarship GPA all year. These are our potential Presidential Scholars at promotion. You will receive an email invitation this week. The celebration will start promptly at 9:00am.
Progress Report 1 is on September 1, 2023
Falcon Families, the first progress report is almost here. This means teachers will submit grades on Wednesday, August 30. If your child is not doing well academically, please have them attend Falcon Scholars to catch up and also Saturday Academy.
Athletics Tryout Continues this Week
Fall Sports Tryouts are this week. Please see flyer in Falcon Flight section. Remember, you have to complete the athletic clearance process to tryout AND you must be enrolled in Falcon Flight, which takes several days to complete. Team lists will be released on Friday, August 25, 2023. Please email Ms. Pulido at jessica.pulido@sweetwaterschools.org or Mr. Horton at joshua.horton@sweetwaterschools.org
Finally, below are important information regarding HTM. Please read the information on the images provided so that you know as much information as possible.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Finley
