The Principal's Corner:
It is crazy to think that the holiday season is already here and in a few short weeks we will be celebrating the coming of 2018. I am always amazed at how fast time goes from the start of school until the holiday break, and in general how quickly students move through elementary school. You can ask any parent of a 5th grader and they will confirm that in fact the time does actually fly and by the time you blink the child you dropped off at Kindergarten, in what seems like yesterday, is in 5th grade getting ready to meet with middle school counselors and plan out their schedule.
As we enter the holiday break, I hope you all get the opportunity to take a step back from the daily grind and truly enjoy some quality family time. I remember when I was in 3rd grade my father bought me a Talkboy (think the toy used in Home Alone 2) it was the coolest toy, used by the coolest kid in movies, and I loved it. I would run around the house recording everything that I said and then play it back so I could laugh at it 45 seconds later, I was an easily amused child. However the best part of that break was when my dad came into the office and we recorded our, what I thought was going to be number one chart topping song, Dinosaur Feet. I remember everything about those 40 minutes with my dad in his office. I remember the horrible ugly Star Wars sweater he had on, and how when he spun around in the black office chair with a goofy look on his face, I absolutely lost it with laughter. I remember the brown fold out couch that I would throw myself into every time he played the song back. I remember trying to hide myself under the Red Wings blanket when he would go to tickle me as if the blanket was going to stop it. But, mostly I remember how in those 40 minutes my dad made me feel as if I was the most important person in the world. It didn’t matter that we had limited Christmas presents that year, or that he had just sold his company. It didn’t matter that my grades weren’t the best, and that I wasn’t sure if I wanted to play hockey anymore. It didn’t matter that the in-laws were coming over, that we had dinner to prepare, or that the house was a mess. What mattered most to me was that my dad found 40 minutes to spend with me doing literally nothing but laughing and singing about Dinosaur Feet. It was a lasting memory that I will carry with me always, I still cannot believe how fresh the memory year some 20 years later.
I hope this holiday break you can find your 40 minutes, you can find some time to put the phones away and disconnect from it all. Who knows maybe in 20 years your child will be sitting at his desk writing a letter about their 2017 holiday break and how their parents created a memory for them that will last their entire lifetime as well.
All the best,
Mr. Moore
MacGregor's Message:
Superintendent’s Coffee Chat Date Change
Due to a scheduling conflict, Superintendent MacGregor has had to change the date of his next Coffee Chat from January 11 to January 18. The chat will be held from 6 to 7 p.m. at Crosswinds Aviation 3808 W. Grand River, Howell. To learn more, please visit https://goo.gl/R4DwJy.
A More Peaceful Holiday Break
Most kids are excited about having time away from school and the freedom to do as they please! What they don't know, however, is that their brain actually craves structure. A predictable schedule and routine (like knowing what is coming next, what is expected of them, and what they need to be aware of) helps kids feel emotionally and physically safe, and will improve behavior at home.
Naturally, school provides this structure for kids. Without school, your child is left without focus and structure and might be zoned out or unable to channel their excess thoughts and energy. Here are 5 quick strategies for providing structure during a traditionally unstructured holiday break:
- Set the stage. You are the role model, so lead by example. If they see you stressed out, they'll feed on that and the tension in the house will explode. If the kids see that you're calm, cool, controlled and reasonably stress-free, their attitude and actions will follow. Like anything, kids take their cues from us so show them that you've got everything under control and they'll follow suit.
- Make a list of activities with your child that he or she would like to do or accomplish during the holiday. Elicit their feedback and ideas. Plan ahead and map it out on a calendar to help your child know what and when things will happen.
- Set a daily schedule. The more input your child has in this process, the higher the likelihood of it being followed. Include daily to-do lists and chores. Schedule time for play, but also for relaxation. Set guidelines for bedtime and wake-up - this consistency is especially important for regulating moods.
- When you have things you just have to get done, try spending some quality time with the kids first, and then do your tasks. For example, if you have to go grocery shopping, take them to a park first…something they like, and something that burns some energy. They will respond better to “Okay, I have to get some things done now,” after they’ve had some quality time.
- Let loose and connect! Give their new video game a try and watch them laugh at you as you lose. Sit down and actually play that board game Santa brought for Christmas. Regardless of their age, whether they are 5 or 15, they are more likely to honor your parenting motives if you show some sort of interest in their activities.
We wish you a wonderful holiday season, and encourage you to “enjoy the little things in life, for one day, you’ll look back and realize they were the big things.”
In partnership,
Jennifer Starkey, LPC
School Counselor