The Principal's Corner:
Dear Families,
I hope everyone had an enjoyable break with friends and family and that you are ready to enter 2018! One of my major goals continues to be putting students into situations and environments where they can use 21st century skills as they develop their learning. I did get a clarifying question the other day as to what 21st century skills are. In a nutshell, 21stcentury skills are those skills that students would learn to help them thrive in today or tomorrow's world. Those skills include, but are not limited to, collaboration, digital, literacy, critical thinking, problem-solving, communication, teamwork, empathy, leadership, and being creative.
We’ve been tackling these skills through project based learning, cross-curricular integration, Reaching Higher, Choir, TIES, and our enrichment times throughout the day. We’ve also had a large emphasis from our specials team (PE, Art, Music, and Tech) to focus on the teamwork, communication, and positive life choices aspects as well.
That being said in my mind I always question myself and try to think of ways to ensure that we are hitting every student with every skill, which can be tough within a project or lesson. One area I can see the school growing to address this need is by creating a library of picture books that can be used as read aloud books to address 21st century skills. For example the book “To the Sea” by Cale Atkinson is a great tale about the importance of friendship and working together.
If you or your family has a book that you believe teaches a 21st century skill or a valued community skill and would like to donate the book to this library that would be fantastic. Please feel free to write in the front cover your child’s name and any message they would like the reader of the book to read. Feel free to drop them off in the office!
All the best,
Mr. Moore
Cold Weather Reminders:
I know this year we are starting out with a pretty good cold spell of weather, so just a reminder that if we are at 10 degrees (actual or feels like) and below we have the students stay inside for indoor recess. Therefore if it is 11 degrees (actual or feels like) we will be going outside for recess. To that effect please make sure that students have snow pants, coats, gloves, hats, and boots here at school in the event that we do have outdoor recess.
With the cold temperatures it is also important to remember the drop off policies for the school which include the kiss and go lane being used for families that are dropping off students. Please refrain from using the parking lot to drop kids off, if you are in the parking lot the idea would be that you would get out of the car with your child and walk them into the school. Wednesday and Thursday we had kids running in the parking lot unattended and running in-between cars trying to get into the building.
Drive Way:
As with all roads in Michigan, our driveway can get icy at times and is often pretty slick. We continue to plow and drop salt, but please be cautious of your speed on that road and the conditions. We have had multiple cars slide off the road over the past few days. Thank you to everyone who have stopped to help get some stuck cars out!
MacGregor's Message:
Weekend Survival Kits
It is not too late to participate in the Weekend Survival Kits Supplemental Food Program. The program provides eligible students with several meals and one to two snacks every other weekend throughout the school year. Please remember there is no cost to participate in the program. To learn more, please visit https://goo.gl/XBjqCM.
Coffee Chat with Superintendent MacGregor
Superintendent MacGregor will host his second Coffee Chat of the school year on Thursday, January 18 from 6 to 7 p.m. at Crosswinds Aviation. Crosswinds Aviation is located at 3808 W Grand River Ave, Howell. Attending a Coffee Chat is a great way to hear updates on Howell Public Schools and engage in a meaningful conversation about the district.
Counselor’s Corner
Happy New Year! As we welcomed 2018, many of us probably made New Year’s resolutions. Perhaps we will vow to eat healthier, to exercise more, or to finally clean out that cluttered closet? For children, this time of year can be an excellent time for them to create their own version of New Year’s resolutions - otherwise known as goal setting! The middle of the school year, which happens to fall about the same time as we ring in a new year, is a great time for families to help set and to check in on their children’s goals. Setting academic and personal goals can help motivate, energize, and focus students. Setting realistic goals, and actively working to achieve them, is a skill that can benefit learners throughout their lives. Parents can help… here’s how!
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Pick it! Help children pick a goal that is meaningful by having them consider what their dreams or passions are. Guide your child to think about, “What motivates me? What would inspire me to give my best effort? What achievement would make me feel proud?”
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Map it! After children set a goal, help them map the path from where they are now to where they want to be. Offer the analogy that if you were to drive across the country, you don’t just get in your car and start driving. You get a map, pick a route, and follow it until you arrive at your destination. Likewise, with children, help them create concrete steps and approaches to help them reach their goal.
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Do it! Once children have mapped the path, they start the work of taking action! Focus on the first step, and encourage children to do their best. Remind them that no goal is reached without focused action.
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Own it! As they work towards reaching their goal, help them take responsibility for making it happen. Teach the mantra, “If it’s to be, it’s up to me!” Ask them reflective questions - what’s working? What’s not working? What can you or your family change to help you meet this goal? From there, analyze the map and make change if necessary. Also, help children keep a positive attitude. Remind them that failures, or bumps in the road, can provide us with information to help us succeed. Reinforce the message that we can learn from our mistakes and move on with new, important knowledge.
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Celebrate it! Acknowledgement and celebration are huge parts of achieving goals! Acknowledge every effort and celebrate their mini-successes along the way of achieving a goal. Doing so will build children’s self-confidence and motivation, and it will also show them that perseverance will help with more mini-successes until they reach the goal.
Students become successful when they believe in themselves and in their ability to achieve. Parents are key to helping them believe and succeed! Reach out to your school counselor if you’d like to work on goal-setting together. Let’s all set the goal of having a great 2018! Happy New Year!
Your Partner in Education,
Jennifer Starkey
School Counselor