Sunday, November 10, 2019

November Principal Update


Dear Families,
October was a busy month!  This month's blog highlights the following events and information from the past month.

  • We are deep into the first-year implementation of our new writing program and continue to be impressed with the quality of our student's writing.  We can't wait to share with you at our upcoming winter writing celebration (details to come!).  
  • We are continuing to strengthen our security in regards to building access and have made some additional changes after observing students sign out after the Halloween parade.  Please take a minute to read our updates on building security below.  
  • New FSE website
  • Kindness Week
  • Update from our Counselor
  • Powerful video on pre-teens and social media: a MUST watch
  • EPR (elementary progress report release date)

Building Access During School Events/Dismissals
  • For any events, you will be required to sign in at the office and wear a sticker. If you do not have a visible sticker you will be asked by staff to return to the office to obtain one.
  • Please remember to sign in on our Raptor kiosks and get a sticker if we have already scanned your driver's license this year.  If you have not had us scan your ID yet this year please stop by the front desk to have us get you a sticker.  
  • Also, if you are needing to pick your child up early today please do so by 3pm.  We will not be able to call them down and dismiss during assemblies.  Feel free to call the front office at 303-387-5225 with any questions!
  • If there is a school event please plan to come early to get signed in prior to being able to attend the event.  There WILL be lines so please prepare!
  • Please remember that these policies are in place to keep our kids safe!
FSE NEW Website
Please click HERE to see our new website.
Now you can have Flagstone alerts and information at your fingertips!  With the launch of our new school website (fse.dcsdk12.org), we are now part of the Douglas County School District mobile app. Stay up-to-date on news and events from our school and the school district via the official Douglas County School District mobile app. 

Simply download the DCSD mobile app from the Google Play or Apple App Store, then, find and select our school under “settings.” You will then have up-to-date access to our school’s calendar events, news, and notifications regarding weather delays or closures.  Download the DCSD App today!

Kindness Week
Our 6th-grade Kindness ROCKStars are putting on a school-wide celebration to promote kindness around FSE.  They have decided to celebrate World Kindness Day on November 13th. Please see the below dates for dress-up/celebration information!

Kindness Theme days


    • Tuesday, November 12th: Krazy for Kindness Day
      • Dress in crazy clothes, crazy socks, crazy hair
    • Wednesday, November 13th: Aloha Kindness
      • Dress up for a Hawaiian getaway
    • Thursday, November 14th: Cozy up with Kindness
      • Wear your PJs to school
    • Friday, November 15th: Dress for Kindness
      • Wear the colors pink or red to promote kindness


From the counselor….

Hello, Wonderful FSE Families!

For the month of November, we are focusing on empathy as part of our Second Step curriculum.
Students will work on identifying their own and others’ feelings by noticing someone’s face and
body, along with the situation they are in. They are also working to understand that people may
have different feelings about the same situation. Finally, they are putting their knowledge of
empathy into action by showing compassion for others.
  
As the holiday season approaches, I am also emphasizing the importance of gratitude with our
students. Studies have shown that children who are taught to be grateful receive health and
social benefits such as reduced stress, increased happiness at school, better performance in
school, fewer stomachaches and headaches, improved relationships and reduced materialism.
Being able to put themselves in another person’s shoes allows children to care for and relate to
others. Gratitude shows people that they have benefitted from the kindness of others, and so, in turn,
they are more likely to perform kind acts themselves.

Here are some ways to help your child learn about gratitude:

1) Model gratitude in your daily life. Small examples of everyday thankfulness can make an
impression on your child.
2) Encourage generous acts. Perhaps donating clothes and toys. Explain to them that some
children don’t have toys, food, or clothes. Your child may surprise you with how much they are
willing to give.
3) Say no from time to time. If a child is always able to do or get what they want, they begin to
learn that life is about endless rewards. Thankfulness is all about understanding that life’s rewards
are not something to take for granted.
4) Teach them that things aren’t most important in life. Talk about less tangible things you’re
thankful for, such as family mealtimes, having enough food to eat, or spending time with a friend.
5) Connect the act of giving with the meaning behind it. Whether your child receives a physical
gift or an experiential gift, it’s important to help him or her understand the kind thought behind it.  
6) Ask for help around the house. Whether it’s putting away their toys or helping you to mix
ingredients in the kitchen, age-appropriate chores can help children develop a sense of thankfulness.

In gratitude,

Patti Roberts
(303) 387-5243
Follow me on Twitter @MsPattiFSE



EPR Release - Saturday, Dec. 21 at 8 a.m.
Families can access all released student EPRs for 1st semester via the EngagED Parent Portal (engaged.dcsdk12.org) on Saturday, Dec. 21 at 8 a.m. Please take a minute to read over these progress reports, our teachers spend a lot of time communicating on student progress monthly and this on one of the opportunities to understand where your children are performing. If you need help getting in your portal account please do so PRIOR to winter break since our office will be closed.


Social Media and Our Pre-Teens and Teens
During my 25 years as an educator and 15 years as a principal, I have never seen an impact on
students as profoundly negative as that of social media, texting, and access to the internet. Our
pre-teen and teenage students are too young to understand how to navigate the power that these
applications and smartphones have and, therefore, get in trouble, trouble that can have a life long
impact. Please take a few minutes to watch the below link to understand the impact of cell phones
on our students.
LINK HERE


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