Dear Eisenhower Families,
As we enter into our holiday season, we wish to take a moment to celebrate our successes. We are overjoyed by the amount of growth our students have demonstrated in this first trimester of their academic and social-emotional growth. More importantly, they are learning to be resilient. They are exhibiting outstanding "Growth Mindset" mental attitudes and behaviors. They are learning from their mistakes, while exhibiting grit and persistence. It's okay if we are not where we want to be just yet. It is more important that we do not give up and that we keep pushing ahead to improve our skills. Success is built upon failures. Achievement comes through hard work, practice, and determination. It is within our belief and practices that we teach the children the "Power of Yet". Believing in and encouraging ourselves and others are two of the most powerful tools that we can impart upon the children.
As we move into the colder months, please make sure your child is dressed for the weather. Elementary students have outdoor recess whenever possible. Students perform better when they get outdoors, even if only for a few minutes. We follow the recess guidelines below:
- Outdoor Recess: 10 degrees F and higher (including wind chill)
- Inside Recess: below 10 degrees F (including wind chill)
When the weather turns snowy, students must have boots, gloves and snow pants to play in the snow. Those who don’t must stay on the blacktop area. Parents should assist children in preparing and wearing appropriate clothing for the weather conditions.
Second Step SEL Program
In our bi-monthly newsletter, you'll see summaries and activities for the upcoming weeks' lessons in kindergarten and first grade. The activities below will allow you to reinforce Second Step language, skills, and goals at home. If you have any questions about Second Step Elementary, please don’t hesitate to contact me or your child’s teacher for more information. Thank you for your support as we work to build a safe and supportive school community.
Kindergarten
Lesson 12: Why Kindness?
Summary
In this week’s lesson, your child will learn that kindness is a way to show people that they care and that doing kind acts can make both the giver and the receiver feel good. They’ll share personal examples and discuss how they felt when they gave or received kind acts.
Try This at Home
Help your child think of a kind act they can do for someone and support them in carrying it out. With your child, discuss how they think the receiver of the kind act felt. Ask your child how they felt doing a kind act for someone.
Lesson 13: Showing Kindness
Summary
In this week’s lesson, your child will practice two kind acts: asking, “Would you like to share?” and “Would you like a hug?”
Try This at Home
Encourage your child to offer to share items at home. For example, have them help you make a snack and then offer to share it with other family members. Encourage them to offer hugs to family members or friends when they are tired or sad or need encouragement.
First Grade
Lesson 12: Ways to Be Kind
Summary
In this week’s lesson, your child will learn and practice two ways they can be kind to others: asking, “Are you okay?” and offering to keep someone company.
Try This at Home
Help your child think of a family member or close friend who could use some company. Encourage them to ask the person, “Would you like some company?”
Lesson 13: Offering Kind Acts
Summary
In this week’s lesson, your child will learn and practice two types of kind acts: offering to help someone and inviting someone to join.
Try This at Home
Help your child think of a kind act they can do for someone involving offering to help or inviting them to join. Support your child in carrying out the kind act.
Have a great weekend,
Your Eisenhower Family,
Luke Lambatos, Ed.D., Ed.S.
Principal
Please remember, if you have any
questions or concerns, do not
hesitate to contact me at
(847) 870-5040 or
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Inspiration + Dedication = Growth