Thankful Hearts
October was a fantastic month that we can't help but celebrate! From the delightful school pictures that captured your children's bright smiles to our field trip to the farm, and let's not forget the magical Book Character Parade that brought their favorite stories to life, it was a month brimming with excitement and learning. As we turn the calendar to November, we are eagerly anticipating the upcoming holiday season, filled with joy, festivities, and wonderful moments to share with your children.
Student Pictures
Your child’s images should be available for viewing and purchasing through Emily Hall Photography soon. We will share more information on how to purchase once available!
Weather
Fall has arrived and the weather is changing! Please dress your child accordingly with the colder days ahead, as we try to get outside as much as possible. Also, please send in a labeled bag with an extra pair of gloves and hat to leave at school. If you have not already switched your child’s extra change of clothes at school out, please do so soon!
THANK YOU to everyone for closely monitoring your child’s health and for using best judgment on when to keep your child home from school! We greatly appreciate your support in keeping our staff and students healthy! Let’s keep this trend going as we move forward into the winter months.
Thanksgiving Feast
Our annual Thanksgiving Feast will be held on November 17th at 12:00pm. Children will eat a “Thanksgiving meal” together and celebrate all we are thankful for this year. Food sign-ups for volunteers to bring in items for the feast will be posted on your child’s Class Dojo. Tuesday/Thursday students are invited to attend the feast with a parents on this day as well (please bring them with you @12:00). *** We are excited to extend our invite out to families this year to join us!! ***
Upcoming Events
November 10th: Veteran’s Day (School Closed)
November 17th: Thanksgiving Feast 12pm ( Please let you child’s teacher know if you will be taking your child home after this event)
November 21st: Pizza Day (Remember to pack snack)
November 22nd-November 24th: Thanksgiving Break (School Closed)
December 15th: Holiday Party 12pm
December 20th- January 2nd: Winter Holiday (School Closed)
January 3rd: School Reopens from Winter Holiday
Growing Child Newsletter
Please take a moment to read a Newsletters from Growing Child that shares helpful information on parenting tips and encouragement.
THE MANY MEANINGS OF NO
I just remembered a family story. My sister-in-law overheard her young granddaughter asking her mother for a particular privilege. "We'll see," said her mother. Glumly the child turned away. "That means no," she said, with resignation.
Kids and adults alike seem to spend a lot of time interpreting all the messages surrounding the word "No". Said by a weary mother, it may signify that she can't deal with another request at this point, not that the idea itself is unreasonable.
When a distracted father says, No, he may mean that he doesn't want to get involved right now, but go ask your mother - a way of passing the buck.
When another parent says No, it may mean that she is showing the child who is boss, exerting power for the sake of having the power - plus subconsciously enjoying being begged to then yield.
And when a child hears "No", it usually means a frustrating of their impulses and wishes that produces anger. Many parents, I believe, worry about saying no to their children lest this anger from kids mean that parental popularity poll numbers will fall. They seem to think that "No" will convey a meaning of "I don't love you", instead of just meaning No. No should just mean No.
Since No is clearly a powerful word, parents should consider carefully the ways and means of using it.
First and unapologetically, No's are necessary in order to produce children who can respect limits and understand something about how to live in this world. Obviously saying No alone doesn't do all that.
Along with the prohibition must come some information about why it's a No whether the reason is safety, family values and circumstances, developmental stage, or timing. (If there is no reason you can explain easily, then maybe you should consider whether the No is necessary.)
Because that's another thing about No's: such powerful words should be used judiciously and sparingly. I think some kids are quite justified in their frustration, if they are surrounded with No's at every turn. Instead of a shower of No's, parents should consider redirection-"You could throw the ball outside, instead of inside." or "That road is unsafe for riding. How about you stay in the cul-de-sac?"
Parents could turn the question back to the child for reconsideration-"I can't let you eat candy now. Can you think of something else you could choose for snack?"
They could state a contingency-"I'm not free to drive you there now, but if you help me put the laundry away while I finish this email, you can go then."
And even when it's a No, it is a clear, firm limit-"No, I can't let you go to her house today, I'm sorry."
When you do have to say No, be sure that your delivery indicates a solid limit, with a serious though kind face, a calm tone and authoritative body language. Any wishy-washiness on your part gives kids an invitation to wheedle and beg.
But remember - No does not mean I do not love you - it just means No.
As always, thank you for your continued support and for sharing your child with us!
-Rollingwood Academy Administration