Caring, Compassion, and Communication

As December gets underway, we begin to have many conversations with students about compassion and caring. The season brings out the best in many, but we recognize the struggle many children (as well as adults) feel at this time of year. During this stressful and busy month, let's all make the time to have conversations with our children about what's really important.

Constant communication with students is one way our teachers, staff, counselors, and I keep in touch with our young ones. Conversations about everything from the new Trolls movie to what's for lunch to appropriate behavior on the playground, in the classroom, and on the bus happen every day.  When students find adults whom they trust, they are better able to ask for help and have their needs addressed.

If I speak to a child about an incident, I typically call parents to make them aware and to set the stage for a follow-up conversation at home. Please remember that children are learning how to conduct themselves within a school setting. When they make mistakes, we bring it to their attention as a teachable moment. We then move on with the hopes that the mistake will be corrected.

I always tell students that tomorrow is a new day, full of new opportunities to make good choices. Conversations with children, as you can imagine, are an important part of a principal's job and in many cases, it's the best part of my day!

Lunchtime cafeteria visits are a quick and easy way to check in with the kids as they munch along, chatting with their friends. 

Growing Our "Grinch" Hearts

At today's Character Education assembly, first and second grade students were recognized for their thankfulness. They were also challenged to work during the month of December to show their caring and compassion. Mrs. Keevil reminded students that being caring and compassionate doesn't have to cost anything. It is more about how to act towards each other. 

Miss Elmer's and Miss Kolis's classes helped with the short presentation built around the famous Dr. Seuss story, "The Grinch Who Stole Christmas".  Several students held up red paper hearts and read descriptions of how they could show caring and compassion. They took their hearts and pinned them to a big cut-out picture of the Grinch. 

Each teacher was given a picture of the Grinch to place on their classroom door. As students earn hearts, the hearts will be placed on the door to help the Grinch's own heart grow. 

Congratulations to our first grade HEDGE award winners (given for thankfulness):

Ethan Best, Lilly Bullock, Lennon Breen, Dakota Brown, Joshua Cohon, Isaac Corbacio, Liam Daley, Thomas Duncan, Ireland John, Hannah Licameli, Damien MacIntyre, Ethan Makarchuk, Audriana Moscibrodzki, Layla Nuzzo, Noah Offutt, Jimmy Patch, Caleb Pierce, Ben Petrik, Kiley Rivers, Jack Terry, Cameron Testa, Brady Vanderpool, Parker Vienne, Rick Vogt, Leah Voutsinas, Jayden Watson

Congratulations to our second grade HEDGE award winners (given for thankfulness):

Sarah Abumustafa, Jad Abdelqader, Olivia Astafan, Nikki Betts, Aidan Bosak, Liam Breen, Dominic Cieri, Sophie Castello, Lincoln Christopher, Chase Denman, Kendra Dudman, Gabriella Graham, Veronica Grobsmith, Frank Groth, Abbey Jacuk, Brody Knox, Avery Mathewson, Julia Nicolucci, Finley Prior, Ellison Schad, Abbey Smith, Lucas Strain, Madison Szabo, Rosemary Vrabel, Payton Wagner, Jack Werbeck

Please Support Our PTA's Giving Tree

You may have noticed the festive tree in our lobby. It is part of our PTA's annual Giving Tree program. Each year as the holidays get underway, the Stonehedge community turns its heart and thoughts toward others. The PTA's Annual Giving Tree drive is underway and collecting holiday gifts for families in need at Stonehedge. In an effort to meet the specific needs of these children, we are asking families of students in kindergarten, first, and second grade to please consider donating cash or Target gift cards. Please use the special collection envelope that came home with your child to return your donation to your child's teacher. Even a small donation can make a big difference to a child.The Giving Tree runs now through December 9. 

  

Important Upcoming Dates:

December 9: Giving Tree Drive ends

December 12: Holiday Concert (Grades 4 and 5), WGHS at 7 p.m. 

Monday, December 26-Monday, January 2: No School, Holiday Recess

~Yours,

Lori