Principal News
We are off to a great start this year! It was fun at Back to School Night to see so many eager faces ready for another school year.
I saw a quote the other day that said, “The starting point of all achievement is desire.” I’m sure you along with our staff here at Farr West want to ensure that each child has every possible advantage learning. Research shows that the best predictor of school success and graduation is consistent attendance. According to Attendance Works (attendanceworks.org), students who miss 9 days or less between during K and 1st grade are 64% more likely to read at grade level in 3rd grade than peers who miss more than 9 days. By 6th grade, students who miss an average of just one day a week are more likely to drop out of high school.
This summer, I decided to look at the absences we had at Farr West for the 2013-2014 school year. With astudent enrollment of 897, our total absences for the year totaled 6,507! I pulled out my calculator and multiplied the number of days X 6.5 hour school day and the total was 42,295.5 missed school hours! When students miss a school day or even a few hours here and there, they miss out on learning. When they return, they have to work harder to catch up because most subject matter builds on previous lessons. It doesn’t take long to fall behind.
This year, our school is Advocating Attendance. Teachers, staff, and administration will be involved in a determined effort to encourage students to be at school each day. We hope to make this a community effort and welcome any input as we strive to educate each and every child.
the Date
Sept 10-23 School Fundraiser
Wed. Sept 10- Community Council @3:30
Fri. Sept 19-Early Out @1:30 for teacher training
Wed. Sept 24th Room Parent Volunteer Social @2pm
Wed. Oct. 1-School Pictures
Wed. Oct 8-Community Council @3:30
Oct. 13-15 Parent Teacher
Conferences
Oct. 16-17 Fall Break
Thur. Oct 23-End of First Term
Fri. Oct. 24-Teacher Training NO SCHOOL
Counselor’s Corner
Dear Parents/Guardians,
I like that greeting, it says it all. Quite a few of our children live with someone besides a parent, but, really, all parents are Guardians too.
In the Medieval times life was physically challenging from a very young age. There were no child protection acts, no parental guidance helps, and children were usually sent away for one training or another to people who weren’t necessarily invested in their care. Thank goodness so much has changed! However, our children still have challenges, though they may not be quite as obvious as child labor or severe physical punishments. Because these challenges, like social awareness or stress management, are often abstract it is more difficult to teach children to be resilient. “We have to see the fire to be able to fight it.” (Unknown)
We have an increased number of college drop-outs, not because the kids aren’t intelligent enough or haven’t accrued enough knowledge, but because they are too often missing the skills to cope with difficult challenges. Here are a few guidelines that may give you some ideas:
You know your child best, but be open to opinions from coaches, leaders, family members and teachers. We are all subjective and may have a few prejudices when evaluating our own child. The more legs on the “chair of support” the more stable the child. The child’s involvement in activities broadens perspective. It helps them to understand a variety of views about their character and personality. It also gives them a selection of “models” to observe and mimic.
Our focus in Character Education this year is “Change your Perspectacles!” The first month we will be learning a lot about having a good sense of humor and trying to rephrase our negative thoughts and words into something positive and encouraging. This is a challenge for all of us sometimes, but here at Farr West we are far exceeding the 4 positives to every 1 correction ratio required to maintain good habits in our behavioral program. Your kids are hearing a lot of great encouragement! We also have support groups starting soon for kids and classes for parents who need some new ideas. As guardians you have the ongoing responsibility to develop a planned and organized support system at home. The professionals at our school will willingly share their expertise to help your child succeed. Please ask if you need assistance.
Required Traits for Resiliency: High Expectations; Opportunities to Participate; Caring; Supportive Relationships in Family/School/Community.
Winston Churchill said: “Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.”
Sincerely, Talana W. Fawson, Counselor
PTA NEWS
*Thanks for your amazing support with our Back to School Night! It was fun to see so many of you support our carnival.
*We will have a Room Parent Volunteer Social on Wednesday, September 24th @2:00pm. We will meet first and then the teachers will come and meet with you.
*We are still collecting Box Tops and will have the Box Top Store during the year, but will be held just FOUR times during the year. Dates coming later.
