Tuesday, January 29, 2019

Other People Matter!

Other People Matter: Supporting Others When They Struggle
This week we take a break from learning about a new character strength and instead return to the Other People Matter mindset, focusing on the element of supporting others when they struggle. We continue to remind students that the reason they are learning to see the different character strengths in themselves and in others is to build positive relationships.

Supporting others when they struggle is a critical piece of being human. There is a Chinese saying that sums this up: "If you want happiness for an hour, take a nap. If you want happiness for a day, go fishing. If you want happiness for a year, inherit a fortune. If you want happiness for a lifetime, help somebody."

At last week's P2 assembly we were fortunate to have Paralympian Jill Walsh speak to the students about perseverance. Ms. Walsh, a form marathon runner, was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2012. She has gone on to become a medalist in the 2016 Paralympics and is currently training for the Paralympic Games in 2020. She was truly inspirational.

Enrichment Day this Saturday!
We have over 200 students enrolled for Enrichment Day this Saturday. REGISTRATION IS NOW CLOSED. The coordinators will work in any forms that are received today into the few classes that are not already full. Class schedules will go home tomorrow. As a reminder, doors will open at 9:00. Please do not arrive much earlier so you are not standing in the cold too long. Kids will be checked in as quickly as possible and escorted to their classes. The designated person can pick up their child at their session 2 classroom at 11:30. Please do not enter the building before 11:30 for pick-up unless your child has to leave early. A HUGE thank you goes out to the coordinators, instructors, parents and other volunteers that help to make Enrichment Day successful!

Education Fair
East Hill's Sixth Annual Education Fair will be held on Tuesday, March 19, 2019 at 6:30. Thank you to the PTA for again providing the display boards for the students. Students can either complete a science project or a reading project. If your child needs any suggestions or any help, please have them come see me regarding the science projects, or Mrs. Holzwarth regarding reading projects. Education Fair applications are due on Thursday, February 7.
2018 Education Fair

2018 Education Fair
Winter Weather and School Attendance
This is the time of year when winter takes a toll on school attendance. Snow and slushy weather can keep parents from getting their children to school. So can the colds, fevers and earaches that often come with the winter months. These absences, even if they are excused, can add up to academic trouble. If it is a snowy or rainy day but school is still open, students miss out on learning if they aren't in class. These absences can result in lower test scores, lower grades, and increased anxiety. There's not much we can do about the weather, but there are steps you can take to keep your child healthy, including:

  • Dress them warmly for the cold weather and make sure they've got gloves and hats.
  • Encourage them to wash their hands regularly, and send them to school with a bottle of hand sanitizer.
  • If your child gets sick, talk to a doctor or the school nurse about whether they should come to school and when it's okay to return. This handout offers some tips about when children are too sick for school.
Above all, let us know how we can help. We want your children and all of our students to succeed. And that means attending school every day possible. 

Upcoming Dates
2/2   Enrichment Day, 9:00 - 11:30
2/5   Rapunzel (K-5)
2/5   PTA Meeting, 6:30, East Hill Library
2/6   Bye, Bye, Birdie! HS Musical Preview for Grades 4 & 5, 9:15
2/14 Valentine's Parties, 2:15
2/18 Winter Break Begins

Enjoy the rest of the week! Stay warm!

- Lisa







Tuesday, January 22, 2019

Prudence

Positivity Project
This week's character strength focus is prudence. Prudent people plan for the future and achieve their goals by making careful everyday choices. People with this strength might be described as practical, judicious, sensible, and careful. To read more about prudence, click here. Third, fourth, and fifth graders were utilizing their character strengths today with a visit from the Merry Go Round Theater, especially the strength of creativity. If you have a child in one of these grade levels, ask him/her to tell you all about it!

Enrichment Day
Enrichment Day is Saturday, 2/2! Please make sure you read through the information carefully and return your choices as soon as possible. Classes are filled on a first come, first served basis and many classes are already full. Thank you to everyone involved in making this such a great event for our students.
File Photo

File Photo
Education Fair
Education Fair packets were sent home with students last week. Thank you to Mrs. Holzwarth for explaining the reading projects to our students! We already have a lot of interest which is awesome. For those students wanting to do a science project, it does need to be a test, versus a model, where students can use the steps of the scientific method to test out a hypothesis. If you have any questions about the Education Fair, please don't hesitate to contact me. Here are just a few pictures from a couple of years ago:


Spring Concert Date Change
The fourth and fifth grade spring concert has been moved. It will now be held on Tuesday, 5/14 in the WGHS Auditorium at 7:00.

Upcoming Dates:
1/28   No School, Professional Development Day
2/2     Enrichment Day, 9:15 to 11:30
2/5     Rapunzel, K-5 Production
2/6     Bye, Bye, Birdie Preview at High School, 4th and 5th Grade
2/7     Education Fair Application Due
2/14   Valentine's Parties

Have a great rest of the week! Stay warm!

- Lisa




Monday, January 14, 2019

Hope and Optimism

Hope and Optimism
This week's character strength focus is hope/optimism. Hope means you expect the best from the future and work to achieve it. "Hope is important because it can make the present moment less difficult to bear. If we believe that tomorrow will be better, we can bear any hardship today." - Thich Nhat Hanh. Students are hopeful and optimistic that it will warm up so they can get outside and play! To read more about hope and optimism from the Positivity Project co-founders, click here.
Students in Mrs. Devereaux's class are hopeful and optimistic
that they will be the next one chosen for the special tent!
Enrichment Day
Enrichment Day will be held on Saturday, February 2nd. Informational packets are going home this Thursday. Classes are filled on a first come, first served basis so please make sure you return the information ASAP! It's always a great time for our students.

Student Council
Fifth grade student council will be meeting again this week. They are helping Mr. Smith, our new yearbook advisor, with suggestions for this year's yearbook. They are also getting ready to work on a community service project. One thing all student council members do throughout the year is lead the individual classrooms in a Fit Friday routine every Friday morning. Here are just a couple of the pictures from last Friday.

Upcoming Dates
1/14   Tonight! PTA Meeting, 6:30, East Hill Library
1/21   No School, Martin Luther King, Jr., Day
1/28   No School, Professional Development Day
2/2     Enrichment Day
2/5     Rapunzel Production, K-5
2/6     Bye, Bye, Birdie Preview, Grades 4 & 5

Have a great rest of the week! I hope to see some of you tonight at the PTA Meeting!

- Lisa

Tuesday, January 8, 2019

Happy New Year!

Welcome Back!
I hope your holidays were both happy and restful! We are right back into the swing of things here at East Hill.

Positivity Project
This week's character strength focus is perseverance. Perseverance means you complete what you start despite obstacles. You never give up. To read more about this character strength, click here.

Upcoming Dates
Please mark your calendars!
January 14     PTA Meeting, 6:30, Library
January 21     No School - Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
January 28     No School - Professional Development Day
February 2     Enrichment Day

Have a great rest of the week!

- Lisa