PAGE 1 DEAR WALTER HAYS FAMILIES, On this Halloween morning I am reflecting on what important and enjoyable events that were held this month: How to Raise an Adult/Walter Hays Book Club; Units of Study Writing (Teachers College) Professional Development for all teachers; Unity Day; and Fall Fest! Unity Day was a huge success at Walter Hays. Nationally, communities banded together to send a powerful message against bullying and a unified front to spread kindness, acceptance and inclusion. At Walter Hays, a sea of orange flooded the campus as students, staff and parents joined the nationwide effort and dressed in orange to show their support. In classrooms, Mr. Ambrose and teachers reinforced the effort by sharing books, which embodied the Unity Day themes. The children embraced Unity Day by participating in a simple but incredibly though-provoking activity. Teachers asked their students how we could make Walter Hays a kinder, safer and more welcoming place for our Walter Hays Community and write it on an orange paper “link”. These links were collected and connected together by volunteer parents to create one enormous chain that was displayed and shared at the lunch area. The response was overwhelming. Not only were the children asking to write more than one message, but also they were coming to the lunch tables and offering to help connect all the links. Instead of spending their recess time playing on the yard, they wanted to contribute more to the unified message! WALTER HAYS CORE VALUE OF THE MONTH Integrity We make positive and responsible choices that come from within ourselves. WALTER HAYS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL OCTOBER 30, 2015
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DEAR WALTER HAYS FAMILIES,
On this Halloween morning I am reflecting on what important and enjoyable events that were held this month: How to Raise an Adult/Walter Hays Book Club; Units of Study Writing (Teachers College) Professional Development for all teachers; Unity Day; and Fall Fest!
Unity Day was a huge success at Walter Hays. Nationally, communities banded together to send a powerful message against bullying and a unified front to spread kindness, acceptance and inclusion. At Walter Hays, a sea of orange flooded the campus as students, staff and parents joined the nationwide effort and dressed in orange to show their support. In classrooms, Mr. Ambrose and teachers reinforced the effort by sharing books, which embodied the Unity Day themes. The children embraced Unity Day by participating in a simple but incredibly though-provoking activity. Teachers asked their students how we could make Walter Hays a kinder, safer and more welcoming place for our Walter Hays
Community and write it on an orange paper “link”. These links were collected and connected together by volunteer parents to create one enormous chain that was displayed and shared at the lunch area.
The response was overwhelming. Not only were the children asking to write more than one message, but also they were coming to the lunch tables and offering to help connect all the links. Instead of spending their recess time playing on the yard, they wanted to contribute more to the unified message!
WALTER HAYS CORE VALUE OF THE MONTH
Integrity
We make positive and responsible choices that come
from within ourselves.
WALTER HAYS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL OCTOBER 30, 2015
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It is so heartwarming to hear the sentiments of our children and here is a sampling of the gems they stated:
"I could invite others to my group, and if my group doesn't want to invite that person I would go play with that person instead" "When something doesn't go my way I should not just start yelling and getting mad, I should try to work it out nicely" "Show new kids around the school" "If I see someone lonely I will include them. I will ask 'do you want to play some football. You can be on my team.'" "I will go outside my friend bubble and make new friends" "Invite new kids to a play date" "I will let more grades read and write for the Wildcat Journal" "If someone is upset I will try to help them feel good"”I will never leave others out, I will stand up for them, and I will include them" "If I see someone sad I will give them a big hug" "If somebody is alone at lunch I would go sit next to them" "If I see someone struggling on a math problem I will help them figure it out" "If I see someone sad I will go say 'are you okay and listen to them. And when they are down, I will ask do you want to play." "One way to show kindness is by saying, ‘Hi!’” "One way we can show kindness is if some one at the wall ball courts who is being bullied because they don't know how to play stand up for them and teach them." "We can also show kindness by saying thank you to people who help out in the MP room with the lunch"
As children left campus after school that afternoon, they searched for their links by the lunch area and proudly showed their parents their individual messages. Inspired by their children, parents joined in by adding their own link-messages as well. What a great show of unity!
November is “Initiative” month in our Core Values continuum. It is a great opportunity to integrate the Unity Day message. Since the children were so excited about Unity Day, it is a great opportunity to engage your children in a discussion and remind them of their “action plan”. Taking the “Initiative” will encourage them to put their words into action.
These beautiful Unity Day messages are still on display in the Library. Please come and see this meaningful ‘orange chain’ our children have created!
Teachers College Professional Developers continued their work with our teachers as they are implementing the Units of Study Writing Curriculum. In our second formal year as a Project School, teachers are delving into powerful and effective instructional practices which, support student’s thinking, articulation of ideas and ability to communicate effectively through writing. Teachers are observing how their students are developing proficiency, because of this powerful practice and the instruction they are receiving.
Since we have seen the growth of our students in writing, our teachers were eager to adopt the new Teachers College Units of Reading Curriculum. As I wrote in last month’s Wildcat, Lucy Calkins the founder and primary author of Units of Study Writing and Reading Curriculum, visited Walter Hays to discuss our district’s work with readers and writers workshop. Ms. Calkins states, “Children deserve the richest, happiest, most powerful literacy education
WALTER HAYS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL OCTOBER 30, 2015
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and for that to happen, teachers also need the richest, happiest, most powerful professional education that we can give them. The most important thing we can do to help our children become the readers and writers that we want them to be is to turn schools into vibrant communities of professional learning.” This is our goal at Walter Hays. Our teachers have embarked on implementing this reading curriculum and our work as a project school supports this professional learning and commitment to this researched-based instruction.
Our initial work with the reading curriculum is analyzing and organizing our class libraries. Good books and their availability to students is essential. An organized library allows the students to access ‘Just right books’ at their level and independently select books that are of high interest to them.
Organizing a classroom library is important and easy however time consuming work. Our teachers would really appreciate your volunteer help to ‘level’ books and organize books into categories. If you are available, please ask your teacher how you can help to support this effort. Thank you in advance for your help!
Thank you to all of the amazing hard work and volunteer effort that contributed to our many events this month. The volunteers organized a time for a meaningful and relevant discussion at the Principal’s Book Club. Fall Fest volunteers have been working for months for a wonderfully fun day for families, as well as providing an effective method for fundraising to support terrific programs for students. Unity Day volunteers worked with
students express to their creative ideas of how to be inclusive, respectful and how to take the initiative to reach out to others. We have a truly special school community. Each of you is a valuable member that contributes so much to making Walter Hays a unique and exceptional place. Thank you all; it is truly a joy to be your principal!
Have a great weekend!Fondly,Mary
WALTER HAYS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL OCTOBER 30, 2015
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FALL FEST FUN!!!
As we head into November, we want to thank everyone that made Fall Fest a success this year. Fall Fest is our largest fundraiser of the year and takes an enormous amount of work from our entire Walter Hays community. Many helpful hands and some hard work turn our campus into a very special event for everyone! Thanks to all of you for volunteering to host a party, donating an auction item, working on the Fall Fest team and for the many donations of food and carnival items that are needed to make this event a success! A special thanks to all the teachers who participated in the DUNK TANK! What fun for our kids!
Fall Fest was a success and combined with the One Check Form donations, we are well on our way to meeting our financial goal for the year. We’d like to share a few examples of what your generous donations will make possible this year:
• Educational Materials: general supplies, writing Lucy Caulkins materials, books, art supplies, headphones, math manipulatives, new smartboards etc. When PTA can fun this, Mary can invest more in teachers and staff.
• Noon Activities: The PTA can fund several programs that provide more options for our kids at lunch. These options focus on both emotional health and physical fitness. Our children are able to do Noon Art, Dance Party, YMCA, Walk/Running Club etc. every week.
• Staff Development: Our children’s teachers are able to attend training programs to learn best practices throughout the year, which directly impacts teaching and learning.
• Contracted Services: Our PTA can fund programs like Design Thinking Workshops, Digital TAT2, Oceans Week Mini Labs, Gold Rush Simulation, 5th grade Ropes Course and speakers like Julie Lythcott-Haims. All of our kids benefit from these services.
These are just a few examples of what the PTA can afford this year, thank you for your generous support! Thank you for all that you do, and all that you give!
Sandy Liu and Laura Lindstrom Your PTA Co-Presidents
PTA MattersWALTER HAYS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL OCTOBER 30, 2015
Cake Walk Dunk Tank
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Fall Fest 2015
WALTER HAYS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL OCTOBER 30, 2015
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WALTER HAYS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL NOVEMBER 8 , 2013 WALTER HAYS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL OCTOBER 30, 2015
B I K E S ! B I K E S ! B I K E S !
WH Participates in Bike and Roll Day!
The 3rd Grade Bike Rodeo was a hit again this year! The students learned important skills and techniques about how to bike safely in and our
community. Thank you to the wonderful parent volunteers and our fabulous 3rd grade teachers!
Bike Mobile Free tune-ups of bikes to encourage everyone to
use their bikes!
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Hallowe’enWALTER HAYS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL OCTOBER 30, 2015
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WALTER HAYS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL OCTOBER 30, 2015
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Parenting can be tricky sometimes. Take a few days ago, when I walked home with my son from a birthday party in our neighborhood. He still had his napkin in his hand from the birthday cake, and a couple of blocks later, I noticed the napkin was gone. I looked back, didn’t see the napkin anywhere, and had a fleeting thought to let it go, so we could get home, and I could start dinner. But then I remembered our October Core Value of Integrity, and said, “Whoa buddy, where’s your napkin? What have your Dad and I taught you about littering?”
It occurred to me that maybe we hadn’t done enough to talk about personal integrity - “We make positive and responsible choices that come from within ourselves.” - and that this was one of those “teachable moments” I could seize as the parent I want to be. So, I started doing some digging, and put together some ways to talk about integrity with children.
1. Give children non-judgemental space to share their thoughts and explanations. In the case of the lost napkin, my son retraced his steps, and found it stuck to a bush. Instead of disappointment, I asked with a neutral tone, “What do you know about littering?” He was immediately forthright, and told me he had made a mistake. Then we talked about what he learned. “I learned to keep my litter in my hand until we reach a trash can.”
2. To explore integrity, talk through scenarios. Remember that you want honest answers. Allow whatever may come up for your kids, so they can learn
for themselves what the right thing is and how to actually do it, even in the face of peer pressure.
“What would you do if…” ...you saw your best friend stealing chips from a child’s lunch? ...you saw your reading buddy putting school supplies in their backpack? ...you saw your mother retrieve a water bottle from lost and found that didn’t have your name on it? ...another kid dropped a $5 bill the same day you wanted to buy a popular new video game? …you jokingly said something at recess and later heard it repeated as a rumor? …you witnessed a classmate teasing another kid at school?
3. Model integrity, but if you do falter, explain yourself ! I’ll admit to doing one of the examples above. I took a water bottle from lost and found that looked just like one my son lost, but didn’t have his name on it. My kid noticed and said, “Hey Mom, this isn’t my water bottle.” I paused, knowing I was busted, and said, “You’re right”, and put it back, even though my mind concocted a lie like, “Oh, your name must’ve rubbed off.” Dr.
Paul Ekman says we are all tempted to engage in lies of convenience. He offers his advice: “If you do lie in front of your child, explain why you did so and why it probably would have been better to be truthful.”
4. If you suspect your child may lie, don't try to trap your child. If we respond by acting impatient, suspicious, or angry, then our child may not be able to learn from the mistakes they’ve made. When the hurt
FROM THE CORE VALUES COMMITTEE
Talking to Your Kids About Integrity
WALTER HAYS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL OCTOBER 30, 2015
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emotions have passed, explain how hard it is to get along with people who lie. Use an example such as a game like Monopoly and explain how you can't play the game if one person is lying.
5. To help children visualize gray areas, show diagrams. Author Mary O’Donohue recommends taking a piece of paper and drawing an image of two boxes with some space in between. Color one in fully and leave the other one blank. Between the two boxes, shade in slightly. Then talk through the tough decisions and motivations.
Remember that during these challenging scenarios when we or our children may not be acting with integrity, it’s important we approach with empathy. Most importantly with our kids, we give them the space to figure out their own stuff. As Principal Mary said in October’s book club, “The biggest mistake parents make is filling in the blanks for our children.” Talking about integrity is a good opportunity to let your child learn for themselves how to do the right thing, even when no one is looking. That way, kids can truly learn how the things they do - and don’t do - affect other people.
This article was written by Co-Lead of Core Values Jami Milton and adapted from: http://www.pbs.org/parents/experts/archive/2013/01/teaching-children-to-have-inte.html http://www.pbs.org/parents/experts/archive/2012/12/raising-a-truthful-child.html
Our next Core Values meeting is November 6th, 2015 at noon in the small conference room of the library. Please join us to talk about how we can help incorporate initiative into a school-wide activity!
Upcoming Events Book Fair Monday, November 30th – Friday, December 4th The Book Fair is a cherished winter tradition at Walter Hays and the primary fundraiser for the Hays Library. Students will have opportunities to visit the Fair and be introduced to age-appropriate literature. They will also be encouraged to create a “wish-list” of books. Don’t miss PJ night where kids come in their pajamas and listen to stories read by our beloved Principal Mary while parents enjoy a great night of book shopping as well.
Community Dinner Friday, December 4th, 5:30pm East Palo Alto Senior Center Our amazing Voluntary Transfer Program families host a festive evening, and welcome us into their community to share their culture, food, music and holiday spirit, Join us for our 11th Annual Community Dinner and enjoy a filled evening with the whole family.
WH Family Pancake Breakfast and Marketplace Hosted by the 5th Grade Saturday, December 6th, 8am MP Room Join us as our 5th graders host a pancake breakfast for all WH families. Our students will be serving pancakes, sausages, fruit and juice along with coffee, tea and hot chocolate. After breakfast select from a variety of goods and services at the 5th Grade Marketplace. These homemade treats, sports clinics, mother’s helpers and fun parties are all donated by 5th grade students. Sign up and join us for a fun morning!
WALTER HAYS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL OCTOBER 30, 2015
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SUPPORTD E V E LO P M E N TA L A S S E T S
WALTER HAYS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL OCTOBER 30, 2015
pare tideas n sfor
ASSETCATEGORY
Support
The more love,support, caring,
and adultcontacts a childhas, the more
likely he or sheis to grow up
healthy.
*The Minnesota Family StrengthProject Research Report 1997
and 1999.
FAST FACTS
Who are the people that reallysupport you in your life?
These people are important champions. Theycheer us on when things go well. They stickwith us when life throws us a curve ball. Theylisten. They ask questions. They smile. Theyhug. They’re people we like to be around.
What kind of a champion are you for yourchild? Are you a fair-weather supporter? Arain-or-shine supporter? What’s your uniqueway of supporting and loving your child?
Your love and support for your child arecritical. But you can’t go it alone. You needothers. Your child needs others. Howsupported and cared for does your child feelby teachers, neighbors, coaches, grandparents,aunts, uncles, parents of their friends, youthworkers, and mentors? These other key adults
are important players in helping your childjump over the hurdles in life. In fact, the moresupportive adults your child has, the better.And by nurturing and loving all the childrenin our communities, we help them grow to beloving, caring people themselves.
Everyone Provides theStrength of Support
12
3
Name ThreeHave each family member name threeways the family supports her or him.
Easy Ways to Build Assets for and with Your Child
Look to future newsletters for details on all six support assets!
❑ Caring school climate—School provides acaring, encouraging environment for yourchild.
❑ Parent involvement in schooling—You areactively involved in helping your childsucceed in school.
Search Institute researchershave identified six specific
assets in the support category thatare crucial for helping youngpeople grow up healthy. Check theareas of strength in your child’s life:
❑ Family support—Family life provides highlevels of love and support.
❑ Positive family communication—You andyour child communicate positively, and yourchild is willing to seek you out for adviceand counsel.
❑ Other adult relationships—Your childreceives support from three ormore non-parent adults.
6 Key Areas of Support
BuildingSupport
AfricanAmerican
Parents Say:*
•“Prayingtogether, eating,
going out.”
•“Eating meals[with teens], it’s
a way to getout from teens
what they mightnot tell you.”
Newsletter #2
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SUPPORT
WALTER HAYS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL OCTOBER 30, 2015
D E V E LO P M E N TA L A S S E T S
Age Ways to Love and Support Your Child
0-1 • Hold your baby and look at her or him during feedings.• Respond to your baby’s needs.• Rock your baby often.
2-3 • Cheer your child on as he or she masters new skills.• Touch your child often. Hug. Cuddle.• Stay positive when setting limits for your child.
4-5 • When you interact with your child, get down to her or his eye level.• Share you child’s excitement about her or his interests.• Find other caring adults to participate regularly in your child’s life.
6-10 • Answer your child’s questions. If you don’t know an answer, say so and work together to find it.
• When you and your child disagree, point out you still love her or him.• Be silly with your child.
11-15 • Accept the identity your child is forming.• Affirm independence and interdependence.• At least sometimes, be available to listen.
16-18 • Continue to show affection for your teenager.• Let your teen overhear you complimenting her or him to someone else.• Seek your teen’s opinion or advice on a big decision.
More Help for ParentsWhat Kids Need to Succeed: Proven, Practical Ways to Raise Good Kids. This book gives practical tips for building assets forand with young people. (Available from Search Institute,www.search-institute.org; 800-888-7828.)
Quick Tip:
A good way to
love your child
is
to be accessible
.
“It isn’t walls and furniture that make a home. It’s the family.”—Natalie Savage Carlson
Support forParentsParents needsupport, too.Research showsthat parents needthe help of imme-diate and extendedfamily, friends, andcommunities.
So asking for help or advice is not a sign of weak-ness. Instead, itprovides good ideas,encouragement, andreinforcement—all of which areneeded to face thechallenges ofparenting that willcome along the way.
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