Is your family getting enough sleep?

I put up a bulletin board this week, an effort I make once or twice per year.  It tends to get pushed down the priority list...much like keeping up with my blog posts.  This bulletin board is all about sleep, please have a look on the wall outside my office.  Here is a link to an article for further reading from The Slate:  In Defense of Absurdly Early Bedtimes



Since I've written last, my lessons have covered several topics:  Stress, Diversity, Moving, Career Awareness, and more.  During my moving lessons in the upper grades, we discussed the importance of "building a RAFT" to help you in your transition.  This is drawn directly from Pollack & Van Reken's work in "Third Culture Kids:  The Experience of Growing Up Among Worlds."

R...for Reconciliation (resolve conflicts with friends prior to leaving)
A...for Affirmation (communicate how much your friends have meant to you)
F...for Farewells (explicitly saying good-bye)
T...for Think Destination (take time to do some research about your new home country & get excited)

We talk about how good-bye parties can be a healthy way to take care of both the "A" and the "F."  And, in all the grades, we discuss all of the emotions that moving can stir up:  sad, mad, excited, happy, nervous, anxious, lonely, surprised, confused, and more.  Hopefully, your kids will remember to talk to you about their feelings during your own time of transition, when that day comes.  

"Truly wonderful the mind of a child is." -Yoda
Teacher Appreciation Week here at TAISM!
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Notes from Mr. Everett...

Hello Parents!
Months have flown by since my last post, and I have been busy in the classrooms with the kids.  We recently finished a unit on Cooperation & Teamwork.  We used cooperative games to examine the following positive team member behaviors:

• Listen
• Share Ideas
• Encourage Others
• Do Your Part
• Lead & Follow (being flexible enough to do both)

The next rotation will focus on "personal safety" lessons. Students will be learning how to keep their bodies safe, and they will learn to differentiate between safe and unsafe touches. They will begin to identify the adults in their lives that they can talk to if they have a problem. On the day that I teach your child, I will send home a handout to parents with specifics.  Talking about this lesson with your child will help to reinforce the points I cover.  I have emailed you to inform you of the exact date that I will be discussing this topic with your child.  The picture below is part of our lesson to help the children identify trusted adults.  When you see this at home, ask them about their five adults they trust.  Also, flip this paper over and read my letter on the opposite side.  If you have any questions, please email me or stop by my office.