FROM THE DESK OF MS. ERTLE, PRINCIPAL OF CLARENDON SCHOOL - HALLOWEEN INFORMATION ON EMERGENCY CLOSING LINK!

 

 

          

                                                          

PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE

 

              

WELCOME!

I am very excited about starting the 2007/2008 school year as Principal of Clarendon School and can assure you that I will work diligently in order to ensure that your child reaches academic success.  Together, we can make a difference in your child's education through hard work, determination, dedication and conviction to their education. It is with pride that I undertake this role in leadership and with the staff, we can be

SUCCESSFUL FOR YOUR CHILD.

 

PARENT'S ROLE IN HOMEWORK AID

 

As the school year continues, there are many ways you can ensure success for your child.

Encourage your child to start each day with a positive outlook as he/she leaves the home. Make sure your child has a healthy

breakfast each morning and a healthy lunch also is essential.

 

As always, the children of Clarendon School make it what it is today, A SPECIAL PLACE WHERE LEARNING IS KEY!

  Spending at least seven hours a day here, gives each child the opportunity to experience an environment that allows each to grow academically, socially and emotionally. As your child finishes his/her grade this year, take time to reflect on the progress that your child has made, reflect on the positive aspects of this year, encourage your child to improve upon subjects that they may not do as well in and always PRAISE your child for in all they endeavor.

You can help greatly in your child's development by taking just fifteen minutes a day for read aloud sessions with your child:

Here are a few of the benefits:

  *  The read - aloud session between a parent and child is one of the most effective rescue remedies available. 

 *  The time spent reading together provides clear evidence to a child of a parent's love, care and focused attention*  Children who are read to quickly acquire the skill of listening and the desire to hear stories.  They develop the ability to concentrate and relax.

*  The more expressively you read, the more fantastic the experience will be for your child.  The more fantastic the experience, the more your child will love books.

*  The more language a child experiences - through books and through conversation with others, not passively from television - the more advantaged socially, educationally, and in every way the child will be for the rest of his or her life.  

*  Encourage  your child to be responsible and to work independently.  Taking responsibility and working independently are important qualities for school success.                                                           

 

STUDY ISLAND

Study Island is a fun new computer program which helps students study for the NJ ASK.  It's been a tremendous diagnostic tool whereby students can brush up their Math, Language Arts and Science for the upcoming state test. Grades 3-6, periodically work in the Computer Lab on this test:  www.studyisland.com is the website that each student logs into and then the learning begins!

(click the link to see) The students enjoy working on the computer and it is also fun in an educational way!

        ALL VISITORS MUST SIGN IN AT THE OFFICE - PLEASE DO NOT VISIT CLASSROOMS WITHOUT

STOPPING IN AT THE MAIN OFFICE FOR A VISITORS PASS.

                                           

Let's Be On Time!

It is extremely important for children to arrive at school on time.  Constant lateness does not allow the child to develop a consistent routine, which is very important for success in school.  The child who enters class late may also feel isolated from the activities, which have already begun in the classroom.  We ask that all parents an effort to have their children at the school by 8:15 A.M. each morning.

 

 I would encourage our Clarendon Families and Friends to join the PTA.  The PTA is dedicated and devoted to our students.  PTA not only stands for parent teacher association, it also represents: Prospering Together = Achievement for Clarendon School!

As they warm weather approaches, please observe the dress code that is outlined for our school. Please do not allow your students to wear sandals to school. Sneakers and other shoes may be warn only.  Appropriate attire is always encouraged and proper dress should be first and foremost when your child is getting ready for school. Please make certain that your child has a nutritious breakfast in the morning and a good night sleep each night. This will benefit your child greatly and ensure them success throughout the day!

       I AM VERY ANXIOUS TO BEGIN A NEW YEAR AS YOUR PRINCIPAL, I LOOK FORWARD TO A VERY SUCCESSFUL SCHOOL YEAR!

DEIDRE ERTLE, PRINCIPAL

 

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A Poem to share with you from the famous poet, Kahil Gibran

 

On Children

And a woman who held a babe against her bosom said, "Speak to us of Children." And he said:

Your children are not your children.

They are the sons and daughters of Life's longing for itself.

they come through you but not from you,

And though they are with you, yet they belong not to you.

You may give them your love but not your thoughts.

For they have their own thoughts.

You may house their bodies but not their souls,

For their souls dwell in the house of tomorrow, which you cannot visit, not even in your dreams.

You may strive to be like them, but seek not to make them like you.

For life goes not backward nor tarries with yesterday.

You are the bows from which your children as living arrows are sent forth.

The archer sees the mark upon the path of the infinite, and He bends you with

His might that His arrows may go swift and far.

Let your bending in the archer's hand be for gladness;

For even as he loves the arrow that flies, so He loves also the bow that is stable.

 

Your children are growing up to be young adults with minds of their own.  Know that your love and support will guide them to be successful as they continue to grow and mature. Nurture their souls and their minds -  and their hearts will always belong to you!

 

 

Be aware of your child's progress and please continue to support his/her efforts to succeed in their classroom.  Monitor homework, schoolwork and keep in touch with your child on a daily basis by asking, "How was your day?  What happened in school today? Did you have a good day? " Be positive and look for your child's strengths and work on weaknesses that will eventually build self esteem and confidence in your child.  Remember, that we at Clarendon School have your child's best interest as our priority.

We take your child's success personal!

Deidre Ertle, Principal

 

 Volunteer Aides/parents provide an invaluable service to our schools through the volunteer aide program.  Their assistance in the classrooms by reading with our students and assisting their child's teacher is greatly appreciated.  The unselfish contributions of our aides both enrich and strengthen relations between our schools and community.  If you would like to sign up as a volunteer, please visit our office and we will welcome you with a smile!

 

Thoughts On Progress Reports

(Please reflect each time your child's progress report is in your hand)

Dear Mom and Dad,

In a few days, I'm going to bring home a "snapshot" of myself.  This will be a time exposure of me that's been developing during the past weeks.  Considering my many likes and dislikes, my mood changes from day to day, I think it's a pretty good likeness of me.

When you see my snapshot, remember this is a report of someone near and dear to you.  So, please don't be too uptight if you see a blemish.  I hope you will accept me as I am.

Please do not picture me as being better than all the other children.  Remember that all children do not learn to talk or walk at the same time, nor do they learn math and reading at the same rate.  I ask you not to compare me with my brother, my sister, or the Kid next door.  You can set realistic goals for me, but please be careful not to push me to succeed at something that is beyond my ability.

My teacher knows me as I am in school.  You know how I am at home.  The "real me is somewhere in between.  When these two pictures become blended with acceptance and understanding, I hope my snapshot will be a shining portrait.

Your Child

                                                   

                                                   

OUR CHILDREN ARE DIFFERENT JUST LIKE THE STARS IN

THE SKY.

THEY SHINE IN THEIR OWN SPECIAL WAY.

Positive Quotes of the Day

We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.

Norman MacFinan

"I've learned that everyone wants to live on top of the mountain, but all happiness and growth occurs while you are climbing it".

"I've learned that being kind is more important than being right".

Andy Rooney



"Keep your feet on the ground, but let your heart soar as high as it will.  Refuse to be average...

Arthur Helps
 

"A  healthy attitude is contagious, but don't wait to catch it from others.  BE A CARRIER".

Tom Stoppard

" Where there is an open mind there will always be a frontier".

Charles F. Kettering



"If we succeed in giving the love of learning, the learning itself is sure to follow".

Sir John Lubbock

"A man should never be ashamed to own that he has been in the wrong, which  is but saying that he is

 wiser today than he was yesterday".

Alexander Pope




Education is.....hanging around until you've caught on

Robert Frost

 

The aim of education should be to teach the child to think, not what to think.

John Dewey

A great teacher never strives to explain his vision.  He simply invites you to stand beside him and see for yourself.

R. Inman

 

                 HIGHLIGHTS OF: "WHAT'S HAPPENING AT CLARENDON SCHOOL"
 



                                  

 

Self-esteem/How important is it?

 

Definition

This term refers to the value that each of us places on our own characteristics, abilities, and behaviors.

 

How it develops

As a child grows, his or her self-concept moves from the strictly concrete to the more abstract, and from merely physical to include psychological traits, too.  Thus, a 3-year-old might say, “I’m a girl with a pony tail,” but a 10-year-old might add information like,  “I’m a good swimmer, and sometimes I get upset when I have to do homework.”

 

As the self-concept becomes more complex, it is likely to include both nonacademic and academic components, e.g.:

Nonacademic                                      Academic

Physical abilities                                 General school ability

Physical appearance                            Reading

Peer relationships                                Math

Parent relationships                             Sciences

 

Activity

List 2 or 3 adjectives to describe yourself in regard to each of the components listed above.  Use + or minus signs to indicate whether your self-concept in each area is primarily positive or negative.

 

Has any part of your self-esteem changed since you were a teenager?  In what ways?  Why?

 

Gender differences

Self-esteem generally rises from 4th grade on, although girls often experience a bit drop in self-esteem during adolescence.  Even girls who are very confident about themselves and their abilities at ages 8-10 may have much less confidence as teenagers.  What factors do you think might account for this?

 

For an interesting and very informative look at this issue, see a book called Reviving Ophelia by Mary Pipher.

 

Self-esteem in gifted children

Several studies have shown that gifted children who move from heterogeneous classrooms to magnet classrooms filled only with gifted students experience at least a temporary drop in self-esteem.  It is difficult for them to go from a situation where they have always been the top student in a class to a situation where the other students are also very bright.

 

Activity

Think about a time when something that happened in school was damaging to your self-esteem.  Do the same for an event that contributed to higher self-esteem for you.  How have these experiences influenced your thinking as you prepare to become a teacher yourself?

 

Why is so much emphasis placed on self-esteem in the classroom?

Studies show that these things seem to go together, though we’re not sure that one causes the other:

 

Is it possible to “give” some one high self-esteem?

There is little evidence that programs like “Student of the Month” have much impact.  Self-esteem can’t be layered on from the outside; it arises from a genuine sense of self-worth. 

To build self-esteem we must believe that our success is due to our actions, not to luck or special assistance.  Some call this “earned” self-esteem.

Others have suggested that self-esteem comes from focusing on activities that help others – from reaching outward, rather than being focused excessively on self.

 

This is not to say, however, that teachers can have no influence on students’ self-esteem.  Here are some ideas to consider.

Suggestions from encouraging self-esteem in students

  1. Value and accept all students, for their attempts as well as their accomplishments.
  2. Create a climate that is psychologically safe for all students.  Do not condone name calling or any form of bullying.
  3. Avoid destructive comparisons and competition; encourage students to compete with their own prior levels of achievement.
  4. Become aware of your own personal biases and expectations.
  5. Accept a student even when you reject his or her behavior, and help them to understand this.
  6. Encourage students to take responsibility for their reactions to events; show them that they have choices in how to respond.
  7. Help students set clear goals and objectives, and help them think about resources they have for reaching these goals.

(adapted from Anita Woolfolk, Educational Psychology, Allyn and Bacon)

 

Also see 100 Ways to Enhance Self-concept in the Classroom: A Handbook for Teachers and Parents by Jack Canfield and H.C.Wells.

                                                       

 

 

WALK TO SCHOOL

Why walk to school?  Walking promotes physical activity, protects our environment by cutting down on pollution, reduces traffic congestion around our school, teaches safe walking practices and encourages families to spend more time together.  Join the Hudson TMA and iwalk in celebrating the benefits of walking. 

For more great Walk To School information visit www.iwalktoschool.org