Sunday, January 8, 2012

Happy New Year!


Dear JES family and friends,

Happy New Year! Thank you, again, for your generosity throughout the holiday season. Our Angel Tree program is a blessing to many of our families. It is a joy to be part of it. Our Johnson families are kind and generous beyond measure. Even in these uncertain economic times when no one's money seems to be going as far as it has in the past, our families show great concern and care in making sure that all of the children associated with our Johnson family receive a gift during the holiday.

The Custodial and Cafeteria staff appreciated the holiday food baskets and gift card and send a big "THANKS" to all.

Thanks also to everyone who contributed to the toy drive for Cook Children’s Medical Center. Over 300 items were donated and delivered by Tatum Hayes and the Hayes family. Thank you Tatum and to each of you for supporting the toy drive.

Our character trait for January is SELF-CONTROL. “But I don’t want to go back to school!” Hopefully this wasn’t a statement uttered by a student in our school but if you’ve ever heard something like it, this month’s virtue might come in handy. For the rest of the month we are talking about the virtue of Self-Control – choosing to do what you should do, not what you want to do.

Our time at school is limited so we rely on your involvement as the parent to help us make the virtue come alive each month! That’s why we are sending home 4 CORE Activities for you and your child to do in the car, at home, or in your community that will reinforce the character virtue we are discussing here at school. C – “car time” will provide a link you can follow to download a song that reinforces the meaning of the virtue. O – “open wide” will be a few discussion starters for around the dinner table that will crack open what this month’s virtue is all about. R – “rest” is an age-appropriate book that you can order online or check out at your local library to read at bedtime, or any time of the day. These books are guaranteed to reiterate this month’s virtue and encourage great discussion with your child. E – “experience” is a creative suggestion for a family activity that will put this virtue into action. Thanks for your participation in building these character skills! Check the Counselor's Corner on the school website for the activities sheet.

Second and fourth grade parents should receive ITBS and CogAT results in the mail this week. If you have any questions or need help interpreting the results, you can contact me.

As always, if I can assist you in any way, please call.
Kindest regards,

Ziba Johnston
Counselor
elizabeth.johnston@southlakecarroll.edu