| Dear Thompson Community,
The month of September has flown by and we find ourselves here in October! The opening of school went very smoothly, with students and teachers spending time getting to know each other. One of the most important parts of the day is Morning Meeting. This occurs from 8:15-8:50 each morning, and it is the time when the students preview the schedule for the day, learn about each other and their teacher, and practice important social skills such as how to greet one another, problem solve, and manage their emotions. With all that in mind, it is extremely important that children arrive to school on time.
One of the areas that we are finding challenging is recess and lunch. We have established and reviewed expectations with all students both in class and in the cafeteria during their “cafeteria orientation” the first week of school, and teachers continue to review them in class. What I am observing is that some students are not demonstrating the same amount of respect for our recess/lunch staff, as they do for their teacher and principal. The most important thing I am asking students to do is to respond to the adults when requested. The requests could be for the whole group such as a clapping response, a quiet signal, or even an attempt to have a conversation with a student or two outside. These requests ask for students to stop what they are doing, turn their voices off, and look to the adult for instructions—such as cleaning up from lunch, an important message about safety, or time to line up to come in. I am asking for your support in this area—as I have said to all of the students—the women who are here to support them during lunch and recess are to be given the same respect as any other person who works in the school. I am hoping to have more lunch groups with smaller groups of students this year to discuss their thoughts on lunch and recess and get their input as well on improving it for all of us.
 October also brought a special event for one of our staff members—Ms. Brayfield! This past weekend my family and I were fortunate to be able to be a part of her wedding weekend to our good friend, Bob Fanciullo. There was a beautiful ceremony and reception near her hometown of Southington, CT, with love, laughter, and happiness filling the air! If you have some time, I’d be happy to share how my husband John and I introduced them! As expected, she was a beautiful bride….Congratulations, Mr. & Mrs. Fanciullo!
Karen
P.S. Mark your calendars for the first Coffee Chat w/Karen after drop-off on Tuesday, Oct. 30, in the cafeteria. |
