What are you thankful for?

“Joy is the simplest form of gratitude.” Karl Barth

This  past weekend I was able to spend the majority of it outside with my children. I am so thankful for this extended fall weather and the joy it has brought to my kids. At this same time I pondered how I can continually teach my children to be grateful, with the holiday season approaching.  As I thought about this, I read a few parenting articles on helping make our child be grateful and the benefits it has on children. Three ideas stuck out to me as I read the article;

1.      A 2003 study at the University of California at Davis showed that grateful people report higher levels of happiness and optimism -- along with lower levels of depression and stress.

2.      Being grateful is a learned behavior

3.      We can teach our children how to be grateful through modeling, and by having conversations about it.

As we go into this week, a great topic for discussion is gratitude and thankfulness. Next week is Thanksgiving and makes for a good conversation around this topic. Teachers have taken time this week to talk with their advisories about this topics and I encourage parents to continue this conversation at home.  For a link to the articles on being grateful, please see my blog. 

References:
http://www.health.harvard.edu/newsletter_article/in-praise-of-gratitude
http://www.parents.com/toddlers-preschoolers/development/behavioral/teaching-children-to-be-grateful/

Veterans Day

“The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here.” Abraham Lincoln
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wo goals of Eagle Ridge Academy are to prepare students to be exemplary and knowledgeable citizens, and to foster an appreciation for the United States of America and her unique role in the world. This week marks Veterans Day 2015. We had a ceremony to recognize this on Wednesday. It is a great time to have discussions in class and at home to recognize the importance of Veterans in the United State and bring more awareness to our students regarding why Veterans Day began and what veterans have sacrificed through time to protect this great country.

Please don’t forget that there is math lab available every Monday and Thursday from 7:00am - 7:45am and 3:15pm - 4:00pm. This is a free after school drop in program run by students, which provides support on math questions and homework in grades 6th-10th.
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Andrew Carnegie
“Teamwork is the ability to work together toward a common vision. The ability to direct individual accomplishments toward organizational objectives. It is the fuel that allows common people to attain uncommon results.”

Teamwork is key to ensure your child’s and our student’s success. The common vision for students to have optimal education is something all stakeholders at Eagle Ridge Academy want.  The end of this week/early next week will mark mid- quarter in the Schools of Logic and Rhetoric. This is a great time to sit down with your kids and discuss how things are going.  It is also a great time to reach out to teachers to set up a plan for your child to finish the semester strong, to gain some tips on how to help your child study, or to get some information on how to start preparing for finals. When everyone; students, parents, and teachers are on the same page and working as a team, student will be able to achieve uncommon results.

Announcements:

• Parent Coffee- December 10th at 9:00-10:00am- Topic of discussion will be Children and media use.
• Mitten Drive- All winter gear will be collected in the front office to donate. Coats, hats, mittens, socks, blankets and more can be dropped off in the front office to donate.
• ERA Band Concert- 6:30pm, Thursday December 11th.
• Middle School Winter Formal- Hosted by the ERA Student Senate- Friday, December 12th,  6:30-9:30pm

Gratitude: The quality of being thankful; readiness to show appreciation for and to return kindness.  Oxford Dictionary

Thanksgiving holiday and break are next week and as we have conversations with our families and in our classrooms each day,  it is a great time to ask, how can we instill the spirit of gratitude? Recognizing on a regular basis what we are thankful for and then showing kindness is a routine that is valuable to all. I am thankful for all of the wonderful families that attend Eagle Ridge Academy. The support you offer your children help us offer a great educational opportunity.  I am thankful for the excellent staff we have at Eagle Ridge Academy. I believe they truly care about students and offer a high level of education to your children daily. We hope the conversation regarding gratitude can continue at home and though next week as this is an important concept that we will try to instill and model at school.

Student Recognition
School Chess Association Grade Level Tournament on Saturday, November 1, held at Highview Elementary School in New Brighton, Eagle Ridge Academy had two 8th grade students achieve 1st place: Will C. and Josh F. Congratulations gentleman on your excellent performance in this competition.