Panda Press
January 17, 2025
THIS IS YOUR OPPORTUNITY!
We empower each child to grow and become a well-rounded citizen,
because every child's future counts.
Click the Graphic for Family Moments
A NOTE FROM YOUR PRINCIPALS...
OES Families,
This week we honored the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Our talented students took us on a journey through song and music, celebrating Dr. King’s unwavering commitment to justice, equality, and peace. As we listened to their voices and melodies, it reminded of us of the power of unity and the importance of carrying forward Dr. King’s dream in our own lives. Music is such an amazing way to integrate learning and help our students appreciate history through song. Remember there will be NO SCHOOL on MONDAY, January 20th in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Day.
Next week our student will begin taking the FAST BRIDGE screener in Math and Reading. This tool helps us determine how our students are progressing toward grade level expectations. This screener is a dipstick that we use to plan interventions and/or extensions for our students. You may notice teachers referring to this screener during conferences. Please reach out if you have any questions regarding Fast Bridge.
Also, our 2nd-5th Graders will be participating in a SCHOOL SENSE OF BELONGING SURVEY in the next couple of weeks. We use the data collected from this survey to continue best practices in supporting our students.
We appreciate your continued partnership and support at OES!
For more information, please visit our website at: https://oes.cvsd.org/ and follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/OpportunityElementaryCVSD/ and Instagram at @opp.es
Best regards,
Mrs. Spence & Mr. Howard
NO SCHOOL MONDAY, JANUARY 20, 2025 IN HONOR OF MARTIN LUTHER KING JR.
COUNSELOR'S CORNER with MR. HASTINGS
A Healthy Self-Image or a Social-Media Identity?
The effects of social media on our youth continues to be a topic of discussion and concern. There are many ways that social media can affect a child’s self-image. They are subject to unhealthy comparisons with others, unrealistic body image issues, and traumatic cyberbullying.
Many young people live with constant feelings of inferiority and discontent because their self-perceptions don’t match the ideals presented in various forms of social media. Many kids reach young adulthood being extremely anxious about their ability to cope and believe:
“I’m a loser in real life! The only time I’m not is when I’m on-line.”
As they grapple with the already-challenging task of understanding themselves in relation to the world, this dangerous theme pervades the lives of far too many children, teens, and young adults. When social-media identity competes with true self-image for emotional territory, kids can suffer painful conflict and develop understandable escape behaviors.
Overuse of technology
Many kids will dive deep into the murky waters of internet and video game overuse because they feel calmer, stronger, and more accepted in cyberspace than in their true relational world. The seeds of addiction are sown. Full-blown dependency looms just around the corner.
Taking away their devices addresses is just the tip of the iceberg. Although it’s sometimes necessary to do this, it only scratches the surface. Helping them develop a healthy self-concept addresses the larger issue below the water line.
Denial in epic proportions
One might argue that most parents in America are in denial over the impact of technology overuse and its effects on their children’s identities. Teaching me to drive, both of my parents gave great advice: “Always assume someone is in your blind spot.” Applying this to parenting, it’s probably wise to assume that most us have a “blind spot” when it comes to technology and our kids.
Helicopter and Drill Sergeant parenting foster dependency
Chronic helicopter parenting creates insecure kids who doubt their ability to make good decisions and succeed in the real world—so does clinging to the drill sergeant model. Both styles are the enemy of healthy self-image development and can create damaging anxiety and despair.
Consultant parenting empowers children
Consultant parents empower their kids to make decisions, live with the consequences, and see that they are capable of coping with the real world. This style also preserves healthy parent-child relationships. Coping skills plus relationships serve as antidotes for depression and dependency.
We can’t control others
At the heart of consultant parenting is the awareness that we can only increase the odds of healthy identity development. We cannot ensure it. Sometimes highly ineffective parents end up with strong kids—and highly competent parents can end up with kids who have big problems. What Love and Logic does guarantee is that we can face life knowing we’ve done our best.
Our audio, Shaping Self-Concept, contains additional insights into how consultant parents can help their kids develop a healthy self-image and avoid the social-media trap.
Thanks for reading!
PTO
Opportunity Gear - Great SWAG to Support our School PTO GETS 50% OF SALES
Support our PTO's fundraising efforts by purchasing some Opportunity Gear. Lots of tshirts, sweatshirts, and hats for the whole family. Purchase on-line. Contact opportunitypto@gmail.com with questions.
JOIN PTO !
PTO CASH COW CHANGE WAR
September Winner - Kindergarten $45.83 raised
October Winner - 1st Grade $70.85 raised
SCHOOL TOTAL - $431.21
KEEP THOSE COINS COMING!!!
THANK YOU
PTO POPCORN SALES - FRIDAYS 50 CENTS A BAG!!!
We need volunteers to help with POPCORN FRIDAYS - if we cannot recruit help, POPCORN FRIDAYS WILL ONLY BE HELP ONCE A MONTH! Please email our PTO if you are available to help!OpportunityPTO@gmail.com
STINKY SNEAKER - JANUARY 17 @ EWU
Central Valley High School vs University High School
Come show your school spirit by supporting the STINKY SNEAKER BASKETBALL GAME!
Girls' Game 5:30 pm
Boys' Game 7:30 pm
We recommend purchasing tickets in advance by using the QR CODE.
DSHS RESOURCE VAN
A wonderful resource for our CV community is that the DSHS resource van will be at the EARLY LEARNING CENTER (ELC) the first Tuesday of every month. The van can help provide almost every resource that is offered at the DSHS office.
UPCOMING EVENTS...MARK YOUR CALENDAR
- January is School Board Appreciation Month!
- Tuesdays/Fridays - Dynamic PANDAmonium Choir Practice @ 8:10
- Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays - 4/5TH Grade Yoga @3:15 pm
- Wednesdays/Thursdays - DANCE CLASS @ 3:15
- January 17 - Martin Luther King Jr. Assembly - 10 am - Gym
- January 20 - Martin Luther King Jr. Day - NO SCHOOL
- January 21 - 5th Grade Orchestra Concert - McDonald Elementary @ 6:00 pm
- January 22 - PTO MEETING - @ 5:30 - ART & COMMUNITY ROOM
- January 23 - CVHS Basketball Players Visit
- January 29 - READING BOOK BUDDIES @ 3:15
- January 30 - ASB DRESS UP DAY - NEW LOOK, NEW DECADE
- 5TH Graders - 1950s
- 4th Graders - 1960s
- 3rd Graders - 1970s
- 2nd Graders - 1980s
- 1st Graders - 1990s
- Kindergarteners - 2000s
OPPORTUNITY PARENT HANDBOOK
Click the link below to access our PARENT HANDBOOK. This hand book will be linked in our newsletter each week for you to reference important information.
Main Phone
Attendance Line
509-558-3590
Line available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
OPPORTUNITY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Email: lspence@cvsd.org
Website: oes.cvsd.org/
Location: 1109 South Wilbur Road, Spokane Valley, WA, USA
Phone: 509-558-3550
Facebook: facebook.com/OpportunityElementaryCVSD/