We empower each child to grow and become a well-rounded citizen,

because every child's future counts.

Happy New Year, Opportunity Elementary families! As we embark on this new chapter, we are filled with excitement for the learning and growth that lies ahead. 2025 promises to bring new opportunities for our students to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. We are committed to fostering a nurturing environment where every child feels supported and inspired to reach their full potential. This year, we look forward to strengthening our partnership with you through open communication, collaborative events, and meaningful involvement.

A couple of reminders regarding student arrival and dismissal...for the safety of all students we ask parents to use the valet zone on 12th Ave for student drop off and pick up each day. Parents are not allowed to drop their children off on Wilbur Road and have students cross the parking lot where our special education buses are unloading students. It is difficult for our bus drivers to see children that cross in front of the busses. We want all of our students to be SAFE!

Thank you for entrusting us with your children’s education. Together, let’s make 2025 a year of success and celebration!

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

Disciplining with Empathy

“Disciplining” can be a charged word. One dictionary definition characterizes it in terms of punishing or correcting. When we hear of someone disciplining a child, punishment often comes to mind.

We look at discipline from an entirely different point of view. The principles and techniques of Love and Logic are designed to transform adult-child interactions into a relationship based on mutual love and respect.

During the 1970s, my father, Jim Fay, and Dr. Foster Cline discovered that adults who provide a strong dose of empathy before delivering consequences enjoy far more success with kids than those who precede consequences with anger or sarcasm. At the heart of Love and Logic is empathy, which is the most important skill we teach. Without empathy, the techniques of Love and Logic do not work.

When we precede consequences with a sincere dose of compassion and concern, we increase the odds that the child will view their poor decision as the “bad guy” while continuing to perceive us as the “good guy.” When children experience our love and understanding, their hearts and brains become receptive to learning from their mistakes. If they experience coldness or anger, the odds go up that their brains will respond defensively, and they’ll become resentful and rebellious.

Although empathy is powerful, many of us struggle with applying it in consistent ways. Because I can relate to this from a personal perspective, I’ve spent the last two decades grappling with deep questions over why this is the case. Some of these challenges might have to do with forgetting to remember what empathy truly is and is not.

What is empathy? Empathy is about a sincere desire to understand another’s feelings. It’s not a flippant, “I know how you feel” or “I’m so sorry.” Empathy is an honest message of caring. It’s not about manipulating or instilling guilt.

Empathy is about maintaining emotional boundaries while showing concern. It’s not about making the other person’s problem our own. Empathy is about forgiving others and ourselves, and it’s not about trying to be perfect.

Empathy is embedded in the two simple rules of Love and Logic:

• Adults set firm limits in loving ways without anger, lectures, threats, or repeated warnings.
• When a child causes a problem, the adult hands it back in loving ways.

The streaming eBook by Jim Fay, How to Discipline Kids without Losing Their Love and Respect: An Introduction to Love and Logic contains a very helpful overview of these two simple rules of Love and Logic and how they can be used to “discipline” kids effectively, with empathy and consequences. The book is based on a public television special featuring Jim Fay; it’s a great introduction if you are new to Love and Logic and a great review if you are already using Love and Logic.

Thanks for reading!
Dr. Charles Fay

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.

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

• 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

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.

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/