VE District Newsletter

As we say goodbye to 2024 and hello to 2025, I'd like to take a little time to reflect on the past and gaze briefly into the future. In past years, I've chosen to write this newsletter before December 31, and although that helped me check something off of my to-do list, it lost the symbolism of the moment -- to be in the last day of the year that will soon close out. There's something special about writing this today, at the end, but also at the beginning. I like the duality of the moment - how we can be in two things at once. We are in a moment of finality, but at the same time ready to begin anew. This is the beautifully complex nature of the human experience. Maybe you're experiencing this feeling of duality too, and I hope you're content with letting everything peacefully exist in you at the same time, at least for today.

At the beginning of a new year, it's common for us all to experience the worry for the challenges we are undoubtedly going to experience. The power of perspective allows us to change this worry into eager anticipation, because we know that we become nothing without the obstacles that sharpen the blade. A recent newsletter I subscribe to quoted Epictetus, wondering what would have happened to Hercules had he not faced adversity:

"What would have become of Hercules, do you think, if there had been no lion, hydra, stag, or boar -- and no savage criminals to rid the world of? What would he have done in the absence of such challenges? Obviously, he would have just rolled over in bed and gone back to sleep." -- Epictetus

In short, we wouldn't know Hercules. As humans, we're here to take the challenges. If we, as adults, lead by example -- if we face our challenges with calm, steady minds -- what better example can we give to our kids? Sure, we want our kids' lives to be rid of the obstacles that could distract them from what we think is most important at the moment, but what if the most important lessons they could learn at each stage of development come from facing their obstacles head on?

Life is long. A life without both many high points and low points is both silly and unrealistic to expect. It's normal, and your kids need to believe that too. To try create a life of no challenges for your kids is robbing them of the necessary lessons they need to grow.

So let this new year energize you to be both at once: afraid to move into the unknown, but with the calm and steady hand to meet the perils of the unknown. To confidently turn fear into calm determination, and to show your kids how to do the same. You've done it before, and you will do it again. It's what we're here to do. Cheers to what is bound to be a great year ahead.

How can it be December already?! Time is sure flying by at VE Schools and we have accomplished so much in this first part of our school year. As we are soon approaching our winter break I wanted to encourage you all to take this time to slow down, be present and enjoy the small moments at home with your children. I plan to use this break to read, bake and put away the to do list at home. If any of you are readers, I wanted to take a moment to share what I’m currently reading as a parent and educator, along with a few key takeaways that I found particularly interesting, in hopes that you might find them helpful too. The Whole-Brain Child by Daniel J. Siegel and Tina Payne Bryson is an insightful guide on parenting using brain science to help children develop emotional intelligence and resilience. The authors explain how understanding a child's brain development can aid in managing behaviors, teaching skills, and building positive relationships. The book presents 12 practical strategies to integrate the different parts of a child’s brain—such as the logical left and the emotional right, the "upstairs brain" (higher-order thinking) and "downstairs brain" (basic survival instincts)—to support balanced and healthy responses to life’s challenges.

One takeaway that I find to be useful as a parent and an educator is the science behind the left brain and the right brain. The left brain is logical, literal, and focused on language and facts, while the right brain is more emotional, imaginative, and intuitive. Both sides of the brain are necessary for balanced thinking, but young children tend to operate more from their right brain, where emotions are strong and responses are often immediate. This is why young children might have big emotional reactions—they're more attuned to feelings than logic in certain situations.

When a child experiences strong emotions, it's often the right brain dominating, making them feel overwhelmed or unable to think clearly. At these times, trying to reason with a child using only logic (the left brain) often doesn’t work, as they aren't receptive to rational thinking in those emotional moments. Instead, the authors suggest that parents or educators first connect with the child’s right brain through empathy and validation—acknowledging their emotions with understanding. Once the child feels understood, they're more likely to calm down and be open to solutions or learning, engaging their left brain in a way that helps them process the situation.

This approach helps children develop what Siegel and Bryson call "whole-brain integration," which teaches them to connect their emotional and logical sides and ultimately respond more thoughtfully. By promoting awareness of these two parts of the brain, parents and educators can better support children in managing emotions, thinking critically, and navigating challenges. Again, I find this to be very helpful as a parent myself and wanted to share. I hope you all have a wonderful holiday season!

Finals are underway and we are in the final week before Christmas break. Our Christmas break will run from December 23 rd to January 6 th (our first day back). I hope that this extended break allows students, staff, and families time to enjoy good food, great company, and time well spent. Rest, relax, and prepare for the final push to the end of the school year! We have so many things to be thankful for as a school community and I am very thankful to work in this place with these people (students, families, staff, and communities).

Our students work hard and want to learn and grow each day. They are kind, compassionate, and want to do well academically and otherwise. Our families are supportive, engaged, and committed to helping their students grow. Our staff is caring, dedicated, and committed to having high standards for kids and supporting them in reaching their full potential. Our communities pitch in to help, pour into our students whenever possible, and provide outstanding opportunities for our students to grow outside of the classroom. Unfortunately, the sad reality is that these things are not true everywhere and not all students are as fortunate as ours. As we go through life, we tend to focus on the negative, get caught up in our frustrations, and lose focus on what is most important. I know I am certainly guilty of this!

Especially during the holiday season, I hope you take a moment to reflect on the positive, what is going well, and the tremendous growth your student has demonstrated because of their hard work. All of this growth and learning is not possible without collaboration between all stakeholders!

One thing that becomes more evident to me each passing year is that just about every person I interact with is doing the best they can with what they have and where they are. Assuming positive intent, looking for the good in people especially when it is hard, and believing that deep down people are good are things we all would do well to remember and things we should teach/demonstrate to our kids.

Surely 2025 will have ups and downs just like every year does, but it brings me great inner peace to

know that whatever challenges we face, we face with this group of people - together! Whatever

successes and good times we have, we do with this group of people – together! Thank you for allowing us the opportunity to educate your children and be an integral part of their lives! It is a responsibility we take very seriously! Happy Holidays!

December is the month for focusing on Kindness. How appropriate that is. If you look at definitions, kindness is mainly defined as the quality of being friendly, generous and considerate.

Oftentimes kindness is interchangeable with nice. When someone asks you to describe someone we often use the word nice but in reality I think kind is a much better word as it means instead of doing just the minimum for someone you are intentionally doing an act of kindness that is voluntary. It’s being kind not only when it’s easy but more importantly when it’s hard or difficult.Usually kindness is a choice YOU make to do a kind gesture, be thoughtful or helpful without expecting anything in return.

Kindness is love when you are selfless, caring and compassionate. It takes lots of practice to be kind to understand it and feel it. You can share love/kindness with others through a smile, a nice word, an unexpected deed or a planned surprise. When we do these things we pass along hope, peace and make people feel good plus we are able to show the power of kindness

Kindness is also defined as grace. We are not perfect but human therefore it’s important to give not only ourselves but others grace when mistakes are made. It often causes a chain reaction in others however all it takes is one person to start it. One small kind act will have a ripple effect and you just might be surprised how much better you feel if you’re the one to start it.

How can we teach kindness? How can we encourage more of it?

• Be kind to yourself

• Practice, practice, practice

• Be mannerly

• Positive reinforcement when it happens

When you think of what kindness means to you, what words or actions come to mind?

One of the most important and meaningful things we can do with our lives, however, is to actively BE KIND.

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year! We hope everyone enjoys the holiday season and are excited to see what 2025 will bring our way! December was filled with a few Titan Tributes, fulfilling staff requests, providing cookies for the Elementary Concert, and sponsoring the staff Christmas Party! For any questions or to find out how you can be part of VE PTO, please reach out to Brittany Nelson at Brittany.Nelson15@hotmail.com

The 3-on-3 Tournament was a big success! We had 24 teams from the region come to our

Edinburg and Crystal schools on Saturday, December 7 th to play some ball. Our high school girls

and boys basketball teams were once again instrumental in helping us host this fun event! The

players all rotated working concessions, taking money at the gate, serving as referees for the

games and running the clocks. They all did such a fantastic job! A HUGE thank-you goes out to

all our players, Coach Larson and Coach Biggers, AD Kameron Johnson, and all those who

generously donated bars for both locations.

Since last month:

 Warm-up/travel gear for all boys and girls high school basketball players

 Christmas party funds for all schools!

o Elementary school gets to see a movie at the theatre in Park River

o Middle school will get a fun day at Choice Fitness in GF

o JH and HS are having a fun day in their building with food and prizes for bingo,

ping pong, ugly sweater contest, etc.

 Concession supplies and pizza and breadsticks provided for all school-sanctioned

student groups working concessions