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

because every child's future counts.

Hello Opportunity Families!

As we approach the holiday season, I want to take a moment to reflect on the joy, growth, and accomplishments we’ve shared together this year. Our students have worked hard, our teachers have inspired, and our families have supported us every step of the way. It’s this partnership that makes Opportunity such a wonderful place to learn and grow.

The holiday season is a time to celebrate, connect, and recharge. I hope this season brings you and your loved ones moments of warmth, laughter, and togetherness. Whether it’s enjoying festive traditions, creating new memories, or simply relaxing, may this time be filled with joy and peace.

As we prepare to welcome a new year, I’m excited about all the possibilities 2025 holds for our school community. Together, we’ll continue to inspire a love of learning, foster kindness, and support every student in reaching their full potential.

Thank you for being a vital part of our school family. Wishing you a joyous holiday season and a happy, healthy New Year!

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

Student cell phone use during school has an impact on student learning and wellbeing. CVSD is developing consistent guidelines for student cell phone use. Your input is valuable. All secondary students (grades 6-12) will receive a separate survey. Parents may fill out this quick 5-minute survey before Monday, December 16.

Parent Survey: https://forms.gle/ucg2rrSgGCDC3Wcf8

Dance will be on Wednesdays for grades 1-2 and will begin on Jan 15th.

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0D44A8AA2BA4FBC43-54007032-after

Dance will be on Thursdays for grades 3-5 and will begin on Jan 16th.

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0D44A8AA2BA4FBC43-54007307-after

After-school yoga for 4th and 5th-grade students will be starting in January. Monday/Wednesday or Tuesday/Thursday sessions are available. If your child would like to take part, please click on the link and sign up for a spot.

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/805044BA4A82EA7FB6-53895971-after

Talking with Our Kids During Difficult Times: Listening is the Key

During difficult times, whether in our family or in the world, kids need the reassurance that they can speak with their parents about their feelings and opinions—this goes a long way toward helping our kids cope. It also decreases the odds that they will feel compelled to hide their feelings or possibly act out to gain our attention.

There are many important topics that we need to discuss with our kids. However, have you noticed that very soon after you start talking about something important with your kid, you end up in lecture mode and are the only one talking? This tendency can be attributed to our “Lecture Lobe.” Most of us have one. It’s a part of our brain devoted exclusively to lecturing kids about being more responsible, eating green stuff, getting a good education, staying away from all things that might “put your eye out,” etc.

Listening to our youngsters’ opinions, even when they’re silly, strange, or downright scary, dramatically increases the odds that they’ll listen when it’s our turn to speak. Let’s think about this. Do children have control over whether they listen to us, even when we don’t give them this control? You bet! Whenever we pretend to have control over things that we clearly do not, then we erode their respect for us and create a battle they cannot resist.

Here are a few tips to experiment with when talking to your kids about important matters:

• Have plenty of short discussions rather than a few long ones.
• Listen with empathy and compassion.
• Ask open-ended questions that are thoughtful and sincere.
• Ask permission to share your thoughts.
• Don’t fall into the trap of trying to force them into a conversation if they refuse to talk.
• 
  

As with all Love and Logic techniques, we must remember that listening with empathy is crucial. When I ask people to describe the parents and teachers who they respected the most as kids, they almost always mention something like, “They were always there to listen.”

Listening means love.
It means that we sincerely care about other’s opinions and emotions.

Building a resilient family establishes a foundation for weathering stressful events in the world around us. Our new audio package, 7 Ways To Create A Respectful, Responsible, and Resilient Family - Aud , can help you create a resilient family.

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

Hands of Hope – Season of Giving

Hands of Hope provides support throughout the year for opportunities that would otherwise be out of reach. A current CVSD family could not afford a GSL card to watch their children participate in athletics. Another could not afford cleats and other soccer gear. Hands of Hope provided funds for these CVSD families to overcome these barriers. Find out more info and how to participate at givebutter.com/CVSDHandsofHope

Hands of Hope – Season of Giving

Unforeseen challenges can make getting an education difficult. Hands of Hope helps CVSD families overcome barriers to fully participate in our community and stay in school. Last year, a family lost their shared home when the homeowner passed away, rendering them without a steady residence. Hands of Hope funds provided a gas card while new transportation options and housing were established, helping the students stay in their community school. Find out more info and how to participate at givebutter.com/CVSDHandsofHope

Hands of Hope – Season of Giving

Hands of Hope provides support throughout the year for opportunities that would otherwise be out of reach for CVSD families. Find out more info and how to participate at givebutter.com/CVSDHandsofHope

• December 23-January 3 - Winter Break
• January 6 - Return to School
• January 17 - Martin Luther King Jr. Assembly - 10 am - Gym
• January 20 - Martin Luther King Jr. Day - NO SCHOOL

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/