Ms. D'Arco's Monthly Newsletter

October was a fun month for the kids. They enjoyed the Halloween treats, decorations, and scary stories. I remember my own childhood and how my Mom would take my brother and I out to trick-or-treat while Dad waited at home eager to sample our candies! We would dump all our candy on the living room floor while Mom combed through it to make sure the pieces looked safe enough to eat and Dad looked on, pointing out which selections he'd like! It still seems like it was only yesterday......

I enjoyed marching in the annual Columbus Day Parade. I hope to see more students and families next year. We have plans to march in the Throgs Neck St. Patrick's Day Parade this year. Show your school pride and march with us.

Now that Halloween is behind us, we turn an eye to November, and with that we celebrate All Saints' Day. More on that in the section below.

The value of the month was respect for all life. As Catholics, we are called to cherish, defend, and
protect those who are most vulnerable, from the beginning to the end of their lives, and at every point in between. During the month of October, the Church asks us to reflect more deeply on the dignity of every human life.

October's students of the month are: Sophie A-M., Adeline T., Nathan G. and Gia H., Giann-Luca D-O., Kingston T., Lianna G., Dylan C., Aldi P., Kiely Rose L., Alexander B. The children will be acknowledged at our All Saints' Day Mass on November 1, 2024 at 10AM. You are encouraged to attend as there will be many 'saints' in attendance, I hear.

• 11/1 All Saints Day Mass at 10:00AM All are welcome
• 11/5 Election Day School is open Get out and vote! Snack Attack-children should bring money in an envelope with their name clearly written across it.
  
• 11/8 Early Dismissal Good luck to grade 8 as they take their TACHS exam; first quarter ends
• 11/11 Veteran's Day School Closed
• 11/12 Dress Down for a Cause; proceeds to benefit Wounded Warrior Project Suggested donation $2-$5 Wear something patriotic
  
• 11/16 Mother Daughter Tea UPK-8th Grade 10:30AM-12:30PM
• 11/18 Snack Attack
• 11/20 Report Card Conferences Noon Dismissal
• Conference: 1:00PM-3:00PM; 4:00PM-6:00PM More Information to Follow
  
• 11/22 Dress Down Day, Autumn colors $2.00
  
• Friendsgiving 5th and 6th grade 630PM-830PM Ticketed Guests
• 11/27 Thanksgiving Liturgy Mass at 10AM All are welcome
  

Resilience, what is it, why do kids need it, how do we encourage it, and how do we recognize it (or the lack thereof)? These are the questions we will begin to explore this month in our new sub-series, Parenting Insights.

Resilience can be defined as the ability to cope with challenges in a healthy way. Resilient kids (and adults) manage stress, regulate their emotions, and maintain a positive outlook despite challenges. Resiliency allows us to learn from experiences and consequently grow stronger as we embrace what life offers us.

Life is hard. There's no getting around this, friends. Things don't always go our way! I have said this many times. And sometimes, we struggle to cope. Never is this more true than now, when we are bombarded by all kinds of messages seemingly from every direction and at all hours of the day. Are today's children less resilient than previous generations? This is an on-going debate, but in my experience in education over 27 years, I would say many struggle compared to even just 10 years ago. Why?

The following are some factors:

• There’s been an increase in anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues among kids and teens today, which points to the fact that some are finding it harder to be resilient and manage challenges effectively.

• Some say that modern parenting, when it's too protective or overly involved, might actually keep kids from learning how to handle problems by themselves. If they don't go through small struggles and learn to get past them, they may not build the resilience they’ll need for bigger challenges later on. We call this helicoptering or bulldozing.
• With technology, social media, and everything being available instantly, some kids today are having a harder time developing patience and sticking with things. This can make it tough for them to deal with waiting for results or pushing through difficult situations. We call this instant gratification.
• Playtime, especially when it’s unstructured or outdoors, gives kids a chance to learn problem-solving, independence, and how to take risks. But a lot of kids today are spending more time inside with planned activities or on screens, which can limit their opportunities to build resilience by exploring and trying things out on their own.

So, how do we recognize students who are struggling to become resilient? And what can you do about it as a parent? Stay tuned for the next installment. In the meantime, GET THE KIDS OFF THE DEVICES. Eat a meal together with NO ipad or iphone in sight. Take a walk at Orchard Beach or Pelham Bay Park and admire the changing leaves. Go to Costco or BJs and let the kids help with checkout and actually converse with a cashier, look someone in the eye, and connect. You can do this!

Did you know you can translate this newsletter by bringing down the drop-down at the top of this page? Try it!

The value for the month of November is cooperation. The saint associated with this value is St. Joseph the Worker. Although St. Joseph sometimes takes a back seat to Jesus and Mary, his steadfastness and influence cannot be overlooked. St. Joseph very well might have wanted to flee at the thought of being the stepparent to God's son but in the end, he cooperated with God's plan and holds a revered spot in our faith. St. Joseph is the patron saint of all workers as he was known to be hard-working, loving, and kind. Bless our hard work, St. Joseph!

November 1st is All Saints' Day. All Saints' Day is a special holy day in the Catholic Church, celebrated every year on November 1. It’s a day to honor all the saints who have made it to heaven. Don't mix it up with All Souls' Day, which is on November 2. That day is for remembering those who have passed away but haven’t yet reached heaven.

As we celebrate All Saints' Day, it's worth remembering that many of the well-known saints didn’t start out as saints. St. Matthew was a tax collector, St. Mary Magdalene had a rough past, and St. Peter wasn’t exactly easy-going – he even hesitated about letting non-Jews become Christians. The apostles, who promised to follow Jesus no matter what, ran when he was captured.

The key takeaway? None of these saints started perfect. They grew into holiness over time, with plenty of setbacks along the way.

There's a lesson for us in this. Growing into who God wants us to be takes time. It’s a lifelong journey, and God knows that because He made us this way. So, take heart, and celebrate the little victories – each one gets us closer to home.

Lastly, I would be remiss in not remembering Thanksgiving, one of my very favorite and uniquely American holidays. Thanksgiving is a beautiful reminder to appreciate the blessings we often overlook—our families, our health, and the gift of time together. It’s a chance to reflect on how we can give back to others and how we can leave a legacy of gratitude and generosity for our children. As Christians, we’re called to give thanks in all things, remembering that every good gift comes from God. In this spirit of Thanksgiving, we’re choosing to give back by donating to the Wounded Warrior Project, which ties in nicely with Veterans Day. It's a small way to honor those who have sacrificed so much, while teaching our children the importance of gratitude, service, and remembering those who protect our freedoms. We also look forward to our annual food drive. Look for the letter in a few days!

And, as always, a prayer:

Heavenly Father, we thank You for the many blessings we often take for granted—our families, our health, and the time we have together. Help us to reflect on how we can give back and leave a legacy of gratitude for our children. In this spirit of Thanksgiving, we lift up those who have sacrificed for our freedom, especially our veterans. May our generosity as a school community to the Wounded Warrior Project and annual food drive honor remind us to live lives of thankfulness and generosity, following the example of Your love. Amen.