It's Sweater Weather!
ACE Family Monthly Newsletter I November 2021
Message from your ACE Family Engagement Coordinator:
Upcoming Family Engagement Events
So... what is LIGHTS ON?
Lights On is a project of the Afterschool Alliance to promote after-school access to children nationwide. Afterschool programs nourish students with opportunities to move, eat healthy, connect with peers and trusted adults, and learn. The Afterschool Alliance is working to ensure that all children have access to affordable, quality Afterschool programs. Afterschool programs are critical to children and families today, yet the need for programs is far from being met. Lights On events usually occur in October of every year and help to bring awareness to the importance of afterschool programs such as ACE.
We can't wait to join in on the nationwide celebration of #LightsOnAfterschool. This year will be a celebration like no other as we put the spotlight on how afterschool programs are rising to the moment - supporting students, schools, and families stay safe & learning.
See the schedule below for Lights On celebration event dates:
Tuesday, November 2, 2021
- Travis World Language Academy at 5:30 pm
- Juan Seguin Elementary at 5:30 pm
Thursday, November 4, 2021
- Global Leadership Academy at Barbara Bush Elementary at 5:30 pm
- Delmas Morton Elementary School at 5:30 pm
Tuesday, November 9, 2021
- Hector P. Garcia Elementary School at 5:30 pm
- James Bowie Elementary School at 5:30 pm
Thursday, November 11, 2021
- David Daniel Elementary School at 5:30 pm
Family Engagement Events Reminder
As a gentle reminder on event dates you will be expected to pick up your student in-person inside the building and to sign them out. The reasoning for this is to ensure the safety of all of our students. During event dates your on-site coordinator will be hosting and will not be able to go outside and release students to their vehicles.
On event dates there will be a QR code inside where you can sign your student out. As much as we would love for you to stay for the events, we understand that sometimes you are unable to.
Thank you for working with us and ensuring the safety of your students!
*Also, please remember that ACE parents are required to attend TWO events every semester. Our new semester will be starting in January.
AVID and STEM Connections
During ACE's fun enrichment days there will some type of AVID and STEM activity that helps the students to think critically and be innovative. AVID and STEM connections helps students develop their skills as universal problem solvers in any academic discipline, field of study, or real-world challenge. Lessons are based on the 5E instructional model. This model shifts the instruction to a student-centered approach while moving systematically through five intentional phases: engage, explore, explain, elaborate, and evaluate.
Students will have career opportunities we cannot even imagine! While we may not exactly know what those jobs will be, it is likely they will be related to STEM disciplines.
All students must have the opportunity to be introduced to STEM experiences at an early age to build the foundation they will need for future careers. Most careers will require people to think critically and creatively, to collaborate with others, and to solve real-world problems.
STEM Enrichment Day
AVID Enrichment Day
AVID/STEM Enrichment Day
Tis the Season for Giving Thanks
Tips to Encourage Gratefulness in Children
Gratitude is something that must be taught -- and once it is, it can truly shape their lives for the better. Children who learn to practice gratitude are happier and more optimistic in the long run.
Here are some tips to foster gratitude in children:
- Model and teach gratitude. You can promote gratitude by helping children appraise the benefits they receive from others - the personal value of those benefits, the altruistic intention of the people providing them, and the cost to those people.
- Spend time with your kids and be mindful when with them. Savor every moment together, big and small, and rid yourself of distractions at such times, including your smartphone. It will give you and your child a heightened sense of appreciation for the things both of you love and your relationship.
- Support your child's autonomy. By taking ownership over their skills and talents and being responsible for developing them, children gain things to appreciate in life and make it easier to attach support from others thus inviting gratitude.
- Encourage helping others and nurturing relationships. Encourage children to be thoughtful of others, to thank others regularly, and to be cooperative, helpful, and giving.
Easy Daily Activity to Practice Gratitude Daily
Everyday when your child gets home from school have them share 3 good things that happened that day. Then share 3 good things that happened to you! This is a way to tune into the positive events in your life.
Connecting Home and School makes a great community of Leaders!
District Parent Events: Be Project Series
Be Project Series: Healthy Communication
Greetings Parents,
Do you sometimes struggle in communicating with your child? You are not alone! We all know that some days it’s easier than others. Healthy communication is important for maintaining a positive parent- child relationship and also helps young people develop healthy expectations for friendships and dating relationships. Please join us Tuesday November 2nd at 6 p.m. (English) and 6:45 p.m. (Spanish) for a virtual workshop hosted by The Family Place: Be Project where they will equip parents with the skills to model healthy communication. For the zoom link please click the Be Project picture above.
ACE Parent Committee and Volunteers
Reading Warrior Challenge
The Texas ACE Reading Challenge will begin on November 2nd and end on January 8th.This challenge will be able to include minutes read during the program and minutes read at home. This is the longest challenge yet, lasting a total of 8 weeks!
Did you know that research shows that reading 20 minutes a day promotes language, vocabulary and brain development. So parents, let's make it our goal these 8 weeks to read daily with our students or a few times a week to further their reading skills and spend quality time together.
Let's get our reading on and make GPISD ACE the one to beat!
Check out our Website!
We are happy to announce that our website is now up and running so come and check out our ACE website! Explore the parent handbook, view our staff and school directory, and view our ACE gallery. Stay updated with everything regarding the ACE after-school program all in one place! http://www.gpisd.org/ace
Important Dates - ACE Closed
Early Release and Holiday dates for November:
- Thanksgiving Break, November 22, 2021 to November 26, 2021 (no school)
Language Options
To see this newsletter in Spanish or any other language please click the translate button found to the right of the page.
Thanks!
Para ver este boletín en español o en cualquier otro idioma, haga clic en el botón de traducción que se encuentra a la derecha de la página.
¡Gracias!
Jennifer Garcia, LMSW
Email: jenniferl.garcia@gpisd.org
Website: www.gpisd.org/ace
Location: Barbara Bush Elementary School, East Springdale Lane, Grand Prairie, TX, USA
Phone: 972-522-6740