Brimfield Elementary Newsletter
February 7 ,2025
Mission Statement
We will foster a fun and caring environment that promotes kindness, respect, and compassion for one another, while striving to achieve academic growth.
Vision Statement
To empower one another to make a positive impact in the world.
A Message From Mr. Lynch
We wanted to remind you that there will be no school this Thursday, Friday, and Monday in observance of President’s Day. Some of this time will also allow our teachers and staff to participate in professional development, where they will learn about the newest and most effective ways to support student learning.
During the month of February, our students have been celebrating Black History Month by learning about influential individuals who have made significant contributions to our world. This past week, we focused on Martin Luther King Jr., Jackie Robinson, and Kamala Harris. We encourage you to ask your child about what they’ve learned!
Additionally, due to last week's icy weather, Parent-Teacher Conferences have been rescheduled for Thursday, February 20th. If you were previously scheduled for a conference, your time will remain the same. If you are no longer able to attend at your scheduled time, please reach out to your child’s teacher to make alternative arrangements.
Thank you for your continued support! Stay warm and enjoy the long weekend.
Counselors Corner
Hello Brimfield Falcons,
Cultivating a Growth Mindset in Your Elementary School Child: Nurturing a Love for Learning and Resilience
As parents, we want nothing more than to see our children thrive, excel, and develop the confidence to tackle life's challenges. One powerful concept that can significantly impact your child's success is the "growth mindset." Coined by psychologist Carol Dweck, a growth mindset is the belief that abilities and intelligence can be developed through effort, learning, and perseverance. By instilling a growth mindset in your elementary school child, you can help them cultivate a love for learning, resilience, and a positive attitude toward challenges.
Understanding the Growth Mindset:
In a growth mindset, children (and adults) believe that their abilities and intelligence can be improved over time with dedication and hard work. This perspective contrasts with a "fixed mindset," where individuals believe their abilities are innate traits that cannot be changed. By embracing a growth mindset, children are more likely to embrace challenges, learn from failures, and persist in the face of setbacks.
Fostering a Growth Mindset:
Here are some strategies to help you nurture a growth mindset in your elementary school child:
Praise Effort Over Outcome: When praising your child, focus on their effort, strategies, and perseverance rather than solely on results. For instance, say, "I'm proud of how hard you worked on that project" rather than just "You got an A."
Normalize Mistakes: Teach your child that mistakes are natural and valuable learning opportunities. Share your own mistakes and how you learned from them. Encourage them to see errors as stepping stones toward improvement.
Encourage Challenges: Help your child see challenges as exciting opportunities for growth. Encourage them to try new activities, hobbies, or subjects that might be initially challenging. Remind them that every challenge they overcome makes them stronger.
Teach the Power of "Yet": When your child says, "I can't do this," add the word "yet." For example, "You can't solve this math problem yet." This simple addition suggests that growth and improvement are possible with time and effort.
Emphasize Learning over Grades: Shift the focus from achieving high grades to valuing the learning process itself. Ask questions like, "What did you learn today?" instead of "What grade did you get?"
Celebrate Effort and Progress: Acknowledge and celebrate small victories along the way. Whether it's understanding a new concept, completing a challenging task, or showing improved skills, celebrate your child's progress.
Encourage Reflection: After your child faces a challenge or setback, ask them about what they've learned from the experience. Help them identify strategies that worked well and areas where they could improve.
Model a Growth Mindset: Your behavior and attitude have a significant impact on your child's mindset. Demonstrate a growth mindset by being open to learning new things, embracing challenges, and handling failures with a positive attitude.
Benefits of a Growth Mindset:
Instilling a growth mindset in your child can lead to numerous benefits:
Resilience: Children with a growth mindset are better equipped to bounce back from failures and setbacks.
Love for Learning: A growth mindset fosters a curiosity for learning. Children become more eager to explore new topics and ideas.
Self-Confidence: As children experience the rewards of their efforts, their self-confidence and self-esteem naturally increase.
Improved Performance: With a focus on effort and improvement, children are more likely to engage deeply in their learning, leading to better performance over time.
Motivation and Persistence: A growth mindset encourages children to persevere when faced with challenges, as they understand that their efforts will yield progress.
In Conclusion:
Cultivating a growth mindset in your elementary school child is an investment in their future success and well-being. By teaching them that their abilities can be developed through effort and learning, you're providing them with a valuable tool for navigating life's challenges with resilience and optimism. With your guidance and support, your child can develop not only a love for learning but also the mindset to embrace opportunities and achieve their full potential.
Mr. Berry
100th Day!
Please join us in celebrating our 100th day of School!
Friday February 21, 2025
Dress as a 100 year old
OR
Wear a 100 days shirt
SHAMROCK SHUFFLE Friday 3/14/2025 SEE BELOW IN PTA SECTION FOR MORE INFO!
CONFERENCE TIME
Parent/Teacher Conferences
Parent/ Teacher Conferences will be on Thursday, February 6th & Tuesday, February 11th from 4:00 to 7:30 pm. Teachers sent letters to all parents with conference scheduling information. If you have any questions or need further information, please contact the office
Kindergarten
Contact your teacher to schedule
1st Grade
Mrs. Mullay
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080B4FA5AB2AA3F49-54293039-mrs
Miss Harris
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080B4FA5AB2AA3F49-54293076-miss
Mrs. Shaffer
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080B4FA5AB2AA3F49-54293072-mrs
Miss Covert
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080B4FA5AB2AA3F49-54293111-miss
2nd Grade
Ms. Pope
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080B4FA5AB2AA3F49-54293158-mspope
Mrs. Swartz
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080B4FA5AB2AA3F49-54293183-mrs
Mrs. Rhoades
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080B4FA5AB2AA3F49-54293231-mrs
Mrs. Clem
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080B4FA5AB2AA3F49-54293253-mrs
3rd Grade
Miss Bellian & Mrs. Hardy
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080B4FA5AB2AA3F49-54293296-miss
Miss Anderson
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080B4FA5AB2AA3F49-54293327-miss
Mrs. Morrison
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080B4FA5AB2AA3F49-54293356-mrs
4th Grade
Mrs. Starkey & Mrs. Hackim
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080B4FA5AB2AA3F49-54293397-mrs
Mrs. Yoho & Mr. Hunsicker
Contact your teacher to schedule
5th Grade
Contact your teacher to schedule
If you would like to schedule a conference with one or all of our Specialists, please send them an email.
Jacob.Turner@fieldlocalschools.org
Katherine.Kirby@fieldlocalschools.org
YEARBOOK ORDER TIME!
Now is the time to purchase your 2024-2025 Brimfield / Suffield Yearbook.
Yearbooks are $20.00 each. To reserve your copy, order online today!
Yearbook ID Code: 2479525
Order deadline is April 3, 2025.
What's Happening in Our Classrooms
PE NEWS!
This year's rollerblading unit for all 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders will be February 24th-March 21st! Your student will be bringing home a permission slip this week. Please make sure they return the permission slip and $12 fee by February 12th. If your student has a helmet at home please send it to school with them before February 24th. They can store the helmet in their classroom until the skating unit is over. If your student does not have a helmet to bring in, I will have some that they may use. Please make sure to read the permission slip carefully as we do have some changes this year.
If you have any questions feel free to contact me at jacob.turner@fieldlocalschools.org
Thanks, Mr. Turner
Recess Fun!
SHOUT OUTS!
PBIS
Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) is a proactive approach designed to foster a positive school climate by encouraging appropriate behavior. It focuses on teaching and reinforcing clear behavioral expectations in a consistent and structured way. PBIS emphasizes prevention rather than punishment, using data to identify and support students who may need additional help. By recognizing and rewarding positive behavior, PBIS aims to improve student engagement, reduce disciplinary issues, and create a more inclusive, respectful learning environment where all students can thrive academically and socially.
At Brimfield Elementary, students help to identify positive expectations and receive incentives for appropriate behavior. Your child may be chosen to participate in the Principal’s Club, receive a red SOAR ticket, or earn a Principal’s Good News call. The staff at Brimfield works hard to use positive words with students. Instead of telling a child to “stop running” in the hallway, the direction might be to “move throughout the halls in a controlled and safe manner”. Thank you, in advance, for partnering with us and using positive statements with your child. We are very proud of our PBIS program and look forward to celebrating the great behavior of our young Falcons!
Principals Good News Call
Principals Good News Call!
Congratulations to the following students!
Mila Pickard, Will Carreira, Tierney Mason
Class Compliment parties
Class Compliment Parties
Principals Club
Principal's Club(Awarded once a month)
SOARING FALCON RED TICKETS
Falcon Certification
Congratulations to the classrooms that earned a Falcon Certification badge this week for their Spirit!
Mrs. Yoho
Mrs. Mullaly
PTA
PTA EVENTS
PTA Used Book Sale Does your child love books? If so, read below! The Brimfield PTA is hosting a “used” book sale of gently used children’s books, ranging from toddler books to chapter books. Students will shop during their library times. When: Monday 2/24/25 thru Friday 2/28/25 Where: Brimfield Elementary Library Cost of books: $0.50 each (maximum of 6 books that can be purchased) 100% of the proceeds will go back to the school! Acme Receipts We are in the final collection time frame for Acme Fresh Market receipts. Collection ends 2/15/25. So far, the Brimfield PTA has collected $3,219.79 in community cash back, in which Brimfield Elementary School will receive 5% of that total. Please send any remaining receipts, dated thru 2/15/25, in an envelope to school with your child, addressed to the Brimfield PTA.
Shamrock Shuffle Update!
Good afternoon!
The Shamrock Shuffle is Friday, March 14, 2025. We are still seeking committee members volunteers to assist with preparation for the mother/son event. If you are able to assist, please click the link below to sign up.
We are also seeking raffle baskets for the dance. If you, or a business owner you know, are interested in donating a basket, please let us know.
Thanks,
Nikki, Kim, Amy, and Tiffany
Calendar
Tuesday February 11, 2025
Conferences 4-7:30pm
Thursday February 13, 2025
Professional Development for staff
NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS
Friday February 14, 2025
NO SCHOOL!
Monday February 17, 2025
Presidents Day
NO SCHOOL!
Thursday February 20, 2025
100th Day of School!
dress as an old person or wear a 100's day shirt!
Friday February 21, 2025
SPIRIT DAY!
What's For Lunch?
(Our meats do not contain pork)
Monday February 10, 2025
Chicken Patty Sandwich/Baked Beans
OR
PBJ Bar/Cheese Stick
Tossed Salad w/Tomatoes, Assorted Fruit/Milk
Tuesday February 11, 2025
French Toast Sticks/tater Tots
OR
PBJ Bar/Cheese Stick
Tossed Salad w/Tomatoes, Assorted Fruit/Milk
Wednesday February 12 ,2025
Dominos Pizza/Corn/carrot sticks w/Dip
OR
PBJ Bar/Cheese Stick
Tossed Salad w/Tomatoes, Assorted Fruit/Milk
Thursday February 13, 2025
NO SCHOOL
Friday February 14, 2025
NO SCHOOL
TESTING DATE 2024/2025 SCHOOL YEAR
Parents Make sure your child is well rested and in school on these dates.
Fall OST - Test Date: October 28 & 29
Spring OST Grade 3 ELA- April 15,17 Grade 3 Math- April 29,30 Grade 4 ELA- April 15,17 Grade 4 Math- April 29,30 Grade 5 ELA- April 15,17 Grade 5 Math- April 29,30 Grade 5 Science- April 23,24
LUNCH TIME SIGN UPS
We will allow a limited number of parents to join students for lunch each day. Below you will find a link to sign up for a time slot. There will be 5 slots available per grade level each day (except some days that are designated no school or we have an activity happening/schedule change for the day). Due to limited seating, only one person per student may sign up. to be fair to other parents, please do not sign up for more than one slot. Due to safety reasons ONLY ADULTS (NO YOUNGER SIBLINGS) may visit the lunchroom. Also, students who are sitting with their parent for lunch MAY NOT have a friend sit with them any longer.
Kindergarten https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0D44AEAF28ABF49-51338628-kindergarten
First Grade https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0D44AEAF28ABF49-51339317-first
Second Grade https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0D44AEAF28ABF49-51339856-second
Third Grade https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0D44AEAF28ABF49-51340631-third
Fourth Grade https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0D44AEAF28ABF49-51342765-fourth
DISTRICT NEWS
BASEBALL, SOFTBALL, TRACK
baseball and softball sign ups available trough 2/14/2025 can be found
at https://www.brimfieldathleticassociation.org/
Field Youth Track registrations through 3/1/2025
GIRL SCOUTS
Please click the link below for Girl Scouts!
WE ARE HIRING
We are now hiring classified substitute workers for various roles, including Playground Monitors, Educational Aides, Cafeteria Workers, Secretarial Staff, Custodial Staff, Bus Aides, and Bus Drivers. A current BCI & FBI background check is required before applying for any substitute position. Some positions may also require an aide permit, which the Administration Office can help you obtain. You have the flexibility to work the hours that suit you, and you'll be on call to cover for regular employees. For more details or assistance with the application process, please contact Bev Bable at the Administration Office-beverly.bable@fieldlocalschools.org.
COMMUNITY NEWS
