Welcome to November! It seems like only yesterday we were kicking off 2024, and now we are beginning to think about 2025!
November is Family Engagement Month, a month to celebrate the important role parents and families play in the lives of their children's education and well-being. We are thankful for our George Welch families, who take on an active role in their child's education. So what does family engagement mean? Actually, it can vary. Parents and guardians who come to events at school such as Open House, Meet the Teacher, Literacy or Curriculum Nights, PTO meetings, Parent Conference, and volunteering at school or in the classroom have a positive impact on their child's proficiency in school. It also increases their emotional engagment in school, make students more likely to enjoy school and actively participate in school. Family engagement can also take place in the home when you talk about what students are learning and what's happening in school. Helping with homework and encouraging students to read have shown to support academic growth and learning and a positive opinion of school. Life is busy, and we know you can't make every single school event, but we appreciate all that you do to support your child's education and our school as a whole!
November will be a fairly quiet month for programming at school compared to October and December. Students will be out of school on Tuesday, November 5 for Election Day/Veteran's Day. This will ensure the safety and security of our students because most schools are also polling stations. We will offer Santa pictures through Cowen Studios on Wednesday, November 20, and Family Movie night will be Thursday, November 21 at 6PM. PTO will be pre-selling hamburger dinners; see the QR codes below to order and pay!
Students will be out of school for the Thanksgiving Holiday Break Monday, November 25 - Friday, November 29! I know it is early but I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday and have the opportunity to appreciate all of the blessings in your life!
Leave the worry of dinner behind on Thursday, November 16! It's Outdoor Family Movie Night at George Welch, and PTO is pre-selling hamburger meals! You will get a hamburger will all the trimmings on the side, chips, a cookie, and a canned drink for $10! The sale will remain open until 10PM, Tuesday, November 19. You can pay through PayPal or Venmo. Be sure to include your first and last name and number of plates ordered. (i.e. Veronicia Wood - 4)
This month we are focusing on Rule #2 Fuel Your Ride With Positive Energy! Students are learning that life isn't always lemonade and how to combat those lemons! We are focusing on what worked today or what was a highlight of the day. Students share their successes with their friends and identify what makes them happy when times are rough and tough! Parents, this is a great way to engage your child, especially following a tough loss, a bad choice, or disappointment. Maybe everyone needs to take a quick loop around the neighborhood for fresh air, or maybe a family popcorn and movie night will turn the grumps away! Ask your child, "What was one win or highlight today?" Model it for them - you are their first teachers!
Our word for the month of November is Integrity, which is defined as being honest and having strong moral character. Students will be learning about what integrity is and how to demonstrate integrity in our everyday lives this month. Our Wrangler Way awards will be chosen based on the student who best exemplifies integrity.