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

because every child's future counts.

OES Families,

If you haven't schedule a Parent/Teacher Conference, please do so as soon as possible! Conferences will begin March 28-April 4. Please take a moment to schedule a conference for your child/children as spring is a fabulous time to discuss the progress that has been made this school year. Here is the link: https://www.signupgenius.com/tabs/13575DE05A2CEEEC2A81-opportunity5

We have noticed several students coming to school wearing furry ears and tails. Please remind your student that these are not allowed to be worn at school. We are finding that they are becoming a distraction to learning. Students are only allowed to wear items of this sort on our school wide dress up days.

Our 5th graders participated in the AMAZING SHAKE COMPETITION today at school. We had judges from local businesses talk to our kids about how these soft skills are essential as children grow and begin networking with others. Our students learned what a handshake should look like, including providing eye contact, smile, introducing your self, grasp, and overall confidence. Our students were amazing! The judges were very impressed with our students' respect and confidence throughout today's events. See the photos below that capture our AMAZING SHAKERS!

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

As always, thank you for your continued support—we love partnering with you to help our students thrive!

Best regards,

Mrs. Spence & Mr. Howard

Ms. Lippi and Mrs. Svelmoe wanted to kindly ask for your help in reminding your child to bring their PE shoes on health and fitness days. Many students are wearing boots to class, which leave significant marks on the gym floor. Proper athletic shoes not only help keep our floors clean but also ensure your child can move safely and comfortably during class. We truly appreciate your support in helping us maintain a clean and safe space for all our students!

Ms. Lippi & Mrs. Svelmoe

Shaping Your Child’s Self-Concept

Over the past several decades, psychologists have placed huge emphasis on the importance of having a positive self-concept. Rightly so! How we feel about ourselves may be the single most important factor affecting how motivated we are to succeed in school, the types of friends we select, and whether we make responsible decisions in our lives.

Due to its undisputed importance, people have spent tremendous energy trying different approaches to give kids good self-concepts. Listed below are just a few of the many tactics that have created selfish kids rather than ones with a good sense of self:

• Constant praise
• Ensuring that they are always the center of attention
• Making sure that they never encounter any hardships
• Buying them everything they want
• Rescuing them from the consequences of their misbehavior
• Setting no limits so that they can “express their creativity”

There’s only one approach that really works, and it’s based on the age-old truism:

The best way to feel good is to do something good.

When parents place a high emphasis on good and respectful behavior, children look at themselves and think, “I act pretty darn good and responsible. I must be pretty darn good and responsible.”

True self-concept is developed when children encounter struggles, are taught how to overcome those struggles, and see themselves acting in respectful and responsible ways. Stated quite simply, self-concept is an inside job. It’s largely based on what the child believes they can do themselves.

Shaping Self-Concept, one of our most popular audios, teaches a very special type of love. It’s the type that allows our kids to struggle, lets them work through their trials, and guides them toward independence instead of insecurity. This love can be expressed daily by:

• Allowing kids to wrestle with tying their shoes, instead of automatically jumping in and doing it for them.
• Letting them dress themselves, even if the clothes they choose don’t match.
• Teaching them how to talk to their teachers about problems at school, rather than always doing it for them.
• Expecting that they speak up and order meals for themselves, instead of ordering for them.
• Having them call the insurance company and arrange for their own car insurance, instead of doing it all for them.
• Letting them do most of the work required to complete their college applications, rather than preparing all the paperwork for them.
• Remembering that the more things they learn to do for themselves, the stronger and more confident they will become!

In our audio, Shaping Self-Concept: Encouraging Kids to Take Risks and Learn, my father, Jim Fay, provides more tips for helping your kids develop the type of unselfish and humble confidence required to enjoy success in life. You’ll also hear how this confidence dramatically increases a child’s motivation to do well in school. Isn’t it ironic that our kids must face some tough times so that they can live confident, joyful lives?

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

• Tuesdays/Fridays - Dynamic PANDAmonium Choir Practice @ 8:10
• Wednesdays/Thursdays - DANCE CLASS @ 3:15
• 2/18-3/27 Tuesdays/Thursdays - 5th Grade Crochet Club - 3:15-4:30
• 2/24-3/26 Mondays/Wednesdays - 2/3 Grade Yoga - 3:15-4:15
• 2/25-3/27 Tuesdays/Thursdays - 2/3 Grade Yoga - 3:15-4:15

• March 1 - 2025-26 Kindergarten Registration Begins
• March 4 - 3rd Grade Music Performance - 1:05 pm & 6:30 pm - Gym
• March 5 - 2nd Grade Music Performance - 2:30 pm & 6:30 pm - Gym
• March 7 - NO SCHOOL
• March 10-14 - Classified Support Staff Appreciation Week
• March 12 - PTO Meeting - 5:30 - Art & Community Room
• March 14 - 5th Grade Amazing Shake Competition
• March 20 - STREAM Night
• March 21 - Dance Performance - 9:30 & 4:00 - Gym
• March 28-April 4 - Parent/Teacher Conferences - 12:30 Dismissal
• April 7-11 - SPRING BREAK - 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/