An Update from Hough Elementary

Happy New Year! I hope your family had a fun holiday break and there was time to recharge and rest as well! As we dive into 2025, we’re excited to introduce this month’s Character Strong theme: perseverance. In January, we’ll explore what it means to keep going, even when things get tough, and how we can encourage a "never give up" mindset in school and at home.

What is Perseverance - Perseverance is pushing yourself to work through challenges and obstacles. It’s about embracing mistakes as opportunities to learn and grow, and understanding that success often requires persistence and effort over time.

How We’ll Practice Perseverance at School

• Discuss stories of perseverance: From famous inventors to relatable everyday examples, students will hear how persistence leads to progress.

• Set personal goals: Teachers will guide students in creating small, manageable goals to practice sticking with tasks.

• Celebrate effort, not just outcomes: We’ll emphasize the importance of trying, even if the result isn’t perfect.

• Learn strategies to stay positive: Activities like breathing exercises and self-talk will help students manage frustration and refocus when challenges arise.

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How Families Can Support at Home - You can help reinforce perseverance by:

1. Modeling perseverance: Share your own experiences of sticking with a challenge and what helped you push through.

2. Encouraging problem-solving: Instead of offering solutions right away, ask questions to guide your child through figuring it out.

3. Celebrating effort: Praise your child’s hard work and progress, no matter how small the steps may seem.

4. Reading together: Books that promote a growth mindset and effort.

Let’s make January a month of growth, grit, and great achievements!

Congratulations (belated) to Mrs. Jagielski's fourth graders for being awarded the traveling trophy before winter break.

Congratulations (belated) to the November Athletes of the Month.They regularly demonstrated the Character Strong traits in P.E. class.

Back Row: Om P., Keerthana M., Demis N., Griffin W., Eliza B.

Middle Row: Isla M., Weston B., Owen R., Ella Z.

Front Row: Lane K., Charlie S., Gretchen K. , George M., Nura A.

Saturday, February 8th!

On Saturday, February 8th, seven dancing teams will take to the stage to compete in Bacoa's 8th installment of Dancing with the Barrington Stars.

Come cheer on your favorite dancers (many have ties to Hough!) as they participate in this friendly competition - all in the name of raising money for Bacoa. You can vote for your favorite dancers in advance and/or purchase tickets for this entertaining evening.

Snowball Dance - Get ready for a night of fun at our Snowball Dance on Friday, January 24th from 5:30-7:30 PM. This exciting event is for both kids and adults, featuring awesome games with prizes, and amazing music to keep everyone dancing. Don’t miss out on this winter wonderland of fun! Registration will be open next week.

Hough Fundraiser Save the Date - Join us for an unforgettable evening of fun, giving, and community at our School Fundraiser on Saturday, April 5th from 5:00 - 10:30 PM at The Onion Brewery. Mark your calendars and start working on a sitter – more information coming soon!

POP-Packs of Plenty - Click here for newly added January and February packing dates. Your help is greatly appreciated!

-Tuesday, January 7th: Winter Chess Club 2:45-3:45 PM & 4th/5th Grade Drama Club Registration opens

-Wednesday, January 8th: 2nd-3rd Grade STEM Club Registration opens 8:00 AM

-Thursday, January 9th: 5th Grade Basketball Games (girls at Lines & boys at Hough) 3:00-5:00 PM

-Monday, January 13th: 5th Grade Basketball Games (girls at Hough &boys at NB) 3:00-5:00 PM & 4th/5th Grade Spelling Bee 6:00 PM

-Tuesday, January 14th: Winter Chess Club 2:45-3:45 PM

-Thursday, January 16th: 2nd/3rd Grade STEM Club begins 2:45-3:30 PM, 5th Grade Basketball (girls at Hough & boys at Grove) & PTO Meeting 6:30-7:30 PM

-Friday, January 17th: Drama Club (musical) sign-up closes