A Note from Mrs. McCurry
Dear LOM Families,
Happy Fall to all of you. This time of year is by far one of my favorites, both personally and as an educator. We are only a short time into our school year and yet so much learning has already taken place. It's an exciting time to celebrate the small wins and look forward to accomplishing those big goals everyone has set for this year.
As we near the end of the first quarter, we are gearing up for Fall Parent-Teacher Conferences on October 10th and 11th. These conferences are a great opportunity to have one on one time with your child's teacher to find out about how your student is progressing so far and to ask questions about how you can support learning from home. Our goal this fall is to have as close to 100% participation as possible. All conferences will be scheduled through ParentVue. Keep an eye out for more information coming soon from your child's teacher, but please feel free to ask questions in the meantime.
We are working hard to grow each of our students to their fullest potential and we value and appreciate your teamwork in helping us do that. We look forward to having you here for conferences as part of that team effort.
Yours truly,
Shae McCurry
Lincoln O.M. Principal
We have been happy to see that most of our students have had great attendance since the start of the school year! September has been Attendance Awareness Month and with it being at the beginning of the school year, it is a great time to reflect on the connection between being at school at least 90% of the time and academic success. So much instruction is given in a single day, offering up multiple opportunities for learning. Research shows that less than 90% attendance can lead to low academic growth and achievement, and can even lead to dropping out of school in later years. Learning in the classroom is often sequential, leaving absent students a step behind their classmates.
Illness, family, and other events may happen throughout the year, however, we want to stress the importance of students being at school, on time, and ready to learn every day.
For more information about attendance, please click the link below.
In Counseling for 3rd -5th graders we’ve dove into an exciting topic: the fascinating world of the brain, focusing on two key areas—the prefrontal cortex, (our thoughtful turtle) and the amygdala, (our protective porcupine). Understanding how these parts work can help us support our children’s emotional and cognitive development.
The Prefrontal Cortex (Thoughtful Turtle): Our Decision-Making Center
The prefrontal cortex is located at the front of the brain and is crucial for higher-order functions. It helps us with:
Decision-Making: It plays a key role in evaluating options and making choices.
Impulse Control: This area helps us think before we act, which is essential for self-regulation.
Social Interactions: It aids in understanding social cues and managing relationships.
Encouraging activities that promote critical thinking and problem-solving can help strengthen this part of the brain.
The Amygdala (Protective Porcupine): The Emotional Alarm System
The amygdala, often referred to as the brain's emotional hub, is involved in processing emotions, particularly fear and pleasure. Its functions include:
Emotional Responses: It helps us react to threats and challenges, triggering the fight-or-flight response.
Memory Formation: The amygdala plays a role in how we remember emotionally charged events.
Supporting emotional development through open conversations and providing a safe space for expressing feelings can enhance the amygdala’s functioning.
Connecting with Your Child
Here are a few ways you can engage with your child around these concepts:
Discuss Emotions: Encourage your child to talk about their feelings. Ask questions like, “How did that make you feel?” or “What do you think you could do next time?”
Play Strategy Games: Engage in games that require planning and strategy, which can help strengthen the prefrontal cortex.
Mindfulness Activities: Practice mindfulness exercises together, which can improve emotional regulation and awareness.
Explore Nature: Take time outdoors to promote calmness and reduce stress, positively affecting both the amygdala and prefrontal cortex.
