This month is all about Perseverance. One way to think about Perseverance is “pushing yourself through challenges and obstacles.” We all experience challenges in our lives. We all have moments when we feel like we can’t do it or that we want to give up on a big task. It is important to develop tools that help us work through those challenges in order to grow in those moments instead of giving up. Throughout the school, students will be developing skills like focusing, organizing, and goal-setting.

You might hear your student's teacher speak about perseverance in terms of "productive struggle".

The more we actively work with challenging new material over time the more we strengthen associations with prior learning. As a result, we better organize and integrate learning into our existing knowledge via interconnected neural networks or schemas. Building robust, lasting connections between new and old information requires conscious effort to repeatedly pull the newer information from memory, including making mistakes along the way and correcting them through feedback and further practice.

Productive struggle also enhances students’ metacognitive self-regulation—the ability to set learning goals, plan strategies to meet those goals, monitor progress, and know when and how to ask for help along the way. Critical thinking requires these types of self-regulation and thought processes.

As parents, it is often tempting to rescue our students from the frustrations of productive struggle. However, encouraging and celebrating your students when they show grit and determination will result in a more successful learner over time.

Here are 3 “PurposeFull Pursuits” for you to complete together. How many can you do this month?

#1- Review Perseverance as a family! Remember that Perseverance is pushing yourself to work through challenges and obstacles. Here’s a fun challenge: Can you fit your whole body through an index card? While it sounds impossible, with the correct folding and cutting technique, you can make it happen! Give each family member a 4x6 index card and a pair of scissors. Ready for the answer? You can find the directions and solution online by searching: “Fit Your Body Through an Index Card.”

#2 - We have all demonstrated Perseverance in our lives. Many of us have seen people practice Perseverance in ways that have inspired us. Stories are powerful tools for connecting as a family. Protect time this week to share stories about Perseverance with each other (you can use the story prompts to get started). At the end of the conversation, think of 1 way you can practice Perseverance this week. Story Prompts: ● A time I (or someone else) showed Perseverance was _____. ● An act of Perseverance that changed/challenged me was _____.

#3 - Consistency is hard. Have each person in the family commit to 1 thing they will do each day this week. Maybe it is flossing, drinking a certain amount of water, getting to bed at a certain time, limiting screen time, or exercising. Create a place where each person can tally their progress and see who can keep their streak going the longest!

Greetings Bonney Lake Elementary Parents/Guardians,

Please join us for our 2nd Annual Regional Elementary Curriculum Showcase*

When: Tuesday, February 7th

Time: 5:30-7:00 PM

Location: Maple Lawn Elementary

Address: 230 Wood Ave. Sumner, WA 98390

This district event will feature:

• Our Elementary core curriculum in Language Arts, Math, and Social Emotional Learning for each grade level as well as intervention materials and additional curriculum used to support our students in Special Education.

• An opportunity to view our New 5th grade Human Growth and Development (puberty) and HIV Videos

• Opt out forms will be available after viewing the videos for current 5th grade students.

• Meet and talk with some of our Bonney Lake Elementary teachers as well as teachers in nearby SBLSD schools.

• Obtain information about 2023-24 Kindergarten Registration and programs like READY for Kindergarten.

• Visit resource tables hosted by elementary specialists in PE, Music, and STEM.

• Light refreshments available

If you are unable to attend this event, please consider attending our other regional Curriculum Showcase:

Thursday, January 26th at Victor Falls Elementary- 5:30-7:00 PM

11401 188th Ave Ct E Bonney Lake, WA 98391

*This is an adult event to provide parents with information about the elementary curriculum.

There will be no activities for children nor childcare available.

BLE will celebrate the MLK holiday at our assembly on Monday, January 30th. Our 4th and 5th grade student leaders are planning a thoughtul tribute.

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