Thursday, November 28, 2013

Thursday, November 28, 2013

This month we celebrated the Character Trait of Empathy. I was telling the Kindergarten parents that I was reading an article of compassion and empathy and thought I would share a couple of strategies for learning these skills. The author, Sally Kempton, says to develop real compassion you must actively feel what the other person feels. If the person is in pain, you must feel his/her pain and wish the pain ends for that person. Furthermore, do something kind for the person. The key to feeling compassion and empathy is to feel a connection to the person.

Discussions around making connections with people is a good entry point when talking to kids. If your child is mad at someone, ask them to discuss things they have in common with the person.  He/she may begin to make some small connections with the person, leading to a more compassionate view about the person.  These conversations do require lots of adult guidance depending on the age of the child. 

 I wish the Choir good luck at the Marlie's game. It should be a fun time!

December-Kindness and Caring

2nd-Parent/Student Council Stonegate Gift Baskets Begin 
9th-Grade 8s visit ECI
10th-Sr Boys VBall Conference Finals 
11th-Scientist in the School-Grade 8
16th-Grade 6-8 Middle School Concert @ 6:30 p.m.; Delivery of Stonegate Gift Baskets 
17th-Carol Singing-morning; Sr Boys Vball City Finals 
18th-1-8 Sharing Assembly; Pizza Day
19th-Kindie Sharing Assembly; Carol Singing-afternoon 
20th-Holidays Begin

January-Teamwork
 6th-School Begins
9th-Author Visit
15th-Officer Rich visits Grade 1 and 2
24th-PA Day
30th-Kindie Sharing Assembly; Primary Concert
31st-1-8 Sharing Assembly; Pizza Day

February-Fairness
27th-1-8 Sharing Assembly
28th-Kindie Sharing Assembly; Pizza Day

March-Honesty
7th-PA Day
10th-14th-March Break
19th-Officer Rich visits Grade 5 and 6
27th-1-8 Sharing Assembly
28th-Kindie Sharing Assembly; Pizza Day

April-Co-operation
24th-1-8 Sharing Assembly
25th-Kindie Sharing Assembly; Pizza Day

May-Integrity
19th-Victoria Day
26th-EQAO Begins
29th-1-8 Sharing Assembly
30th-Kindie Sharing Assembly; Pizza Day

June-Perseverance
6th-PA Day
18th-1-8 Sharing Assembly
19th-Kindie Sharing Assembly
23rd-Report Cards Sent Home
27th-Last Day for Students; Lunch on the Lawn (Last Pizza Day)