From the Desk of Dr. Sladek:
February has started by letting us know winter is HERE and not yet over. Thank you for your patience and understanding as we continue to communicate and learn through the never ending Covid-19 topic and winter weather. We just finished a week of Parent Teacher Conferences, if you did not meet with your student’s teacher or have further questions or concerns please reach out!
Kindergarten Registration is OPEN for the 2022-2023 School Year. The Meramec Valley R-3 School District offers a rich kindergarten program for children beginning at age five. In compliance with Missouri laws, children must be five years of age before August 1, 2022 to enroll in kindergarten for the 2022-2023 school year. *Please help promote and spread the word to any little kiddos in your neighborhood so we can get them registered and excited for next year!
Use the links below to enroll:
Existing Family with a New Student
The month of February, across our entire district of #MVNation, we are focusing on one of
the 8 Pillars, Respectfulness! See the back of this newsletter for:
5 Ways to Show Respect for Your Child (And Gain Their Respect in Return)
You can find all things February on our website [https://www.mvr3.k12.mo.us/o/Truman]
or at these links:
- Breakfast Menu: https://5il.co/157nh
- Lunch Menu: https://5il.co/157nj
- February Calendar: https://5il.co/157p9
What will you #BE in February?
At home try and use the districts 8 pillars of success language so that your child knows the expectations in and
out of school. Or focus on one of the characteristics as a family and see what kind of results you get!
Collaboration – Be a Team Player Communication – Be Open and Honest
I can work well with others I can use my words to say what I think/feel
Responsibility – Be in Control Respectfulness – Be Polite
I can own my words and actions I can use my manners
Creativity – Be Clever Citizenship – Be a Role Model
I can think outside the box and take risks. I can set a good example for others
Resilience – Be Brave Critical Thinking - Be a Problem Solver
I can keep trying even when things get tough I can work hard to take obstacles
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Respectfulness – Be Kind
I can treat others with kindness and courtesy
So the big question remains, in a world where common courtesies come and go, how can we teach our kids to be respectful?! Both respectful to us and to other kids and adults? The answer is that WE have to model the respect we hope to see from our kids.
The truth is, you may feel like you’re already doing that and the respect still isn’t reciprocated. If that’s the case for you, stay with me, my friend. As you’ll learn in this article, there are a few ways even well-intentioned parents accidentally undermine the development of this mutually respectful relationship without even knowing it.
The good news is we can make a few simple tweaks to the way we interact with our children that will ENCOURAGE a mutually respectful relationship. When we make an intentional effort to model a respectful attitude for our children, they are more likely to mimic it.
Here are 5 ways to show respect, develop your child’s capability and avoid power struggles:
1. Ask Fewer Questions
2. Wait to Respond
3. Let Your Child Own His/Her Own Body
4. Let Your Child Answer for Herself/Himself
5. Show Respect for Your Child’s Eventual “Readiness”
By implementing these 5 strategies, you will show your kids you respect them and you will empower them to have a greater sense of capability and autonomy.
As an added bonus, when children feel valued and capable, they are less likely to engage in power struggles.
Respect is a two-way street and when you choose to model mutual respect, you’ll be well on your way to raising respectful children.
For more details and examples regarding each of the 5 ways above click here/search this link to view the entire article: https://www.positiveparentingsolutions.com/parenting/5-ways-to-show-respect-for-your-child
Dr. Jenna Sladek
Truman Elementary Principal
636-346-6156