Teacher Margaret's "View From My Window" - October 16th

Dear Westfield,

Our second family council meeting will be next week. In the first meeting a parent shared their appreciation that during the school day, we are personal device free for all of our students. Since then, I have heard from others in our community who would like us to consider being a school community that agrees to always keep our children off of social media like Snapchat and TikTok, as well as online gaming platforms like Roblox and Fortnite until they are at least 14 years old. In a recent OpEd for the Washington Post, Jeanne Twenge makes the case for policy and parents banding together to help us protect our children. She points out all the flaws and friction companies use to make parental controls on devices ineffective.  I look forward to our discussion. It takes a community to ensure our children flourish.

Last week, I had the deep pleasure of reading Owl Moon to PreK and Kindergarten students. This is one of my all-time favorite books. My aunt, a former teacher, gave it to me with a message to read it to my then elementary-age children. I have always and continue to read with my now adult children.  For instance, my youngest daughter and I are reading Matt Haig’s The Life Impossible.  I encourage you to read alongside your children - create a lifetime practice together. Our fourth-grade students are finishing up Where the Mountain Meets the Moon, while 5th Grade is completing Hello Universe. I have read and enjoyed these books -  you will too. When we read alongside our children, our conversations have another dimension. Our children see us as people with our own ideas;  it gives us a chance to model for them listening, disagreeing, and asking for help in understanding their ideas. 

Parent conferences are next week. If there are specific questions you hope your child’s teacher will address, write them down, better yet, send them to your child’s teacher in advance.  If you have questions about Spanish, Music, or Art, let your child’s teacher know. Middle School students come to the conferences. They have goals for themselves, which they will discuss in the conference. The goal of every conference is to give you an understanding of your child at this moment in the school year.  We want to strengthen our partnership with you in support of your child. You know your child. We know about school and supporting children as students. Together, we help your child grow and learn. 

I leave you with this child’s thought from Meeting For Worship. To the query:   “How do you love and take care of yourself?”, a kindergarten student stood and shared that “when we are kind to someone who is sad, we are loving ourselves”. I hope to see you in Meeting for Worship on any Wednesday.

In the Light,

Margaret

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October Query: There is that of God in each of you. How do you love and take care of yourself?

• All of our faiths express humans as a part of and reflection of the divine creation. How do we honor this truth and care for ourselves?

Announcements:

• 10/20 School Spirit Day ~ Wear your school colors
• 10/22 Parent/Guardian Conferences 
• 10/22 Family Council Meeting - in person, 6:30, child care provided
• 10/25 Family Council Boo Bash - Fun for All