Our EME Focus
- Tier 1 Instruction
- Belonging
- Define what it means to be an Art Focused School
Thoughts of the Week
We can train our brain to focus on positive thoughts, improving our well being and reducing the impacts from stress and anxiety.
The brain cannot respond to anxiety and gratitude at the same time. It is an “either/or” situation. We can feel anxious and other negative feelings, or we can feel grateful and all of the positive emotions that are associated with it.
Our brain operates in either a sympathetic (fight or flight) or parasympathetic (rest and digest) mode. The purpose of the sympathetic mode is to protect us in life-threatening emergency situations, so our body can respond quickly (think hunter about to be attacked by a lion). The parasympathetic mode is our “rest and digest” mode and this is the state we should be in most of the time. However, in modern society, the constant stressors in our life can cause us to stay in the “sympathetic/fight or flight” mode. So, how do we train ourselves to move out of fight or flight and back to a restful, calm state? Being in a state of gratitude has a potent effect on moving us to a parasympathetic (rest or digest) stage. When we express gratitude and receive the same, our brain releases dopamine and serotonin, the two crucial neurotransmitters responsible for our emotions, and they make us feel better, immediately enhancing our mood.
There are a number of health benefits to regularly practicing gratitude. In Alex Korb’s article, “How Gratitude Shapes your Brain,” he shares how studies have shown that a consistent gratitude practice helps with the following:
1. Releasing negative emotions
2. Reducing pain
3. Improving sleep quality
4. Reducing anxiety and depression
Being aware of the powerful benefits of a gratitude practice, some people consider creating a gratitude journal to list the things they are thankful for on a regular basis. While this activity is helpful, a more powerful way to deepen your positive neural circuitry is with story. In the Science of Gratitude podcast by Andrew Huberman, we learn about the latest neuroscience about gratitude and a method for repeating a gratitude story as a practice. Remembering a time when you received sincere gratitude for something and repeating that memory on a regular basis is more positively impactful to your neurocircuitry than simply being thankful for something (although being thankful certainly has its purpose too—counting our blessings is beneficial to our spirit and approach to life).
The Coming Week
- Monday
- Staff Meeting 2:30-3:15
- Tuesday
- Safety Meeting 7:00-7:30
- Office Staff Meeting 10:00-10:30
- Train You Brain (3rd Grade) 10:00-11:00
- ICCL Meeting
- Wednesday
- Office Admin Meeting 9:00-9:30
- Fire Drill 12:30
- SIW
- Anna Boise Retirement Party 4:00-6:00
- Thursday
- Anna Boise Birthday!
- Ben Virtual Meeting 9:00-10:00
- Beginning Admin Meeting 5:00-7:00
- Friday
- SpEd Meeting 2:15-3:15
- Art in the Meadow 5:30-7:00
UPCOMING DATES:
- June 10th-18th Spirit Week+
- June 10th 2nd Grade Field Trip 9:30-1:10
- June 10th Staff Meeting – 2:30-3:15
- June 11th Office Staff Meeting 10:00-10:30
- June 11th 4th Grade Field Trip 11:30-2:00
- June 11th Kinder Forest Field Trip
- June 11th Care Teams Meeting 2:30-3:15
- June 12th Office Admin Meeting 9:00-9:30
- June 12th EA Meeting 1:00-1:30
- June 12th SIW 1:00-2:30
- June 13th 3rd Grade Field Trip 9:00-2:00
- June 13th 5th Grade Kona Ice 10:30-12:00
- June 13th Kindergarten Celebration 1:00-1:30
- June 13th 5th Grade Move Up Program 5:00-6:00
- June 14th Field Day 8:00-2:00
- June 14th EOY Staff Celebration 3:30-???
- June 17th Nicole Garroutte’s Birthday!
- June 16th 3rd Grade Field Trip 9:00-2:00
- June 18th LAST DAY OF SCHOOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Updates from Downtown
If you’re around this weekend join Family Advisory group is hosting a booth at Pride in the Park! Click on the image above for more information about Pride Month.
Do Now:
Don’t forget to share your YouthTruth information with families in the next week or so. Dan shared a great example two blogs ago if you’re looking for inspiration.
Reminders:
- Roger White support: Want to help? Click this link. or Venmo Patrick to help with a bike for Roger!
- Inservice Week Certified work calendar for 24-25.
- Dibels Testing Dates: Here is the schedule. (make 12 stations, let them test all K-5 kids, clear schedules and make testing the priority)
- From Culture of Care: Check out our latest news and workshop offerings!
- HERE is a link to the state-wide video from Steve and other Sups
New Notes:
From Stephen: Anyone in need of a piano? Reach out to Lisa or Tammy if your school might be interested.
May 29th Elementary TLC Update
This week’s update includes:
- Disposal plan for Wonders and Maravillas curriculum materials
- Summer PD opportunities from the Culture of Care team at HDESD
- End of year activities from Wayfinder
- Movement moments
From Tammy and Lisa:
Thank you Tim for supporting our dear North Star this year. We are excited to hear what your next years have in store for you as you launch into retirement! As we move forward to fill your shoes (no one ever will btw), we will be looking to have some type of internal process in the next few weeks. Stay tuned for more information.
Important Dates
- June 4: Seal of Biliteracy (Bronze Seal) @ 5:30 at HDMS
- June 6: TAG Night at Juniper 5-6 pm
- June 6: BSHS Graduation @7:00 pm
- June 7: LPHS Graduation @7:00 pm
- June 8: SHS Graduation @10:00 am
- June 8: MVHS Graduation @2:00pm
- June 8: CHS Graduation @6:00pm – FIRST Graduating class in school history!
- June 10: BTA Graduation @ 7:00 pm
- June 11: Seal of Biliteracy (Silver Level) @5:30 at CHS
- June 11: Realms HS Graduation @ 7:00 pm
- The month of July: Rest and relaxation!!
- August 5 and 6: K-12 Administrator District Welcome Back
- August 8: Elementary Kick-Off
And finally…
Looking for a way to celebrate JOY in June? Click on the image to link to a joyful calendar to round out your school year.