September 15, 2023 Volume 11 Issue 3

"When you're doing something hard, focus on the fun part.

Many people make a subtle mistake, which is they emphasize how difficult it is to do something. They tell themselves writing is hard or running is hard or math is hard. And so on. The dominant thought in their mind is that this is hard to do.

And it is true these things (and many others in life) can be challenging.

Meanwhile, people who thrive in a given area are often emphasizing a completely different aspect of the experience. They are thinking about how it feels good to move their body rather than telling themselves exercise is hard. Or, perhaps, they aren't really thinking much at all. They may slip into a trance during their run, a meditative rhythm.

But what they are almost certainly not doing is repeating a mental story about how hard it is to do the thing. Their dominant thought is about some element of the experience they enjoy. They are working hard, but with the fun part in mind." -James Clear, Author of Atomic Habits

Download the FREE Action for Happiness app for iOS or Android

• Gives you friendly nudges with an action idea each day
• Sends you inspiring messages to give you a boost

The HTSD has procedures in place for handling situation in which it is suspected that a student may have suicidal ideation.

1. Any staff member who has reason to believe a student is a threat to self must report this immediately to administration.
2. The administrator will contact a counselor (school counselor, school psychologist, or school social worker) to complete a risk assessment.
3. Two counselors will work together to complete the risk assessment.
4. If the counselors determine that a more comprehensive mental health assessment is needed, the parents will be contacted and will be instructed to take the student to the emergency room (PIP) or get an assessment from InSite Health.
5. If the counselors determine that a more comprehensive mental health assessment is not necessary, the parents will be contacted and told that a risk assessment was completed.

Here are some resources from our EAP relative to Suicide Prevention- https://pages.e2ma.net/pages/1807892/36838

The article below contains specific actions that SEL is telling us to engage in that will make our time in schools better for adults and students.

Many thanks to Dr. Zito for sharing these lanyard clips. A heart in the hand symbolizes inclusion so they are a great reminder for all of us😊

Edmentum's Exact Path will use the NWEA MAP data to put each student on an individualized learning path to remediate, fill in gaps, and/or accelerate student learning in both ELA and Math. By utilizing Exact Path for minimally 40 minutes per week per subject area, students will meet their growth potential.

Wow! Love this science classroom designed by Ms. Oriente at the Davies School!

"Now is no time to think of what you do not have. Think of what you can do with what there is."

-Ernest Hemingway

• Love these Starburst pencils! Sometimes you just need a sweet treat!
• Wawa is celebrating teachers again this September!

Membership

Don't forget to join the PTA! For just $5 for the year, you can support our wonderful PTA! Click on this link - https://hamiltontownshippta.memberhub.com/store#.

Grants

Here is a link to the PTA Grant form:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeyq902otUMJT5nLl3ktAAetrQpfB01YVrLCAfAEUGgBrKTVQ/formResponse

Trunk or Treat

Come out and support the PTA! You can bring your own kids OR sponsor a trunk OR come out to interact with students and families!

Over the years, we have embraced and been inspired by these lessons. This year, let's review all three and combine them to create a learning environment where ALL people feel supported, respected and loved and where EVERYONE can be joyful and purposeful.

The Starfish Story

One day a man was walking along the beach when he noticed boy picking up and gently throwing things into the ocean.

Approaching the boy he asked, “Young man, what are you doing?”

“Throwing starfish back into the ocean. The surf is up and the tide is going out. If I don’t throw them back, they’ll die,” the boy replied.

The man laughed to himself and said, “Do you realize there are miles of miles of beach and hundreds of starfish? You can’t make any difference.”

After listening politely, the boy bent down to pick up another starfish and threw it into the surf. Then, he smiled at the man and said, “I made a difference to that one.”

Keep making a difference!

The Hamilton Township School District does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, gender, affectional or sexual orientation, ancestry, disability, age, or social or economic status in its programs and activities.

The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies:

Marylynn Stecher

Affirmative Action Officer

609-476-6313

stecherm@hamiltonschools.org

HAMILTON TOWNSHIP SCHOOL DISTRICT GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE

For further information on notice of nondiscrimination, visit https://ocrcas.ed.gov/contact-ocr for the address and phone number of the office that serves your area, or call 1-800-421-3481.

September 1, 2023

September 8, 2023