Merwin Elementary Weekly Update

Our Mustangs have read 119,056,906 words and 9,436 books so far this year! Keep reading, Mustangs!

Do you know a Merwin teacher or staff member deserving of a positive shout-out? Let us know by completing this form and sharing why you want to compliment or applaud them.

Monique Gray Smith is a mixed-heritage woman of Cree, Lakota, and Scottish ancestry. Monique is an accomplished consultant, writer, and international speaker. She's the author of You Hold Me Up, a picture book that encourages children to show love and support for each other and to consider each other’s well-being in their everyday actions. You Hold Me Up is about building relationships, fostering empathy, and encouraging respect between peers, starting with our littlest citizens. Click this link to listen to You Hold Me Up.

Parent-Teacher Conferences allow you to increase communication between home and school and set common goals for student success. This is even more important now as we continue with distance learning. After the conference:

• Start on the action plan/steps that you and your child's teacher discussed.
• Share that plan with your child.
• Check your child's classwork & homework daily.
• Stay in contact with your child's teacher.

Research shows that when parents and teachers work together, students are more successful both academically and socially.

Note: 1st Trimester grades will be available in Parent Portal on December 3

Attention 4th and 5th-grade parents:

Our contactless library book pick up is now open, and 4th and 5th-grade students get to reserve books first! Book reservations have begun, and pick up starts Monday, November 16, outside the office door. Before your child can reserve and pick up books, please complete our Parent Agreement form. Check out your child's Google Classroom for an announcement video, library procedures, and more information about placing holds and checking out books from Mrs. Naney. There are two other videos to help and a link to Destiny Discover.

We will be expanding this service to other grade levels soon! Stay tuned for more information!

Join Merwin PTA through TOTEM on or before December 31st for a chance to win a cute "Home of a Merwin Mustang" sign or a Merwin pride basket filled with Merwin Mustang goodies! See the flyer or more information!

Membership is only $7 plus $1 for joining through TOTEM!

https://jointotem.com/ca/baldwin-park/merwin-pta/join

Gratitude is being aware of and thankful for the good things that happen in your life and taking the time to express appreciation and return kindness. Being grateful is more than saying thank you. When you express gratitude, it can actually lead to a stronger sense of well-being.

Gratitude is different from other caring emotions such as empathy and compassion because it's learned. That's good news, as there are many ways to teach it and model it for your kids. Taking the time to appreciate what you have is one of the keys to cultivating gratitude. Creating a "grateful environment" at home can help kids carry gratitude into the world.

How can you encourage gratitude in others?

• Model it. Talk about the good things that happen to you: “I love this gorgeous spring day!” Reframe difficulties by highlighting positive aspects: “Work has been stressful lately, but I’m grateful that my boss trusts me with important responsibilities.”
• Celebrate it. Acknowledge when someone demonstrates gratitude: “It makes me feel really great when you thank me for what I am doing.” Display thank you notes you’ve received where others can see them. Post Three Good Things on social media.
• Enable it. Keep stationery handy for writing thank you notes. At dinner, make it a habit to begin by sharing one good thing that happened that day. Establish a birthday ritual to write notes of appreciation.

Want more tips, resources, and activities to encourage gratitude at home? Check out Character Lab's page on gratitude.

C-VUSD School Social Workers are the link between home, school, and the community. Our social workers provide direct and indirect services to students to promote and support students' academic and social success.

To request Mental Health Services for your child, contact Mrs. Kearns, or complete a Request Form.

Email: skearns@c-vusd.org
Website: https://www.c-vusd.org/Domain/14
Location: 16125 East Cypress Street, Covina, CA, USA
Phone: (626) 472-7660
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/merwinelementary
Twitter: @MerwinElem