Clinton Primary Weekly Update

Dear Clinton Primary Families,

Our K–2 classrooms are busy building positive habits, sharing space, and practicing how to care for one another. Learning how to navigate social interactions and manage emotions is just as foundational in primary school as reading and math.

In our classrooms, we teach a simple concept: All feelings are okay, but not all behaviors are okay. The first step in helping children manage big emotions is learning to identify what they are feeling and give it a name.

Try This at Home: "Name It to Hug It Out"

When your child feels frustrated, angry, or sad, try helping them give their feeling a friendly name before rushing to fix the issue.

What to say: "I see you're feeling frustrated because that block tower fell down. It's totally okay to feel upset!"

What to do: Take three calm "Flower Breaths" together. Pretend to smell a pretty flower with a deep breath in through the nose, then blow out a birthday candle with a long breath out through the mouth.

Taking a moment to pause and breathe together helps kids feel seen, safe, and ready to solve the next problem!

This week, we are practicing identifying and expressing our feelings in healthy ways so everyone feels supported and understood at school!

Tips & Fun Ways to Practice at Home:

Emotion Check-In: Ask your child during dinner or bedtime, "What was a happy, excited, or tricky feeling you had today?" Normalize talking about all emotions!

Draw the Feeling: When feelings get too big for words, invite your child to draw what their feeling looks like using colors and shapes.

Flower & Candle Breathing: Practice your "Flower Breaths" together before bedtime or during a transition time so it becomes an easy go-to tool when big emotions pop up.

Showing up on time every day builds a strong foundation for your child's learning and confidence.

You can support steady attendance at home by keeping consistent bedtimes and packing backpacks the night before!

Thank you for your partnership and continued support in making Clinton Primary such a special place to learn and grow!

Kimberly M. McCartan

Principal, Clinton Primary School

To help families plan ahead for physical education classes, music, art, and library, please remember that our school operates on a 5-Day Cycle Schedule (Days 1–5) rather than standard days of the week. This ensures students never miss a special when school is closed on a Monday or Friday!

November 3 - Superintendent's Conference Day - No School

November 5 - Picture Re-Takes

November 5 - PTA Meeting

November 11 - Veteran's Day - No School

November 25-27 - Thanksgiving Recess

December 4 - Half Day

December 10 - Half Day Parent Conferences/Winter Wonderland

December 11 - Half Day Parent Conferences

December 23-January 1 - Winter Recess - No School