Weekly School Newsletter
November 13 , 2026
Week 8 — From Soft Parenting to Strong Parenting
The goal isn't tougher parenting. It's confident parenting.
The opposite of soft parenting isn't harsh parenting. Children don't need parents who are cold, punitive, or overly strict. They need parents who are loving and appropriately firm.
Strong parenting means setting reasonable expectations while providing support. It means allowing children to experience disappointment without immediately fixing it. It means giving children responsibilities and allowing reasonable consequences. It means encouraging them to solve problems, communicate respectfully, persevere through difficulty, and try again after failure.
A simple formula can help:
Love + Limits + Responsibility + Independence = Growing Capable Children
Ask yourself:
- Does my child have responsibilities at home?
- Do I allow my child to experience reasonable consequences?
- Do I let my child solve age-appropriate problems?
- Can my child hear “no” without me changing the answer?
- Do I encourage my child when something is difficult?
- Do I allow my child to experience disappointment?
- Am I doing things for my child that my child could reasonably do independently?
- Does my child know that mistakes are opportunities to learn?
Our ultimate goal isn't to make childhood completely comfortable. Our goal is to prepare children for a world in which they can handle discomfort, solve problems, accept responsibility, persevere through challenges, and believe in their own ability to succeed.
The Parent Challenge
This week, choose one thing you normally do for your child that your child is capable of doing independently—and hand that responsibility over.
You may be surprised at how capable your child really is.
⚠️ IMPORTANT SAFETY REMINDER ⚠️
Parents, please remind your children to stay away from the large green electrical box located near our bus sidewalk area.
This box contains a live electrical transformer and can be extremely dangerous. For everyone's safety, please make sure children do not approach, kick, climb on, or play near this equipment.
Thank you for helping us keep all of our Belle Valley students safe!
As part of the upcoming renovations to the McDowell Athletic Complex (MAC), a new paver plaza is being planned for the stadium entrance. The Gus Anderson Legacy Plaza will feature engraved pavers that are now available to purchase and customize! All purchases support the renovations, which include necessary updates to the track, bleachers, addition of visitor bathrooms, turf drainage and more.
Leave your mark on the MAC and purchase a paver in honor of an alumni, your graduating class, or yourself! Purchase a paver or make a general donation here: Sponsorships & Naming Rights Opportunities
Curious why the renovations to the MAC are needed? Or where the funding is coming from? Or what the cost breakdown is? Find answers to all these questions at: Millcreek Township School District
You are able to purchase insurance for just $22 through our school store on Infinite Campus to protect your student from incurring damage fees during the upcoming school year. Significant damage can cost more than $150.
Chromebook insurance for the 2026-2027 school year is now available! Please visit the Infinite Campus School Store to purchase this insurance.
NOVEMBER EVENTS
3 - END OF QUARTER 1
9-10 - NO SCHOOL/PARENT-TEACHER CONFERENCES
12 - PICTURE RETAKES
18 - K-1 READING NIGHT
19 - CHILDREN'S GRIEF AWARENESS DAY
19 - PTA MEETING
25 - EARLY DISMISSAL @ 1:45
26-27 - NO SCHOOL - THANKSGIVING BREAK
DECEMBER EVENTS
7-11 - HOLIDAY SHOP
17 - HOLIDAY SOCIAL 6-8PM
23 - HOLIDAY PARTIES
24 - JAN 3RD - NO SCHOOL - HOLIDAY BREAK
