Tiger Tales #9

Dear Medina families,

This week I was in a classroom when students were discovering where different products were made. On one product a student showed me that a product was designed in one country and produced in another country. The student was amazed at how countries worked together to make this one item.

At Medina, we want our children to grow up knowing that they are part of a big, connected world. Learning about global citizenship helps students become curious about other countries, cultures, and perspectives while also recognizing the many things we share. It encourages children to listen, ask questions, show empathy, and value experiences that may be different from their own.

It is also important for students to understand that countries and communities depend on one another in many ways. The choices we make can have an impact beyond our own neighborhood or nation. It is important for them to see how cooperation, understanding, and caring for others can make a difference and how they, too, can help build a thoughtful and connected world.

In partnership,

Lara Lyons
Principal, Medina Elementary School

Each Friday teachers will select a student to be a 'Tiger Ticket Winner' from each classroom. I announce these students' names over the intercom and they come to the atrium to have their photo taken with Pawlie the Medina tiger and to receive a little Medina prize. Congratulations to the winners this week!

We appreciated everyone's participation and sponsorship of our PTA Fall Festival last Friday. A big thank you to teachers Amie Ptak (1st grade), Sarah Tenace (2nd grade), and Zach O'Neill (Dean of Students) for their participation in the 'pie in your face' event and the parents who made it all possible!

Special thanks to these parent volunteers:

Alissa Burkit, Brian Pao, Cienna Ryu, Dian Wang, Donna Kuang, Emily Liu, Eunice Kim, Eve Jaikhan, Hao Dang, Jade Lu, Jessie Xue, Jessie Zheng, Jihyung Chun, Joyce Kao, Joyce Wang, Junjie Li, Kangming Zhang, Mabel Tang, Mandy Jiang, Mario Ricart, Mariya Ptashinskaya, Mark Tsang, Martin Chvoj, Michael Man, Mike Ponomarenko, Mingmin Zhu, Min Qi, Myra Epp, Neha Purohit, Nina Ju, Noreli Dominguez Acosta, Nuch Thongdynalai, Owen Ho, Patty Qi, Ping Gong, Rory Priday, Sophia Chung, Suphattra Sunnamthiang, Svetlana Gershman, Swati Sangwan, Timothy Cowley, Viktoriia Pryshva, Vivian Li, Xiaokai He, Xiaolin Yuan, Yanqin Xu, and Yao Yao. Special shoutout to Thu-An Lai for leading the entire Halloween Festival!

The proceeds from this fundraiser go directly back to support the Medina school, thank you!

Every November 11 we honor our veterans. Veterans Day helps us thank and honor all those people who have served in the U.S. military forces. As we explain to students, it is different than Memorial Day, which is set aside to remember military personnel who died in service.

We have different ways we will honor the veterans connected to our Medina community. One way you can help us do this is by providing us with names of those family members who are veterans. Please email the below information as well as a photo to:

lyonsl@bsd405.org or to oneillz@bsd405.org

1. Name of Honoree:

2. Branch Served:

3. Current or Final/Retired Rank:
4. Years Served:
5. Student at Medina Elementary School that Honoree is related to:
6. Would the Honoree like to attend an assembly in November? (Date TBD):
7. A photo of your veteran.

Please help us honor those who have served our country!

A reminder to turn your clocks back one hour for Daylight Savings Time on Sunday, November 1st! Please support your children in getting to bed a bit earlier on Sunday night so they can take advantage of more rest given the time change.

This past Wednesday during our Pastries with the Principal event we had Tom Dunewad, our Director of Education Technology, come to speak to us about the direction that technology is taking in the district and considerations given AI. It was a lively discussion and I anticipate offering another opportunity to hear from Tom once his district committee consisting of parents, students, and community members have decided upon some recommendations for the district.

If you have some thoughts to share with Tom regarding technology use in the district, please contact him at: DuenwadT@bsd405.org

At recess we have been teaching students the new game of 'Moon Ball' which involves giant blown up balls. This ties to our monthly virtue highlight of Cooperation. Ask your child to tell you more about the moon ball game!

During the month of November our virtue will be Thankfulness. We will be discussing gratitude and how this virtue plays a role in our lives and in the lives of others.

November:

1: Daylight Savings - turn back your clocks one hour!

13: Picture re-take day

11: NO SCHOOL: Veterans Day

16-20 Parent-teacher conferences (NOTE: Students dismissed at 12:20 all week)

26: NO SCHOOL: Thanksgiving

27: NO SCHOOL: Thanksgiving holiday

December:

7-11: Book Fair

18 - January 3: NO SCHOOL: Winter Holiday

January:

4: School starts again