Wildcat Weekly Update

Happy New Year and welcome back!

Looking forward to seeing each of you each morning.

Hello Hereford Family!

Your child is in a school that uses PBIS, the school has charts with desired behaviors, including a description of how those behaviors will look like in each setting. For example, one of our school ROAR expectations is to ask students to “Be Respectful” (what’s expected) in the classroom (where it’s expected) by raising their hand before speaking (the desired behavior). These charts can be found around the building in various areas.

Sonnie Hereford Elementary has an orientation on what behaviors are expected and where, and set a time in the beginning of the year to teach students and staff the specific behaviors. These can be adapted by families to fit the home setting. Examples of an expectations table for home and school are above in the right corner.

Thank you for all you do!

Have an amazing week!

AP Grant and AP Frye

What is Diligence?

Diligence means working hard and being persistent in reaching your goals. It's about showing effort and dedication, even when things get tough

Greetings Hereford Elementary School Families

Happy New Year, Hereford families! One of the biggest predictors of reading success is reading aloud to children (even after they are able to read on their own) as this builds their oral language development and models what fluent reading sounds like. Here is an activity to try with your student to help them make connections to what they are reading.

Making Connections Video

Have any awesome week!

Mrs. Tomes

Be awesome in Math!

Mrs. Ramsey

January is self-love month.

Teaching children to love themselves and appreciate their own uniqueness is an important component of raising a healthy child. The book Amazing Grace is a perfect one to read to encourage a positive self image.

In the story, Grace wants the part of Peter Pan in a school performance. Her classmates discourage her because she doesn't fit the look and gender of Peter Pan. However, her mother encourages her to follow her and dreams and reminds her that she can do anything she puts her mind to. You can hear the story read aloud at the link below.

Have a wonderful week!

Mrs. Q. Hereford

Happy New Year!

Here are some ways you can include kids in having a great start to a new year!

1. Exercise: Research has shown that exercise can improve your emotional well-being, energy levels, and sleep.

2. Model Behavior: Adapting healthy habits and modeling them for your children.

3. Encourage children to help others: Children who may feel helpless can feel empowered by helping others. Engage children in age-appropriate volunteering or assisting with housework.

4. Encourage open communication: It’s important your child knows they can approach you with any issue, and they will be received and listened to.

5. Let them have fun: Playing will develop your child’s creativity and self-control.

6. Teach your child to be independent: It is important to teach your child to be positive and remain optimistic when faced with difficulties. This helps boost their self-esteem and self-confidence.

7. Limit screen time: Excessive screen time can negatively affect a child’s mental health. Get outside, spend time in nature, use art (music, drawing, writing in a journal).

8. Feelings Charades: When we are open and honest about how we feel, children are more likely to come to us with their feelings.

9. Reduce stress together: Stress is a natural part of life but if left unchecked, it can have physical, mental, and emotional effects. Encourage healthy ways to cope with stress such as deep breathing, mindfulness, or engaging in activities you all enjoy.

10. Encourage connections: Help them strengthen positive connections. A feeling of belonging is important for children to feel that they matter, and that they are valued.

~The human brain requires connection to thrive. Warm and loving interactions with people we care for helps the brain learn to grow~

Have an awesome week!

Mrs. B

Greetings Sonnie Hereford Family,

Our January Attendance Incentive is starting Monday, January 6, 2025!

As always, we encourage our scholars and their families to have students present every day that they are well. In addition, we offer monthly incentives to provide additional motivation. This January of 2025, each day that every student is present in a class, that class will receive a sticker outside their door or window. Classes must earn at least 15 days of perfect attendance in the month of January to be eligible to win the reward of the month: a Class Pizza Party! I want to thank The Rock Family Worship center for sponsoring the attendance incentive back in October when Ms. Messervy’s second grade class won! Shout out to them and their families for their awesome efforts! They had a blast.

One class in every grade level from kindergarten to sixth grade can win a pizza party by being the first to reach at least 15 perfect attendance days and being the first to reach the highest number in their grade level. You don’t want to miss out. All the best to you and your class. If you have any questions, always reach me in the front office. Let’s ace attendance and ace life!

Be Awesome!

Ms. Thorton

Getting Back to School After Winter Break: Tips for Parents

Winter break is a fun time filled with family, friends, and celebrations. However, when it's time to go back to school, some kids may find it hard to switch back into learning mode. Here are some tips for parents to help their children adjust smoothly after the holiday season.

1. Create a Routine

One of the best ways to help kids get back into school mode is to establish a routine. Begin a few days before school starts again by setting regular bedtimes and wake-up times. This helps children get used to the school schedule again. Make sure to include time for homework, play, and relaxation in the daily routine.

2. Set Up a Study Space

Designate a quiet and comfortable place in your home where your child can focus on schoolwork. Having a specific study area can help kids feel more prepared and organized. Make sure the space is well-lit and free from distractions like TV or loud noises.

3. Talk About School

Discuss what your child is looking forward to at school. Ask them about their friends, teachers, and any fun activities planned for the new semester. This can help create excitement and make them feel more positive about returning to school.

4. Review Schoolwork

Before school starts, spend some time reviewing what your child learned last semester. This can be done through fun activities like games or flashcards. You can also read books together to keep their minds engaged. Reviewing helps kids feel more confident and ready to tackle new lessons.

5. Encourage Healthy Habits

Help your child get back into healthy habits. Encourage them to eat nutritious meals and drink plenty of water. Physical activity is also important, so try to include some exercise in their daily routine. Healthy habits can boost energy levels and improve focus.

6. Be Supportive and Patient

Returning to school after a long break can be tough for some kids. Be patient and offer support. Listen to their feelings and encourage them to share any worries they may have. Remind them that it’s okay to feel nervous, and that many of their classmates might feel the same way.

7. Celebrate Small Wins

As your child transitions back to school, celebrate their small achievements. Whether it’s completing homework or making a new friend, praise their efforts. Celebrating these moments can help build their confidence and motivate them to keep trying.

By following these tips, parents can help their children make a smooth transition back into school after winter break. With a little preparation and support, kids can feel excited and ready to learn!

Have an awesome week!

Ann Elkins

Dear Parents, Guardians, and Students,

Happy New Year from Your School Counselors!

As we welcome a brand new year, we encourage you to reflect on the past year and set some exciting goals for the future. In the spirit of a fresh start, our Character Word for the month is Diligence.

What is Diligence?

Diligence means working hard and being persistent in reaching your goals. It's about showing effort and dedication, even when things get tough.

How can you show Diligence?

• In the Classroom:
  • Pay attention in class.
  • Complete your homework to the best of your ability.
  • Ask questions when you need help.
  • Try your best on tests and assignments.
• At Home:
• Help around the house with chores.
• Practice your musical instrument or other skills.
• Read every day.
• Finish tasks you start.

New Year's Resolutions for Kids:

• Set small, achievable goals. Instead of "I will get all A's," try "I will study for 15 minutes each night."
• Make your goals specific. Instead of "I will be nicer," try "I will say 'please' and 'thank you' to everyone."
• Involve your child in the goal-setting process. Let them choose their own goals and come up with a plan to reach them.
• Celebrate successes! Acknowledge and praise your child's efforts and accomplishments.

Remember:

Reaching your goals takes time and effort. Don't give up if you face challenges along the way. Learn from your mistakes and keep trying your best!

We wish you a happy and successful New Year filled with joy, learning, and growth!

Mr. Reginald Johnson and Mrs. Jerlene Thorne

School Counselors

Have a great week

• Supervision of students begin at 7:30 each morning; therefore, students should not arrive to school before 7:30 AM.

• Students who are walkers are to follow the sidewalk leading to the crossing guard and to the front door of the school.

• Students who are walkers should not walk across the Pre-K parking lot without being supervised by parent/guardian.

• Parents who enter Pre-K parking lot (yellow arrows) to drop off Kinder-6th grade students must park and escort student(s) to front of school.

• Parents who enter faculty and staff parking lot (blue arrows) to drop off Kinder-6th grade students must park and escort student(s) to crosswalk.

• School starts promptly at 8:00 AM.

• Students arriving after 8:00 AM are tardy and must have a parent or a guardian sign them in at the main office.

Student check-out ends at 1:45-must have valid identification and listed as a contact in

PowerSchool SIS.

• All students will be dismissed at 2:30.

• Students are either a bus rider, car rider or walker.

• Parents are asked not to congregate near the front door of the school or the pick-up area. You

will be asked to clear the dismissal area- please do so.

• Parents of walkers are asked to meet your children at home or at the crosswalk.

• Parents of car riders are asked to remain in your vehicle in the car line during pick-up.

• Pre-K parking lot (yellow arrows) is reserved only for Pre-K families with Parking Permit displayed.

• WALKERS- in the event of rain, parents are asked to provide child/ren with rain gear or send a written/typed note to teacher to change dismissal to car rider for that day by 1:30 pm.

Assistant Principal Frye