Tiger Tales #10

Dear Medina families,

Every month at Medina we are focusing on a different virtue. In September it was respect, in October it was cooperation, and this month it is thankfulness. For the first part of each day we have reserved time for teachers to talk about the virtue of the month with students. You can support us at school by being out partner.

Research shows that although it is important for students to experience thankfulness or gratitude, they are often now sure why they should feel this way. This short one-page article from Harvard unpacks this and provides adults with four main steps for how we can support students. A quote from it: If we want to help kids truly develop gratitude, adults need to go a step further — they need to teach kids to notice (who or what we’re grateful for) and think (about why we’re grateful), on a regular basis.

I hope you read this short article and work together with us to help make this virtue instill meaning and purpose for students.

Gratitude Is More Than Just Saying Thank You | Harvard Graduate School of Education

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!

There are many different celebrations in November. Here are some that our families celebrate:

Día de los Muertos - November 1 and 2

Day of the Dead is a Mexican celebration for deceased loved ones. Celebrations took place in Crossroads last weekend.

Native American Heritage Month - All November. Our fourth graders study different aspects during their social studies curriculum, but if you would like some additional resources, here is a great website from Smithsonian:

https://www.si.edu/events/native-american-heritage-month

Diwali - November 8

The Bellevue Square has events and programs this week (Nov. 2 - 8) to celebrate Diwali:

https://bellevuecollection.com/diwali/

Thanksgiving _November 26

A time of togetherness and a traditional meal. Places serving Thanksgiving dinners around our area:

Thanksgiving Dinner Restaurants in Seattle, Bellevue and Tacoma

a lot of different

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!

Picture retakes will take place on Friday, November 13, during the morning. If your child missed picture day or would like their photo retaken, please take a moment to add their name using the link below. Thank you!

https://forms.gle/nFAnphXciSq8hog87

Inclement Weather and Potential Closure Reminders

Winter is approaching and may bring unpredictable weather to our community. Families are encouraged to take the time to revisit the district’s emergency closure schedule protocols and learn about our emergency closure decision-making process. While some decisions are made for the whole district, conditions may vary across different communities, which may result in different decisions for some schools. We encourage families to make personal decisions based on their specific circumstances.

Read the full article to learn more about:

• Receiving emergency communications

• Transportation during severe weather, including snow routes

• Changes to childcare options in the event of delays, closures and early dismissals

• Special circumstances like power outages

Ever looked at your child’s math homework and thought, “That’s not how I learned it?” Join BSD classroom teachers and district staff for Family Math Night! Together, we’ll engage in activities to learn:

• Why math is taught the way it is in Illustrative Mathematics (IM), our K–5 math curriculum

• How your child’s strategies grow and change from grade to grade

• The 3–4 most important math skills for your child’s grade

• Easy ways and resources to support math at home

Event Details

Date: Wednesday, December 2

Time: 6:00-7:00 p.m.

Location: BSD Welcome Center, Room 206, 12011 NE 1st St, Bellevue, WA 98005

RSVP online (optional but encouraged)

November:

11: NO SCHOOL: Veterans Day

13: Picture re-take day

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

26: NO SCHOOL: Thanksgiving

27: NO SCHOOL: Thanksgiving holiday

December:

2: 8:10 Pastries with the Principal

7-11: Book Fair

9: Book Fair Family Night

18 - January 3: NO SCHOOL: Winter Holiday

January:

4: School starts again