Central Connection

Please watch January's principal's message video.

The days are getting longer, but colder and snowier as well. Please make sure your child comes to school prepared to go outside for recess with hats, gloves, coats and snow pants. Recess is an important release time for students and we try to get them outside as much as possible even in the winter.

With snow comes snow day! Follow the Linden Community Schools social media accounts for the most current news involving Central Elementary and all of Linden Community Schools.

School Hours 8:19 am - 3:27 pm.

8:04am students getting breakfast can enter building.

8:09am all students can enter building

8:19am bell rings to start class.

Students arriving after 8:20am must be signed in by an adult in the office.

4th Grade Lunch 11:20 - 11:50 am

Recess 11:50 am - 12:20pm
5th Grade Lunch 12 - 12:30 pm

Recess 12:30 - 1:00 pm

First and foremost, we want to wish you all a Happy New Year! We are excited to embark on a new year filled with opportunities for growth and learning with our Central Champions.

Additionally, our focus on Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) continues to be a priority, and we appreciate your continued partnership in supporting your child's development.

This month, we will be focusing on the topic of executive functioning and its importance in your child's development. Executive functioning refers to the set of mental skills that help your child get things done. These skills are controlled by the prefrontal cortex of the brain and are important for various tasks such as organizing, paying attention, and managing time. Developing strong executive functioning skills is crucial for your child's success in school and in life. These skills are essential for academic achievement, social relationships, and overall well-being.

What is Executive Functioning?

Executive functioning includes essential skills such as:

Organization: This involves keeping track of schedules and assignments, organizing their belongings, and managing time effectively.

Self-Regulation: The ability to control emotions and behavior, resist impulses, and exercise self-control.

Problem Solving: Being able to think through and solve problems, plan and execute tasks, and set and achieve goals.

Tips on How to Sharpen Executive Functioning Skills:

Establish Routines: Consistent schedules and routines help children develop organization and time-management skills.

Encourage Self-Regulation: Help your child practice self-control and emotional regulation by modeling calmness and problem-solving strategies.

Break Tasks into Manageable Steps: Teach your child to approach tasks by breaking them down into smaller, more manageable steps.

Challenges with executive functioning skills may manifest as:

• Forgetting or losing things regularly

• Difficulty following instructions or completing tasks

• Impulsivity and difficulty controlling emotions

How to Recognize When to be Concerned

If you notice significant changes in your child's behavior, such as sudden withdrawal, persistent irritability, or a decline in academic performance, it may be a cause for concern.

What to Do When Your Child's Behavior has Changed

Open communication, active listening, and seeking professional guidance are crucial when addressing changes in your child's behavior. Please reach out to the school counselor or mental health professional if you have concerns about your child's well-being.

As always, we are grateful for your ongoing support and partnership in your child's education journey. Thank you for entrusting us with their learning and growth.

Traci Turner, Kim Henson, and Erin Lakits

This was my first December in a school and believe me when I tell you that it's the best month of the year! There was this little elf that kept showing up and causing trouble. I was on to it's shenanigan's though and watched him like a hawk to make sure he left the students alone. Lucky for him, he only made messes. Then they sent another elf to my house and took pictures of me in my sleep. Those elves are tricky.

The kids were more excited then normal and needed me more then ever, but then I saw why. There were so many class parties. They made a bit of a mess with all the food they ate, but I did my best to clean the floors when Mr. Culver wasn't watching.

Then came the sad part. All the kids went home and I didn't come to school for what felt life forever. The Culver's did this weird thing where they woke up early and unwrapped boxes that I just watched them wrap the day before, but they seemed pretty happy about it. The best part was that I got to unwrap a few too. I'm glad to be back at Central though and seeing all my friends again!

Get ready to channel your inner Nostradamus, Chris Easlich or Christina Burkhart for this month's principal's challenge. Follow the link below to the official Central Elementary Snow Day Predictor form and have your child select the date that they believe we will have our first snow day of the year. The 3 students that select the closest date will win a prize. Good luck!

https://forms.gle/Hc3ptVRsn8kCS4kr9

Bravery (you act with strength and courage even when things are difficult or scary) and Optimism (You think the future is bright and work to achieve it) are our character strengths for the month of January. We've already read a story on being brave in the face of problem, because problems often are hiding opportunities if we are willing to face them.

Bravery refers to voluntary (not coerced) action in the face of a dangerous circumstance. This strength involves judgment; the brave person must have an understanding of the risks and consequences involved in acting. According to Socrates and Plato, forethought separates acts of valor from acts of rashness. This means that bravery isn’t simply fearlessness, but instead the overcoming of fear.

Bravery can take many forms. Physical bravery involves overcoming fear of bodily injury or death. Moral bravery occurs when an individual does what he/she believes is right in the face of social and/or financial consequences. Mental bravery occurs when people overcome their

everyday fears and anxieties.

WHY DOES IT MATTER?

Overcoming fears is critically important in individual development, as it allows the person to do more and become more. A person can be brave every single day. For example, some people with social anxiety are brave just by leaving their house and talking with people. On a

physical level, bravery allows us to overcome fears, such as swimming or playing a sport. And, on a moral level, doing what we know to be right, despite the risks, gives us

the sense that we are acting on behalf of a larger purpose.

On a group level, bravery is inspiring and contagious. Witnessing an individual’s brave act – whether a soldier in battle or standing up for a bullied student – is a form of

leadership and often encourages others to take action. Communities and societies throughout time have held bravery in high esteem because they know its inherent importance. This is why Aristotle believed, “Courage is the first of human virtues because it makes all others possible.”

To practice and encourage the character strength of creativity with your child, please visit the Positivity Project’s P2 for Families (password: P2) where together you will watch a video, read a quote and talk about the answers to three questions.