IES Mini STREAKS

Character Trait for April: Kindness and Motto Focus: Kindness Counts

I often wonder if it would be better served to begin or end the year with the character trait: Kindness

It seems like the simplest of the traits for elementary students to understand therefor making it reasonable to start with the concept in October. Yet, it is always so satisfying to address all the students during lunches in April about the many ways all the previous traits have led up to a deeper understanding of what it means to be kind. They come to understand that kindness is not merely about performing good deeds; it's about fostering a mindset that values and respects the well-being of others.

When kindness is consistently taught and reinforced at school and home, it becomes a fundamental part of a child's development, leading to young citizens able to navigate the world with empathy and respect.

Our building wide positive behavior intervention support (PBIS): Character Trait and MOTTO

There is a direct connection between what we think and how we respond to situations throughout the day. Every month at Ida Elementary the entire staff focuses on supporting children THINK in a way that promotes positive friendship making and approach to understanding the curriculum being taught. At the end of each month, students demonstrating exceptional ability to show the trait of the month is celebrated with a certificate, name called during lunch, and a book vending machine token.

Please read the attached Mini Streak, or the paper version already sent home, for information such as the definition of Kindness, its benefits, and strategies for teaching and modeling.

Please watch for future digital editions of the Ida Elementary School (IES) Mini Streak coming out the first Monday of each month during the school year as well as enjoying the paper version that will still be sent home by your child's teacher.

With Appreciation,

Ms. Maynard

Principal of Ida Elementary School

When I sail my boat, a lot of time is spent on adjusting lines to make the boat move with the wind. Just when it seems like everything is tuned, the wind shifts, resulting in a continual fine-tuning. I can’t help but relate this to our system of education. Just as things seem well adjusted, the wind shifts and knocks us off course. But then we adjust our lines and monitor the effect. It takes some time and readjusting, but the result is always rewarding, and the boat keeps moving forward. ~SM