The Lion Letter

Hello,

We are off to a GREAT start. We had our first pep rally. Volleyball and Football Jamborees were Friday and the Middle School girls did a FANTASTIC job at the tournament in Douglass Saturday. It is so nice to see all of the hard work pay off. I am so grateful to our coaches who put in extra hours to create well-rounded kids.

Thank you so much to parents for encouraging students to adhere to the new cell phone policy. We have had ZERO infractions two days in a row. This is a HUGE win for student achievement as well as relationship-building. I am so pleased with the students' ability to adapt to this change.

Feel free to pat yourselves on the back for raising incredible kids. I have witnessed so much kindness toward new students and helpfulness toward teachers and other staff this week. This ranges from being impromptu interpreters to showing students around the school to sitting with new students to make sure they feel welcome.

I'm so grateful to be a member of the Bluestem family,

Beth Janssen

A common education analogy is a three-legged stool representing the three support systems of parents/guardians, students and teachers. All three of the legs are needed to hold up and educate students. September is school attendance awareness month. Our mission at Bluestem is to "Create hope and success in every child". One easy way to increase success is through regular attendance. As one of the three "legs", please encourage your students to attend school daily and stay for occasional afternoon activity days such as pep assemblies. These help build school tradition and morale.

For Bluestem attendance policy, see the student handbook (link below).

Joining Classmates on Exciting Field Trips 🪩

Don't miss out on hands-on learning experiences outside the classroom, like visits to museums, nature centers, science centers, parks, and performances of all kinds. These enriching experiences help students figure out their passions.

Forming Lasting Friendships 😎

Attending daily allows students to foster strong social bonds and an inclusive peer network. Even if not all friendships work out, developing the skills is only possible with ongoing interaction. Students who develop their social skills through school attendance have more positive relationships, overall.

Developing Effective Study Habits 📚

Good attendance instills vital skills like punctuality, time management and self-discipline. A big part of succeeding is learning how to learn. Daily attendance from elementary onwards helps students build their toolbox of strategies for success.

Demonstrating Responsibility and Commitment 🎓

Employers value established patterns of dedication and follow-through. Whether students are getting after school jobs in high school, or securing employment after graduation, good work habits are formed by consistent school attendance. It's also how students get teachers to serve as references!

Maximizing Instructional Time with Teachers 🧑🏻‍🏫

Fewer disruptions means more personalized learning and academic support. Sometimes, students don't come to school because they're struggling with the material in class and staying home is a way to avoid it. But the better choice is to come to school -- that's where the support is. The more time students have with their teachers, the more successful they will be.

Greater Self-Esteem and Confidence 🤗

Not having to play catch-up reduces stress and boosts self-assurance. This is exactly what will carry students successfully through graduation and beyond.

Higher Grade Point Averages 💯

Abundant research links stellar attendance to higher GPAs and test scores. In fact, one study shows that the #1 reason students fail a course is from being absent.

More Scholarships and College Opportunities 👩🏻‍🎓

Colleges want applicants with strong attendance showing perseverance. And it's not just colleges! If you're choosing a new school for middle school or high school, students must demonstrate good attendance above all.

Increased Lifetime Earnings and Success 🏦

Excellent attendance correlates to higher career achievement and earnings potential. And not just that! It correlates to better physical and mental health, healthier relationships, and a happier quality of life. Something we want for every child!