SkyView Academy Thursday Wire
September 17, 2026
One of the most important skills we can help children develop as they grow is independence. We can give them the skills to solve problems on their own, make good choices, handle mistakes, and ask for help. This helps to build their confidence and prepares children to navigate school and life with greater resilience.
As parents, we sometimes find it hard to know when to step in and when to give our children the space to figure things out on their own. The goal is not to let children struggle alone, it is important to support them without immediately solving the problem for them.
Here are a few suggestions of what we can do to help our kids build independence and be the best that they can be.
Establish daily routines:
- Use checklists or picture schedules for morning and after-school routines so children know what comes next without constant reminders
- Have your child pack their own backpack, check the weather, and lay out their clothes the night before
- Encourage children to manage a simple homework planner and decide the order in which they complete their assignments
Build problem-solving skills
- When your child says, “I don't know how to do this,” ask, “What have you tried so far?” or “What do you think the first step is?”
- Before stepping in, give your child time to think through the problem independently
- Encourage your child to reread directions and look for helpful information before asking an adult
- Instead of immediately giving an answer, offer a question or small hint that helps your child find the answer themselves
Give children meaningful responsibilities
- Assign regular household jobs that are appropriate for your child's age, such as setting the table, feeding a pet, putting away laundry, or helping prepare a simple meal
- Let children take ownership of age-appropriate tasks rather than doing the task for them even if the way you do it may be faster or easier
- Gradually increase responsibilities as your child's skills and confidence grow
Let them make mistakes
- Allow children to make mistakes when it is safe to do so
- Instead of focusing on the mistake, ask, “What could you do differently next time?”
- Remember that mistakes are opportunities to practice planning, problem-solving, and responsibility
Build confidence and stamina
- Start small. For example, begin with five minutes of independent work and gradually increase the amount of time as your child becomes more comfortable
- Praise persistence, effort, and problem-solving rather than focusing only on the final outcome
- Notice and name their growth: “You figured that out without me telling you what to do.”
- Remind children that asking for help is also an important part of being independent. Independence does not mean doing everything alone. It means knowing when to try, when to problem-solve, and when to ask for help
When we give children the opportunity to try, make mistakes, and try again, we help them discover that they are capable of more than they may realize.
Thank you,
Stacey Gardner
Elementary Counselor
SkyView ASL Teacher Serves With US Hunger on September 11th
High school American Sign Language teacher Lauren Davis had the opportunity to work in New York City with US Hunger and 9/11 Day of Service to pack over 4 million meals for the community.
From Ms. Davis: “Throughout the week, we worked aboard the aircraft carrier Intrepid, packaging rice, lentils, vegetables, and more. The goal was to transform a day of tragedy into a day of good and service. It was so special to see the community rally together 25 years later to commemorate this historic milestone and honor the day through service. This project resulted in 20 million meals completed nationwide!”
Picture Retakes October 2
Picture Retake Day is coming up on Friday, October 2nd. Please complete the Picture Retake Form by Sunday, September 27th at 4:00 pm if your student did not have their picture taken during Student Check-In Day in August, or if you are not happy with your student’s picture and would like a new one.
If you purchased pictures and would like a retake, please send the picture packet with your student on October 2nd, and they will give it to the photographer. You will receive an email from our photography company with the new picture approximately 2 weeks after Picture Retake Day.
I Scream, You Scream, We All Scream For Ice Cream!
What could be better than a nice cold ice cream after a long day of Field Day festivities?
September 25th (Field Day), SkyView Educational Partner Alsies Ice Cream will be parked in the Lockheed Parking Lot from 2:30-4:00, serving up a variety of delicious cold treats (dairy and nut-free options available!). A portion of the proceeds goes back to SkyView.
Look for Alsies once a month after school and treat yourself!
September 25, October 30, November 20, and December 18.
This Is The Last Weekend To Earn for Field Day!
Thanks to you, donations have been surging! Your generosity and support mean more to us than you could ever know. Because of you, we can offer the excellent academic experience SkyView is known for!
Funds raised this year will go toward important enhancements such as:
- Campus & Facility Improvements
- Outdoor Learning & Recreation
- Classroom Resources & Organization
- Student Accessibility & Language Support
We’re inching closer to our $45,000 goal, but we still need your help to get there! If your student already has a campaign page, now is the perfect time to share it again with family, friends, and neighbors.
If you haven’t started yet, it’s not too late! Create Your Student's Campaign Page. Activation emails come from noreply@bolder.bid and may be hiding in your promotions or spam folders.
If you don't want to create a personal Field Day Campaign for your student but still want to donate, you can donate here. Please add your student's first and last name to your donation so we can ensure they receive their personal prizes, if eligible. *These donations will not go toward classroom totals.
The race is getting heated for the top three classrooms... Where will we end up next Thursday?!
#1 DeBoer
#2 Dehaan
#3 Bakke
#4 Hermes
#5 Thornton
Meet Me on Sunset Blvd
The sun is setting, the palm trees are swaying, and Homecoming is calling!
Join us for a night under the California sunset at this year’s Homecoming Dance: Sunset Blvd!
Saturday, October 3. 7:30 - 10:30 PM
Tickets on sale on MySchool Bucks for $20 per person.
Think golden hour, warm summer nights, Hollywood lights, palm trees, and dancing your way down Sunset Blvd.
Want to bring a guest? Guests are welcome! All non-SVA guests must have a completed and approved guest form before the dance. Forms are located in the High School office and are due by Wednesday, Sept 30th.
Grab your friends, dress for your Sunset Blvd moment, and get ready to dance the night away as the sun goes down.
Chase the sunset. Stay for the music. Make it a Homecoming to remember.
More details for Homecoming Week will be sent via email.
