Click on a month for specific information:

SEPTEMBER
OCTOBER
NOVEMBER
DECEMBER
JANUARY

FEBRUARY                                          MARCH
APRIL
MAY

September's Word of the Month:

GOOD MANNERS

With a new school year underway, what better time to teach the basics of good manners to young people! These important life skills enable children to get along better with their classmates, teachers and families.

The principles of respect, kindness, courtesy and thoughtfulness help every boy and girl to be more aware of others and their needs. When children learn and practice good manners, they can and will feel good about themselves.

Manners are also an effective form of discipline, both in and out of the classroom. Children learn socially acceptable and responsible behavior.

Parents may reinforce the concept of good manners by:

• Having their children practice the "golden rule." Stress the importance of treating others in the same way they would like to be treated.
• Empathizing with others. Have your children understand what thoughtless and unkind things can do to someone else. Ask them questions like "How would you feel if someone pointed at you and started to laugh?"
• Using words not actions. Show your child how to respond calmly and firmly with words instead of actions.
• Taking turns. Establish "zero tolerance" for behavior such as pushing, crashing a line or bullying.
• Sharing. Help your child understand the importance of sharing with others in school and in life.
• Being honest. When they admit doing something wrong, tell them that you would have been more disappointed if they had not admitted their mistake.
• Saying thank you! Teach your children the importance of thanking people for gifts and other kindnesses. Show them how to write a personal and prompt note on special stationary or a note card to friends and family.
• Modeling good manners. If you want your child to show good manners and respect, you have to exhibit appropriate behavior too! Saying please and thank you, admitting your mistakes, apologizing and treating both friends and strangers with kindness and respect.
• Praising good behavior and manners. Let your children know how proud you are when you "catch" them being polite (which is what I try to do at Eames Way School with our S.T.A.R. Program).

October's Word of the Month:

RESPECT

Respect is showing others they are valued for who they are, for their character, not what they look like or what they have.  It means never insulting or making fun of others who are different in looks, ability, race or religion.  A respectful person is polite, and does not use bad language or hit.

What Parents Can Do To Promote Respect:

1. Teach children by treating others, including children, with respect. Avoid ugly remarks about others, especially those that demean because of race, religion, ethnicity, or looks.
2. Encourage your child to avoid hitting, teasing and rudeness by your praise and example, and impose consequences for disrespectful conduct.
3. Insist that your child address others by Mr., Mrs., or Ms., unless the adult requests to be called by his or her first name.
4. Always be polite and use polite expressions such as "please", "thank you", and "excuse me". Encourage your child to do likewise. Find nice things to say about others and teach your child to do so.
5. Young children are naturally physical and may hit or push. Practice ways to help your child keep their hands to themselves.

November's Word of the Month:

CITIZENSHIP

 The report of the Advisory Group on Education for Citizenship and the Teaching of Democracy in Schools identifies three inter-related components that should run through all education for Citizenship.

• Social and moral responsibility:
  Pupils learning - from the very beginning - self-confidence and socially and morally responsible behaviour both in and beyond the classroom, towards those in authority and towards each other.
• Community involvement:
  Pupils learning about becoming helpfully involved in the life and concerns of their neighbourhood and communities, including learning through community involvement and service to the community.
• Political literacy:
  Pupils learning about the institutions, problems and practices of our democracy and how to make themselves effective in the life of the nation, locally, regionally and nationally through skills and values as well as knowledge - a concept wider than political knowledge alone.

Parents may reinforce good citizenship by:

• remembering to play by the rules and teaching children to respect teachers, coaches, police officers and others who have been given authority
• voting and sharing your opionions on elections with your children
• explaining why we stand for the national anthem
• obeying laws and rules
• holding a family discussion about what things you can do together to take more responsibility for the environment (recycling, using less water and energy, buying non-polluting products, etc.). Make a plan and do it.
• participating in a community service project with your children.
• watching a television program together, and talk about ways in which the characters were either good citizens or bad citizens.

December's Word of the Month:

CARING 

Caring is being kind, helpful, considerate, generous and charitable.  Caring people are not selfish people.  They are considerate and think how their conduct affects others and how they feel.  Caring people are charitable and forgiving and they do good even without expecting a reward.  They take good care of themselves and do their very best at the jobs they do.

Children can practice caring by:

• Giving someone in school a compliment.
• Asking someone at home what help they need and then do it for them.
• Listening when others are talking without interrupting them.
• Sharing a toy, game or book with a friend at school or with someone at home.

Parents may reinforce caring by:

• Help your child develop a caring attitude by discussing how others feel and encourage them to express how they feel.
• Helping your child write and send thank-you notes to those who have given them a gift or helped them out is some way.
• Find ways to help out and involve your child in helping others.
• Make your child aware of acts of kindness.  Remember you are a powerful role model.
• Talk with your children about the importance of doing things for other people. Remind them often that they have the power to brighten another person's day through a simple act of kindness.
•  Participate in a community service project with your children.
• Catch your child being caring, that is doing something kind and generous for another person.
• Watch a television program together, and talk about the various ways in which the characters acted uncaring or caring towards one another.

January's Word of the Month:

FAIRNESS  

Fairness involves playing by the rules, taking turns and listening to what others have to say.  Fair people consider all sides before they decide and they don't blame others for things they did not do.  People who are fair understand that everyone deserves to have an equal chance.  Learning to share and cooperate with others is a big part of becoming a fair person. 

Parents may reinforce fairness at home by:

• Encouraging fairness by praising family members when they take turns or share with one another, let them know "you are proud of them being so fair."
• Encouraging family members to take turns talking at the table, let each family member have his/her turn in the spotlight.
• Listen to your child.  It is a matter of both fairness and respect.  Model how to be a good listener for your child.
• Role play fair and unfair situations with your child so they get a better awarness of both sides.
• Play games at home by the rules and make no exceptions for anyone.

February's Word of the Month:

SELF-DISCIPLINE

Self Discipline means being responsible for yourself, in all the things you say and do.  A self-disciplined person thinks before they act and is in control of his/her behaviors.  With self-discipline you choose to follow the rules; to do the right thing; to treat others the way you want to be treated.  You are "in-charge" of yourself and you have the power to control your behaviors.  It is the right choice to make every time. 

April's Word of the Month:

COMMUNITY BUILDING

Each classroom is a community in which students can learn to solve social problems in ways that include their own needs and experiences.  Our "Second Step" program and teaching children about "I" messages helps them to deal with personal problems of a minor nature.  Critical-thinking skills are an important part of the social-relationship building that leads to productive classroom communities.  Help your classroom to be the best community of learners it can be and in turn EWS will be too!

May's Word of the Month:

Responsibility is being dependable and accountable for your words and your actions.  Responsible people do what needs to be done.  They don't blame others for their behavior or actions and friends can count on them to keep their promises. 

Taking responsibility for your actions is important.  The best place for children to learn to take responsibility for their own behavior is right at home. 

Do you accept consequences for your behavior?
Do you take care of your thinks without being told?
Do you do your homework and organize yourself for school the next day?
Do you take care of your appearance and hygiene?
Do you do the jobs given you to do at home without complaining?