Dear EVCS students,

Welcome back!  I hope you had a restful and fun holiday weekend with your families!

This year we have an extra focus on our core value of self awareness.  Your teachers, your parents and I think it’s important that you strive to know yourselves, that you learn to reflect on your work, your words and your actions.  We want you to always try to improve and do your personal best.  One of the most important skills you can learn in elementary school is how to think about your thinking.  There are three things you can do practice thinking about your thinking: Plan, reflect, and evaluate.

First, plan.  This might mean making an outline, a mental map, or rehearsing what you are going to do in your mind before starting a task.

Then, reflect throughout each step of the task.  Sometimes we may need to change our plans a little once we have started.

Finally, evaluate.  Was this your best effort?  What could you have done differently?  What are your next

steps, or goals for the next time?

This year we are using a portfolio platform called Seesaw to help our students learn to think about their thinking, and become more self aware as learners.  I’m looking forward to seeing how you use Seesaw to reflect on and evaluate your great work!

I want to make sure everyone knows – this Friday our school will be having a movie night for kids!  We will be screening 4 different films: Sing, Boss Baby, Moana and a mix of short programs for our youngest students.  There will be popcorn and other treats, and pajamas are encouraged. It’s a fund raiser for the Parents Association, but it’s also an opportunity for parents to go out for a few hours, so please consider signing up.

Let’s finish with our candle breathing exercise. On the first breath make a wish for yourself.  On the second breath make a wish for someone you love.  On the third breath make a wish for someone who needs some extra love today.

Thanks very much to the amazing EVCS SWMM House Band!  And thanks to everyone who joined us today and sang loud and proud.  Have a great day.

Love,

Bradley