Principal Corner

As I write my principal corner today, there are so many different thoughts going through my mind. Should I write about what is the right amount of screen time for children, or about students seeming to be ok just getting by and not giving their best effort, or how do you get the horse to drink if you lead him to water. As I thought what I should focus on there was only one answer. I need to focus on God. When we put God at the center of our lives it may not answer my above questions, but it puts everything into perspective. God is the maker of the universe and of us, He knows all things and He loves to talk with us. A few years back our theme was God’s Got This. When the many questions of life are coming our way and we do not seem to know what to do, remember God is with us, He will guide us and take care of us. And it is ok to ask for help from God, and from those around you. Nothing is too big for God and He loves each and everyone of us.

New Research on Kids and Screens

The Mayo Clinic just released new research and advisories for caring adults who oversee kids and teens. The earlier in life a child is on a screen, the greater they’re likely to struggle later. The more hours a kid spends on a screen, the greater they’ll struggle later. I recently met with educators who serve the same children, from the same cluster of schools, kindergarten through high school. They’ve witnessed what the data indicates nationwide. One case study of a boy was especially enlightening. Koby was obsessed with tablets at age five and continued to use them for at least four hours a day in elementary school and up to eight hours a day in middle and high school. As he grew older, Koby was unable to resolve conflict with his peers, or to wait on what he wanted, and he eventually threw tantrums as a young teen. This smart student required interventions primarily due to his exposure to screens over face-to-face interaction.

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) advises “eliminating screen time for children younger than age two completely, linking it to language learning delays.” Incidentally, screen time includes all forms: TVs, movies, video games, computers, tablets, and cell phones. In short, here are the recommendations from the academy:

No screen time for children under 2 years old.
One hour per day for children 2 to 12 years old.
Two hours per day for teens and adults.

Research has shown that screen time inhibits young children’s ability to read faces and diminishes social skills, two key factors needed to develop empathy. Face-to-face interactions are the only way children learn to understand nonverbal cues and interpret them. A growing body of evidence suggests that screen viewing before the age of 18 months not only has lasting negative effects on children’s language development, but reading skills and short-term memory as well. It also contributes to problems with sleep and attention.

NEED PARENT SERVICE HOURS??

We ask that families do a set number of hours each school year, helping out, to get you involved in the school! Each family is required to do 10 hours of service (except Preschool only families is 5 hours). This can be helping out at PTL events, helping with sporting events, driving to games, driving for field trips or chaperoning or many various other tasks we call upon our families to help with. Tonight we have home volleyball games and could use some more volunteers! AND we have a soccer game tomorrow and we could use some line judges. Some PTL events are coming up soon and will need all hands on deck! Lots of opportunity to get hours.

GOT CARDINAL SPIRIT?!? COME CHEER US ON!

Soccer & Volleyball Schedule. It can also be found on the website under Parents > Athletic Calendars

THE RESULTS ARE IN

WE RAISED $22461!!!

CONGRATS 1ST GRADE!!! You got the highest class average of fundraising!!
CONGRATS also to 3rd Grade who is the only class to have 100% participation in fundraising and got a bonus $450 added to their total, putting them in 2nd place!

TOTAL MILES RAN: 590.75

We had many classes run lots of laps, but our 5th Grade ran the longest distance!!!

COMING SOON…..a student corner. Articles written by the students. Ms. Kemp is going to come up with a specific theme or topic and we are going to start having 7th & 8th Graders write a little blurb in the newsletter. Keep your eyes out in the upcoming weeks.