Dear Families,
As we transition into April, we’re excited to welcome the arrival of spring and all the wonderful activities it brings! The month will be filled with fun learning experiences, special events, and new growth in the classroom. The sun has been shining and the warmer weather has brought renewed energy to our classrooms. We are in the home stretch of the school year but are still focused on student learning, well-being and achievement.
Kindness Campaign Update
We have been focused on promoting kindness since February at Alexandra. Our kindness leadership team has been creating announcements to teach about kindness and our staff have been recognizing kindness with “tickets” when it is demonstrated. In February we have 109 kindness tickets. We will be counting those for March shortly.
What parents can do at home to promote kindness?
Promoting kindness in children is crucial for fostering empathy, compassion, and positive relationships. Here are some tips for parents to encourage and model kindness:
- Lead by Example: Children learn by observing their parents. Show kindness in your interactions with others, whether it’s with family, friends, or even strangers. Be mindful of your language, tone, and actions, as children are highly influenced by how you behave.
- Praise Kindness: When your child shows kindness, acknowledge it with praise and encouragement. Reinforce the behavior by pointing out what they did and how it made others feel. This will motivate them to continue being kind.
- Encourage Empathy: Help children understand how others might feel by discussing emotions and situations. Ask questions like, “How do you think your friend felt when that happened?” or “How would you feel if someone did that to you?” This helps children put themselves in others’ shoes.
- Create Opportunities for Acts of Kindness: Find ways to practice kindness together, like helping a neighbour, donating toys, or volunteering. These activities give children hands-on experiences of being kind and generous.
- Teach Respect and Responsibility: Help children understand that kindness includes respecting other people’s feelings, space, and needs. Teach them that their actions have consequences on others, and encourage them to be responsible for their actions.
- Encourage Sharing and Cooperation: Guide your children in sharing toys, taking turns, and working together with others. These small acts of cooperation can develop a lifelong understanding of kindness and community.
- Foster Gratitude: Teach children to express gratitude by acknowledging the kindness they receive from others. This can help them recognize the value of being kind and create a cycle of positivity.
- Use Books and Stories: Reading books or telling stories that emphasize kindness can spark conversations and teach important lessons. Look for stories where characters demonstrate empathy, cooperation, and helping others.
- Discuss Conflict Resolution: Teach your child to resolve disagreements peacefully and with kindness. Encourage them to use words instead of physical actions, and to listen to others’ perspectives.
- Practice Patience and Understanding: Children are still learning and may struggle with expressing kindness at times. Be patient and offer guidance when needed, helping them reflect on situations and how they could respond more kindly next time.
Remember, kindness is a skill that can be nurtured over time, and the more you emphasize its importance, the more it will become a natural part of your child’s behaviour.
School Updates
- Spring Weather and Outdoor Recess: We have had a few days of warm weather that have made it feel like spring is just around the corner. Students will be going outside even if the grass is muddy or the pavement is wet. Please send students with rubber boots and splash pants (for younger students). For all grade levels, an extra pair of socks or a change of clothes kept in the backpack will reduce the number of phone calls home.
Upcoming Events:
- PigMania (K-3) at the Academy Theatre (April 7)
- Dairy Educator In-Class Presentations (April 10)
- Junior Basketball Tournament (April 16)
- Good Friday (April 18)
- Easter Monday (April 21)
- Intermediate Basketball Tournament (April 21)
Learning Highlights:
- Curriculum Focus: In Math, our students will engage in focusing on the fundamentals of math (counting, adding, subtracting, multiplying and dividing). Our instructional goal is to develop fact fluency or the ability to know math facts with speed and efficiency.
- Character Assembly Winners: Congratulations to the following students who were recognized at our February Character Education Assembly. Each of these students demonstrated optimism by maintaining a positive outlook when faced with challenging situations. Congratulations to: Austin R., Charlie, Beckham, Ayden, Greyson C., Isabella, Mac, River, Daryna, Walker, Alexis, Beau, Emily G., Bella, Charlotte, Scarlett, Polina and Madison J. Check out our social media for a photo of this month’s winners.
School Council Updates:
Parent Council is organizing 2 hot lunches in April. Tacos are available for order on April 3, 2025, and Chicken Burger/Nuggets on April 17, 2025. Both items are available for purchase now on School Cash Online.
Parent Council has a fundraiser for Vandeemer nurseries. Check out our social media for more details. If you ordered, please plan to pick it up on April 16, 2025.
Amazon Wishlist:
Now that we are halfway through the school year, our staff have been busy updating their Amazon Wishlist. If you want to support your student’s classroom, this is a great way to do so within your budget! Check it out: https://www.amazon.ca/registries/gl/guest-view/2PO54QGT4T7TM
Please remember that my door is always open—whether you have questions, concerns, or just want to share something positive happening in your child’s life. We’re in this together, and I’m always here to support you and your family.
Warm regards,
Kristi Henshall
Principal
Alexandra Public School
