School Opening Plans

Welcome back to a new school year!  I don't know about everyone else, but for me the beginning of the school year is the time for hopes, dreams, resolutions, and new beginnings.  It's a time to start afresh, with goals and plans.

At Neary, we have many new initiatives and plan for this year, and we hope it will be the best year yet for our students.  We will begin the year next Wednesday, September 1st, with a whole-school assembly, with music provided by the 5th grade band (!!! -- I know they'll be great!) and a welcome for all of our students.  On the first day, there will also be another assembly for each grade, as well as time for reminders of playground rules and time to play.

During the first week, our students should be coming away with two primary messages -- one about developing and implementing goals and plans, and another about treating each other respectfully -- and I'm hoping that parents will work with us as partners in helping students achieve both of these goals.

On the first day, our grade-level assemblies will feature Margot Rutledge, of KidsWin, speaking to students about goals and planning, and helping them to think about their own goals and how to "Make it happen!" Thinking about who they are, writing about their dreams and goals, and making plans to move forward toward those dreams and goals, can be wonderful for kids!  As they develop a sense of purpose, they also accomplish things, and then feel competent and proud of themselves.  This is the beginning of a solid sense of self and of purpose that will provide the foundation for our students to achieve.

On our second goal, helping students learn to treat each other respectfully, we will be emphasizing with students a two-step process, politely but assertively asking someone to stop a hurtful behavior, and telling an adult if the person does not stop.  This plan is intended to help students learn how to effectively assert themselves, provide feedback to those who need it on their behavior, and develop and maintain a safe, respectful atmosphere in our school.  Parents will be receiving a letter with more information during the first week of school, and we hope that you will join us in this work.

I am excited about these plans and about beginning a new year!  Here's to a great one for all of our students!