October 23, 2015
Dear Farmland Families,
What a wonderful week’s weather we have had! I hope it continues over the
weekend for you to enjoy with your families.
Every year, each elementary school in the county creates what we call our School
Improvement Plan. This plan is designed to set yearly goals as we strive to make sure
each child successfully progresses academically, emotionally, and socially. An
important component of this plan is to set equity and cultural proficiency goals. A
child’s self-perception and emotional well-being directly impact his or her availability
to learn. Our goal is to help promote children’s belief in themselves through
intentional communication of the four Key Messages:
1. This is Important.
2. You can do it.
3. I won’t give up on you.
4. Effective effort and strategies are what lead to achievement.
We will focus on developing a Growth Mindset in children in which they know and
believe that effort and achievement lead to success in learning versus having a Fixed
Mindset in which children believe they are either smart at something or they are
not. Dr. Carol Dweck, one of the world’s leading researchers in the field of
motivation, has written and spoken on the topic of Growth Mindset. I am attaching
an excellent ten-minute video of Dr. Dweck speaking on this topic that I believe you
will find very
valuable: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hiiEeMN7vbQ. Hopefully, with
school and home both sharing the same messages of motivation and strategies for
achievement and success, our children will grow up with the self-confidence and
skills to pursue and achieve their dreams.
As a bit of administrivia, I want to make sure our families are aware that masks are
not permitted as part of costumes. Unfortunately, they are a safety hazard as they
limit children’s vision. Also, if you do not want your child participating in the
Halloween festivities, and have not already done so, please make sure to inform your
classroom teacher and we will be hosting an alternate non-Halloween activity.
Looking forward to the PTA’s Halloween Dance this evening from 6:30-8:30. Hope to
see you there!
“Happiness lies in the joy of achievement and the thrill of creative effort.”
D. Roosevelt
–Franklin
Warmest regards,
Mrs. Bliss (Mary)
Principal