Developing Independence and Self-Advocacy Skills: The Lincoln-Eliot faculty has been reflecting on how to help students develop independence and self-reliance skills. We brainstormed various areas of expectations for independence and realized these skills fell into three broad areas: self-help skills, social skills, and academic skills.
As a school we are implementing Responsive Classroom techniques to promote student autonomy and problem solving skills.
We are also working with students to develop independence in academic areas by teaching them to independently read directions and utilize strategies they have learned before asking an adult for help. There are very few tasks students are assigned that have not been taught and modeled. We want to see students take ownership and responsibility for their work by applying the strategies they have been taught and persevering through seemingly difficult problems.
Under self-help skills we listed things students needed for daily life such as the ability to tie your shoes, zip your coat, boots, snowpants, pack up your belongings, organize materials, follow daily routines, and open and clean up snack supplies. This is where we can use your help! Please help your child learn to dress himself/herself in winter outerwear, zip their coats, and tie their shoes. These are developmental skills we expect most children to have by kindergarten and first grade. You can help your child to learn independent organizational skills by developing a constant structure of where to put their backpacks and papers and how to prepare their materials in the evening so they are ready to go the next morning. I have attached an article the faculty has read about ways to promote independence with homework.
Life is very busy and it is often easier to do for them than to take the time to teach and practice some of these skills. As the old proverb goes, “Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.” It is more worthwhile to teach someone to do something than to do it for them.
Reminder Outdoor Recess: We will go outside for recess (even with snow) unless the “feels like” temperature falls below 20 degrees Farenheit. Please be sure to send your child(ren) to school with warm clothes – hats, mittens, winter coats, boots, and snow pants (when there is snow). This is where it is really helpful that your child can dress and zip themselves as we are moving 100+ children at a time outside.
Also, please LABEL outer clothes so we can return missing items to your child.
SAVE THE DATE- January 25th (8:30-9:30 a.m.) PTO Meeting with Superintendent David Fleishman and School Committee Members: We want to hear from you! Please join Superintendent David Fleishman and members of the Newton School Committee for their annual visit to our school. The meeting will include a brief update on district initiatives, followed by an interactive session to answer your questions and listen to feedback. Light refreshments will be served.
Family Science Night: SAVE THE DATE- Tues. February 23rd. Lincoln-Eliot is excited to host our second Family Science Night. We are moving into the gym this year to allow for more space based on last year’s participation. We hope every child (and family) work on a science project. Family Science Night is not a competition. Students may work independently, with a partner, or with their family. All participants receive a participation medal. See the attached flyer for details.
Community News
Pajama Story Time with the Newton Police Department – Tuesday, January 26
TIME: 6:30PM
LOCATION: Newton Police Department, 1321 Washington Street, Newton, MA 02465
Responsive Home Workshop for ELL Families – Thursday, February 4
Childcare and interpreters available upon request. Light refreshments provided.
TIME: 6:30-8:30PM
LOCATION: Room 210, The Education Center, 100 Walnut Street, Newton, MA 02460
Teachers manage behavior in school using Responsive Classroom techniques that can be used to help create a calm, supportive and encouraging environment at home too! More details can be found in the attached flyer.
Newton North High School 4th Annual Mattress Fundraiser – Saturday, February 27
TIME: 10AM-5PM
LOCATION: Newton North High School Cafeteria
The Newton North High School Lacrosse Program is pleased to host its 4th annual mattress fundraiser sale. This sale was VERY successful for the last three years, and has been in school districts all over the country for nearly 10 years.
Newton Girls Soccer Juniors and IM Spring Soccer Registration NOW OPEN
REGISTER NOW
Registration Deadlines: Register by March 5 to have a friend request considered. After March 5, a $15 late fee applies and placement is contingent on space. Click here for registration guidelines.
Click here for information about the juniors (Grade K-2) program.
Click here for information about the intramural (Grade 3-9) program.