Winding down the first semester:  As we head toward the end of the semester, please make sure that your student continues to push through till the end of the grading period.  We sometimes see students looking forward to the break and they let up during the last couple of weeks.  I just hate seeing a student work hard for most of the semester, only to drop a grade level or two the last couple of weeks.  

Electronic devices:   As with all inventions, there is good and bad.  We all probably spend too much time in front of the computer or on our cell phone.   More and more studies are coming out stating that social skills are dropping off due to limited face to face communication.   Texting and emails seem to have taken the place of conversation.   I hope that over the break, parents and students will find time to actually sit down and talk.  Maybe take some time away from the cell phone or television and just talk.   Technology is great, but we still need the face to face interaction.  

Career choices:  Each year, I sit down with each student in grades 6 - 11.  I touch base with them on what they think they might want to do for a career when they get older.  It is always fascinating to see how many of them change their career choice through the years.   Please take time to talk with your student about what they think they might want to do some day.  Parental input is highly important and can be very influential in this area.   The more students are exposed to the information from various careers, the better chance they have of choosing a profession that they can be happy in for many years.  

Break time:  I do hope that everyone has a good break and finds time to spend with family and friends.  Please be safe during your time off and return safely to us on January 8^th.

WINTER WEATHER:  Living in Kansas means that the weather can change quickly and without warning.   As always, if we do have severe weather, a parent has the final decision in keeping a student at home or sending them to school.   Snow can have an impact on certain roads while other roads remain clear.   Notification of school closing will always be communicated through our messenger system, as well as phoned in to the local television stations.