It is hard to believe that we are quickly
approaching the second semester of the school year. While we focus on finishing
this year strong, it is also time to begin planning for the 2017-2018 school
year. Scheduling letters were just sent home to our families of students in all
three grades to provide an overview of the different course requirements and
possible electives that they can take as they begin to think about the next
school year.
In addition to the letters, school counselors
have been connecting directly with our 8th grade students to discuss
the scheduling process and the opportunities that students have as they prepare
to make the move to the High School. An important component in the scheduling process
and transition to the High School for our 8th grade students is our 8th Grade Parent Night which
will take place on Tuesday, January 24th
at the West Genesee High School Auditorium at 7:00 PM.
All Students Can Achieve Great Things
At the start of the
school year you may remember me discussing our entire staff engaging in a
summer reading of the book Mindset by
Carol Dweck, Ph.D. in one of my blogs. During our faculty meetings this school year we
have been diving into the book and learning a great deal about the science of
motivation, the value of meaningful feedback and the power of our words when we
speak to our children in a school setting, at home and on the athletic fields. With
effort, motivation, perseverance and a variety of strategies and approaches,
all of our students can achieve great things in school and in their other
pursuits.
While working closely with Mrs. Lozier, Camillus
Middle School Principal, on this staff professional development, we thought
that it would be extremely valuable and worthwhile to put together a middle
level workshop for parents to share some of the really powerful things that we
have discovered. With that, please mark your calendar for the Got
Growth Mindset! Presentation on January
31st at 6:30 PM at West Genesee Middle School in the
cafeteria. In one hour we will share with you strategies, tips and examples
of how to help build a growth mindset with your child at home and what we can
do as adults to build more resilient children.
Working with nearly 700 young adolescent student-athletes, student-musicians,
and their parents on a daily basis, I can assure you that we need to build more
resiliency in our kids. We hope you will join us on January 31st.
Continued Success,
Steve Dunham
Twitter: @Sdunhamwgms
Email: sdunham@westgenesee.org
