Saint Michael Episcopal School
September 23, 2020
In This Issue
- Communications from SMES
- Carpool and Drop offs/Pick ups
- Important Carpool Reminders
- SHAPE Virtual Parenting Event
- Scholastic Online Book Fair
- Blessing of the Animals
- SEL Corner - Connecting with Your Child about School
Communications from SMES - We want you to be informed!
SMES Newsletter
- Don't miss important school wide information coming to you twice a month from SMES. Future newsletters will be hitting your inboxes on 10/7, 10/21, 11/4, 11/18, 12/2 and 12/16.
Class Connections
- Your child's teacher will communicate regularly about happenings inside the classroom - be sure to take note!
Instagram and Facebook
- This is a great way to not only know learn about SMES events & news, but to also catch a glimpse into what's happening inside and outside of the classrooms! Check back on old posts if you think you might have missed something. We are @smesdallas on Instagram and Saint Michael Episcopal School on Facebook.
- At the first of each month, you will receive fun and important information from various groups within the Parent Advisory. Don't miss out!
- We update our website regularly so you can find information ranging from COVID-19 resources and the Parent Handbook to SMES merchandise and recent newsletters.
Carpool Changes? Late Arrivals or Early Pick Ups? Playdates?
Important Carpool Times and Reminders
- PreK 4/Kindergarten are 8:30-8:45 and PreK 3s are 8:45-9:00.
- Twos (Cherubs, Angels and Blessings) are 8:30-8:45 and Toddlers (Little Lambs, Stars, Doves and Saints) are 8:45-9:00.
- For PreK children without younger siblings, carpool begins at 11:45 at our new entrance.
- For PreK children with younger siblings or Toddlers/Twos leaving mid-day, it is a noon pick up at the north campus entrance.
A SHAPE Parenting Event - Virtual Drop and Drip for All Parents
Join Katie Balderston, SMES Director of Cirriculum and Professional Development, as she shares some practical ways to develop Social Emotional learning in our little ones.
Register in advance for this meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0oc-iqqT4vGNHaocQSmnYsod2V2NBXnlol
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
Scholastic Online Book Fair starts September 25
You’re invited to shop our Scholastic Book Fair online from September 25-October 8!
Visit our Book Fair Homepage and click “Shop Now” to get started:
https://www.scholastic.com/bf/stmichaelepiscopalschool2
All purchases benefit our school and connect kids with new books, favorite characters, complete series, and more.
You’ll love the NEW option to shop for Book Fair exclusives directly from the interactive booklist and enjoy these special online shopping features:
- Over 6,000 items, including new releases, best sellers, and value packs
- All orders ship direct to home
- FREE shipping on book-only orders over $25*
- All purchases support our school and earn 25% in rewards
Happy reading!
Blessing of the Animals at SMAA, October 4th!
Carpool Conversations - Talking with your child about school!
School is well underway, the hallways are bubbling with laughter and joy is floating out of the classrooms. The SMES teachers get to experience the magic of young children and see the light bulb moments, the relationship building, and the development of new skills each day. Especially this year, we recognize that as parents you do not get to bear witness to this environment that sometimes rivals Disney World! Instead, your lasting memory might be your child in carpool, possibly upset to leave you in the mornings. Then when you pick them up, expecting a full report, you child might often respond to the inquiry: “How was your day?” with a simple: “Fine.”
Know that the inconsistent message of a child not wanting to go to school, but then having a great day is developmentally normal. Kids have always mixed feelings about separating from a caregiver, even before we add in the complication of a pandemic for 6 months! What you can do, to encourage your child to self-regulate, is to remind them how much they love school!
Next time your child is upset on the way to school or in the carpool line, remember these co-regulation tips to help save both of you some tears:
1. Show them pictures.
At the breakfast table, show them pictures from their Instagram feed and how much fun they are having. Point out their friends and recreate the fun memories from their classroom.
2. Don’t apologize.
Children take our words very literally and it adds to the anxiety when you are upset with them (they feed off of this!) or apologetic when taking them to school. Instead, reassure them: “You are safe! You will have so much fun and I will be back to get you. I always come back."
3. Have a carpool conversation.
On the way to school, ask you child their favorite thing they did the day before. If they are not yet verbal or unable to come up with something, begin prompting them based on what you’ve seen on Instagram or heard from teachers. “I bet you get to play with blocks today! Ms. Carol said you love blocks!” This will encourage the child’s brain to begin to connect happy thoughts with the school experience and prepare them for the transition to school.
SMES
Email: ekeogh@smesdallas.org
Website: smesdallas.org
Location: 4344 Colgate Avenue, Dallas, TX 75225, USA
Phone: 214-361-1224