Mustang News Moorlands Web Site: http://moorlands.nsd.org

Number 6 February 6, 2017

Office Phone – 425-408-5100 Principal: Talena Graff

From the Principal:

A few of the sentences below are borrowed and paraphrased from another administrators letter to her community but stated in a way I wanted to share with our families.

I have to admit that when it comes to the news, I put in filters for myself. Sometimes I want to be very informed, other times I like a watered down version, and occasionally I avoid media all together. It is a self-preservation tactic, and perhaps a bit childish as I pretend things around me are calm and quiet, and I create a space that feels safe for my family. I share this in part because I have been torn lately. I very much want to ignore the news and yet I know I need to be informed and proactive for my family and as part of my work at Moorlands and in our community.

I was in a kindergarten classroom yesterday and was surprised that the students were engaged in a conversation about the politics, the presidency, and immigration. I just don't remember being politically minded or informed at that age. It was very deep and very innocent and sweet all at once. Our kids are trying to make sense of what they hear from the media and their parents, what they think they know to be true, and how it all relates to the people they see daily in their classroom and on the playground. Their conversation reminded me that although there are things that feel out of our control, the way we handle ourselves as parents, as educators, and as a community is not. We, at Moorlands, are unwavering in our commitment to a diverse and inclusive community.

We work daily towards a school where Moorlands PRIDE is represented. This means students are safe, prepared, respectful and, perhaps most importantly, inclusive. We will support and stand by each of you no matter religion, political belief, gender, ethnicity, disability, or country of birth. You all matter to us and we will support you.

We do not tolerate bullying, intimidation or any other actions that perpetuate bigotry, stereotypes or racism. We are here to help our students learn how to be prepared for the world we live in and how to have productive conversations about world-wide events and to gain the skills necessary to become active contributors to a positive community, be it here at school, in the city of Kenmore, or elsewhere in the world.  

For our students, we will continue to teach and think about what each of us can do on a daily basis in our community to show that we value a world of safety, respect for differences and inclusiveness for all.  Even small acts can have a meaningful impact. I know many of us are thinking about our friends and classmates who have loved ones in those countries named in the Executive Order. Thank you for showing kindness and compassion.

T.H.I.N.K. Before You Speak & The Power of WordsWritten by Sarah Albertson, Assistant Principal

We have all experienced the incredible power of words in our lives. Positive or negative, often times the words spoken to us or about us have a significant impact. How often do we think back to something unkind said to us and incorporate that statement into our own self- talk and self-esteem? Conversely, a kind word can turn around a bad day in an instant. The words we use with each other do matter and we can be intentional and thoughtful about how we think before we speak.

Author Don Miguel Ruiz once wrote, “Be impeccable with your word. Speak with integrity. Say only what you mean. Avoid using the word to speak against yourself or to gossip about others. Use the power of your word in the direction of truth and love”. This can be a tough order to fill at times. It can be really challenging to step back in the moment and really put intentionality and thought to the words you are going to say. One strategy that can help is the T.H.I.N.K. strategy. This is a way for children and adults to train themselves to ask some key questions before speaking. The questions are designed to help a person to gauge whether what they are planning to share will be useful to moving things forward or whether they need reconsider how or what they are communicating to others to make it a more productive conversation. It is important to note that using T.H.I.N.K. as a guideline does not preclude you from having tough conversations. Tough conversations with constructive feedback if delivered correctly can and do meet these criteria.

T.H.I.N.K. is a strategy that can be explicitly taught and practiced, even with young children. How often do we give our children the advice think before you speak, but we don’t give the guidance or support to be able to do this? T.H.I.N.K. is a strategy that gives some guidelines for what to consider as an individual thinks before speaking. Over time use of this strategy can build a strong habit of reflection, which in turn can positively impact interpersonal relationships. What a different experience some of those tough conversations could be if we just took the time to T.H.I.N.K. before we speak.

Birthday Book ClubHere is the latest list of Birthday Book Club members for the month of January. The Moorlands Elementary Library sure appreciates the donations as our library collection continues to expand.

Elizabeth W.-RogueMika R.-Deadly PredatorsAdela C.- All Hail the QueenAnika T.-The Cat Who Came In Off the RoofIsabelle E. - CatsGabe S.- How to Behave and WhySasha Z. – Owl Diaries: Eva Sees a GhostNolan S. – The Trials of ApolloSarah B. -MooBlake N. – Diary of a Minecraft ZombieSiena S.- The Night GardenerNathan D.- 28 DaysCharlotte H. – Hedge-Hedgy HedgehogsValeria Y.- Lost for Words

It’s Back!!!... Time to get ready for the

2016 Moorlands PTA Science Extravaganza!Wed. March 15th, from 4pm – 7pm

The Science Extravaganza will again be held mid-week. This will allow us to take advantage of our early dismissal day, reducing PTA costs for the Extravaganza and allowing us to keep it an annual, free event for participants.

Flyers and registration forms will be handed out by teachers in late January. For more information, visit the PTA website. Turn in your registration form by Wednesday, February 10th to give yourself the most time to prepare your boards.

It’s pretty easy…Do some science at home, Create a display, and Share your project!Science is FUN, and EVERYONE can do science!

The most important thing to remember is to HAVE FUN!

You can do your project with a partner if you would like.If you have any questions, please contact Joanne Chapple or Jay Swift at science@moorlandspta.org

Also, parents, please contact us if you would like to help with this event, as we need more volunteers!

DATES TO REMEMBERPlease regularly check the Moorlands Webpage for additional dates.February 2/7 3rd Grade Concert, Gym 6:30 pm 2/7 5th Grade Concert, Gym 7:30 pm 2/8 PTA Spelling Bee 6:00 pm 2/10 Early Release @ 11:50 am 2/20 – 2/24 Mid Winter Break

March 3/7 4th Grade Concert, Gym 6:30 pm 3/7 6th Grade Concert, Gym 7:30 pm 3/8 5th Grade Parent Camp Meeting, 6:00 pm 3/8 5th Grade Camp Counselor Meeting 6:30 pm 3/10 PTA Bingo Night, IHS 6:00 pm 3/15 PTA Science Fair, Gym 4:00 – 7:00 pm 3/21 PTA General Meeting, Library 7:00 pm 3/27-3/29 5th Grade Camp 3/28 3rd Grade Culture Open House 6:30 pm