Longfellow Families,
I’d like to take a moment to highlight my Uncle John. Yesterday, I found out he was placed on hospice care and I’ve thought a lot about the impact he had on my life. As a child my parents got divorced. Every summer after the divorce, my mom would send my brother and I to stay on Uncle John’s farm in Iowa. It was heaven for a city kid. I have so many wonderful stories from this time, but one that stands out was the time that he yelled at us. Uncle John never yelled, but this time it was warranted. He raised pigs on his farm and my cousins, my brother, and I would try to ride them. It wasn’t the safest activity, but Uncle John just smiled and shook his head. As kids do, we upped the bar and decided we wanted to try riding the big pigs. We went to the boar’s pen. As I was about to climb onto one of the boars, I could hear him yelling and saw him running from the barn. I had never heard him even raise his voice. We met just outside the pen and he was shaking. He took a deep breath and bent down on one knee. He looked me straight in the eye and said, “Cory, those pigs are different. They can kill you.”
I learned from Uncle John that sometimes just being a gentle presence can have a lifelong impact on a kid. He helped heal wounds opened by divorce by just being there. I also learned that raising your voice is best used only when absolutely necessary. There are a million other things I’ve learned from him and I just wanted to take a moment in his honor. I appreciate each and every one of you and the impact you have on the kids of Longfellow. There are times you will raise your voice. Afterwards, take a breath, look them in the eye and turn it into a learning moment. More importantly, take the time to be there for all kids, grandkids, nieces, nephews and neighbors. The kids are our future.
Fall is upon us. As the trees shed their leaves, many of our students shed their coats during recess. Then, the whistle blows and that coat becomes a distant memory. Take a moment and make sure items are labeled with your student’s name. If you’ve lost a coat, sweatshirt, water bottle, or even that cherished stuffed animal, swing by the school at the end of the day. Our lost and found collection is growing and that treasured item just may be here, waiting to go home.
Another thing I wanted to highlight this week is a quick reminder about our morning routines. When your student arrives at school, help them to remember to head straight to the playground or straight to breakfast. Breakfast service ends at 8:05 so that students will have time to eat before heading to class at 8:10. If they’re not having breakfast, remind them to head straight to the playground. This helps us so that we can keep an eye on them and make sure that they are safe. For our kindergarteners, regardless of whether they’re eating school breakfast or not, have them start off by heading to their classrooms. The teachers like to help them ease into the day and know that they are safe.
Finally, Halloween is right around the corner, and staff have already begun planning. Celebrations will be happening at each individual grade level. Look for communications from your child’s teacher for what will be happening at their grade level. Celebrations will be at the end of the day. All that said, we understand that Halloween celebrations aren’t for everyone. If you’d like to sign your student out of school please do so around 2:00.
Thank you,
Cory Scheffel
Longfellow Principal
Notes:
-2nd Grade field trip Mon. Oct. 6th
-1st Grade field trip Wed. Oct. 8th
-2nd Grade field trip Weds. Oct. 8-Thurs. Oct. 9th
-4th Grade Bike Rodeo and Safety Program Thurs. Oct 9th
-Kindergarten field trip & Fire Dept. Visit Thurs. Oct 9th
-Mini Cheer Camp Tues. Oct. 7th-Thurs. Oct. 9th
-LPA Gaga Pit Install Fri. Oct. 10th