Greetings Ellen Hopkins Families!
We are in the middle of our fall PTAC fundraiser, the Ellen Hopkins WalkAThon! You should have received a link to share with family and friends to get pledges to support your student and our school. If you don't have the link for your student, follow this link and you can search for your child: Hopkins Walk-A-Thon: Pledge here: https://app.99pledges.com/fund/ellenhopki1
Homecoming Week: This week is homecoming week! Please see the attached flier for information on what each dress up day is. Also make sure to check out our Instagram @hopkinsspuds to see photos of students and staff having fun together this week as we celebrate being a Spud!
WalkAThon Event: Our WalkAThon event will be on October 13 during each grades' specials time. Families are welcome to come and cheer students on out at the track.
Penny War: We are also excited to share that we will be hosting a Penny War from Oct 8-13 as part of our WalkAThon. Parents and families members are welcome to add to the grade level pots before and after school, during the WalkAThon and at the fall movie night. Look for a flier in your child's backpack/take home folder with more details!
Fall Movie Night: We will also be celebrating our whole school with a movie night on October 13 from 5:30-7:30pm, put on by our Parent Teacher Advisory Committee. We hope to see lots of families there!
Understanding Executive Function Skills
We are starting a series about learning about executive function skills. They are like the control center in your child's brain. They help kids plan, organize, remember things, and make good choices. Think of it as the "boss" of the brain that tells everything else what to do. As a staff and with the students, we are all learning about the different executive function skills. There are twelve skills but they all fall into three categories:
Working Memory — This is your child's ability to remember and use information. For example, remembering three steps you just told them: "Put on your shoes, grab your backpack, and meet me at the door."
Cognitive Flexibility — This means your child can switch between different activities and handle changes. If their favorite toy isn't available, they can switch to a different game. Or if their routine changes, they can adjust without getting upset.
Inhibitory Control — This is your child's ability to stop and think before they act. It helps them not blurt out answers in class, resist grabbing a toy from a friend, or focus on homework even when there are fun things nearby.
Why This Matters
These skills help your child get ready for school, finish homework, follow directions, manage their feelings, and get along with others. The good news? These are skills you can help your child practice and grow at home every single day. When you help your child organize, plan ahead, and think about choices, you're building their executive function skills!
Look for ways to support your child in growing their executive function skills over the coming weeks!
Reminders:
We will have early out days on Friday, October 9 and Wednesday, October 14.
PowerSchool Registration: Make sure to complete PowerSchool registration as soon as possible. If you don't know your log in, check in with our front office.
Please call or stop by if you have any questions! We are here to help!
The Team at Ellen Hopkins Elementary