• A Message from Dr. Clapp and Mrs. Mohr

• Classroom Peeks

• HKMS Happenings

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Dear HKMS Families,

What a fantastic morning we all had walking and riding to school!  Thank you to the over 175 students who participated and all the families and dogs who walked in, provided snacks, and enjoyed the morning with our awesome middle schoolers!  Shout out to Chief of Police Koskinas, Officer Steinke and the HKMS staff for their participation.  A big thank you to the parents who cleared the path from leaves and branches this morning before we all arrived! Check out all the beautiful pictures in the Happenings section!

As discussed at open house, for each of the next few weeks we will highlight one skill that will give your child a competitive advantage in school and beyond.  These are skills we are working on in school, but will really only flourish if also worked on at home.   Each skill will include a rational and some ideas on how you can promote it at home.  This week's skill is:

 "Being Coachable"  

Rationale: 

• Making mistakes is not a sign of weakness. Mistakes give adults in kids' lives a chance to "coach" our children to better future outcomes.

• Middle schoolers who fuel their growth with feedback from their parents, teachers, and other trusted adults will more easily overcome challenges, and reach new levels of success, and ask for more help when suck in the future. 

• Coachability become a virtuous cycle.  The more a child is able to intake feedback, the more they grow, and ask for more help, resulting in more feedback! 

What you can do to promote:  

• Model and help your child practice the "Ouch! Thank you" response. Sometimes the feedback we receive hurts. Instead of becoming defensive, say, "ouch, thank you" (especially in front of your children).  That phrasing opens up dialogue that can help us grow and improve, rather then dig in and push back.  It's not easy, but it works!

• Focus on Effort! Praise your child's hard work and persistence, teaching them that success comes from effort, not just natural talent. 

• Use positive reframing: Help your child see setbacks as learning opportunities and a natural part of the process of improvement. 

• Model and expect active listening: Practice listening skills at home by having your child follow instructions for daily tasks.  Maintaining eye contact, using affirmative body language (e.g., nodding along), and asking follow up questions.  These seem like simple actions to adults, but are actually skills that need to be practiced.  Children have to be taught and shown these skills.  When we put down our phone, book, spatula, lawnmower, or other task and really listen to our kids, they will internalize that as how they should actively listen too! 

Well, there sure was a ton of middle school coaching going on at HKMS this week.  Check out this week's newsletter to get all caught up!

Hoping you have a fantastic weekend!  

Sincerely,

Steve Clapp, Ed.D. &   Annie Mohr

Principal Assistant Principal

Sixth grade scientists are investigating the effect that light has on water when it is in different color containers.  

Who knew that bath bombs were so scientifically fascinating?!?  Dr. Baca's students tested chemical reactions by dropping water, oil and vinegar on bath bombs.  They honed their skills of observational note taking while practicing the "notice and wonder" technique of science experimentation.  

Our young PLTW engineers are constructing towers made up of straws, pipe cleaners, and a little tape to build the highest tower (that can support a tennis ball.  Triangles are the shape of choice for these engineers.  

Students are using "mixed media" to draw an color this vibrant pieces!

SEPTA!

Easton's Special Education Parent Teacher Association