Dear Mozart Elementary Families,

The second semester is off to a strong start and has already been jam-packed with intentional instruction and meaningful student learning. Our teachers continue to plan purposeful, engaging lessons that support student progress and academic growth across all grade levels.

Daily attendance plays a critical role in student success. When students are present and on time, they are able to fully engage in instruction and take advantage of valuable learning opportunities. We also encourage families to support student participation in our after-school tutoring programs. These sessions provide additional academic support, targeted instruction, and valuable practice that help reinforce classroom learning.

Motivation from home makes a powerful difference. Encouraging your child to attend school daily, participate in tutoring when needed, and stay committed to learning helps build confidence and long-term success.

Thank you for your continued partnership as we work together to ensure a successful and productive semester for all students.

Respectfully,

Maria Cantu

Mozart Elementary Core Values

Supporting Our Core Values at Home

At Mozart Elementary, we work every day to help students live out our core values: Be Safe, Be Responsible, and Be Respectful. These values guide our expectations, shape our school culture, and help students develop strong habits that will serve them well in and out of the classroom. Your partnership in reinforcing these messages at home makes a tremendous difference.

Here are a few simple ways families can help support these core values:

Be Safe

• Talk with your child about safe choices—online, at home, and in the community.

• Establish routines like consistent bedtimes, healthy meals, and safe technology use.

• Encourage them to speak up if something doesn’t feel right.

Be Responsible

• Help your child practice responsibility by setting up a spot for their backpack, homework, and school materials.

• Encourage them to take ownership of their actions, finish tasks, and ask for help when needed.

• Model responsibility by following through on commitments and showing how to manage time.
  
  

Be Respectful

• Practice active listening at home—taking turns speaking and acknowledging others’ feelings.

• Encourage your child to use kind words and show empathy toward family members, friends, and classmates.

• Model respectful communication, even during disagreements.

When students see these values emphasized both at home and at school, they learn that these expectations are not just rules, but lifelong skills. Thank you for your partnership and support in helping our students grow into safe, responsible, and respectful young people. Together, we build a strong and caring school community.

Mindfulness and Positive Self Esteem Connection

Understanding Mindfulness
Mindfulness involves being present and fully engaged in the moment, which helps individuals recognize and accept their thoughts and feelings without judgment. This practice can lead to improved self-esteem by reducing negative self-talk and promoting a kinder self-view.

Benefits of Mindfulness on Self-Esteem

• Increased Self-Awareness: Mindfulness encourages individuals to observe their thoughts and feelings, helping them identify and challenge negative beliefs about themselves.

• Reduction of Stress: Mindfulness practices can lower stress levels, which often contribute to feelings of inadequacy and low self-worth.

• Promotion of Self-Compassion: By treating oneself with kindness, individuals can cultivate a more positive self-image.

Practical Steps to Enhance Self-Esteem through Mindfulness

• Challenge Negative Beliefs: Identify and question core beliefs that contribute to low self-esteem.

• Practice Positive Self-Talk: Replace negative thoughts with affirmations to build a more positive self-image

• Students are encouraged to practice calming strategies and take brain breaks during testing to support them during testing due to the rigor of the assessements and resilience needed to be successful on the exams.

• Deep breathing. Deep breathing reduces anxiety by slowing heart rate, lowering blood pressure, and triggering a feeling of relaxation. Concentrating on breathing also distracts from negative thoughts related to testing. Deep breathing is discreet, effective, and easy to use. Here’s how to practice: 

• Sit back in a comfortable position, and close your eyes if you feel comfortable doing so. TIP: When learning deep breathing, place one hand on your abdomen so you can feel it rise and fall with each breath.

• Breathe in slowly through your nose for 4 seconds.

• Hold the air in your lungs for 4 seconds (or less, if this becomes uncomfortable).

• Pucker your lips, and slowly exhale through your mouth. Time the exhalation to last 6 seconds. TIP: For practice, try exhaling through a straw. This will get you in the habit of exhaling slowly.

• Repeat the breathing cycle for at least two minutes.

Every Minute Matters at Mozart Elementary

At Mozart Elementary, we know that every minute of learning counts! When students arrive late, leave early, or miss a day, they miss valuable instruction, discussions, and activities that support both academic and social growth. Even small amounts of missed time can make it harder for students to stay on track, as key lessons and practice opportunities are difficult to make up later. Over time, those few minutes here and there truly add up.

We understand that appointments and family needs sometimes can’t be avoided. Whenever possible, please try to schedule these outside of school hours and help your child be at school on time and ready to learn each day.

Reminders

• Instruction begins at 8:00 a.m. Please ensure students arrive on time so they are ready to start the day and not miss valuable learning.

• Dismissal is at 3:45 p.m. Parents, please make the necessary arrangements to have students picked up promptly at dismissal time.

• Early pick-up cut-off time is 3:00 p.m. To minimize classroom interruptions and ensure a smooth end to the school day, early dismissals must occur before this time.

Thank you for your cooperation and support to ensure every student has the best opportunity to succeed!

💯🎉 100 Days of Learning, Laughter, and Growth! 🎉💯

Today, our four incredible 5th grade classes celebrated the 100th day of school! From the very first day to day 100, our students have grown so much—academically, socially, and emotionally. ❤️📚 They’ve worked hard, supported one another, and shared countless smiles along the way. This special day was a joyful reminder of how far they’ve come and how proud we are of each and every one of them. Here’s to 100 days of memories and many more still to come! ✨🎈