Jefferson News!

December 2022

Jefferson Parents,

Holiday break is just around the corner, less than two weeks away. I would like to thank you for a successful first half of the school year. I also want to thank each and every parent for the commitment, and support that you provide to our school.

* Christmas Break is Friday, December 23 - Monday, January 2.

* Students return to school on Tuesday, January 3rd.

It is almost time to take a well-deserved break. I hope you are making plans to relax and spend time with your family/friends with the students returning excited about 2023! The new-year will bring new learning experiences, new challenges and new fun. I look forward to what lies ahead for us as a school community in 2023.

I wish you all Peace, Joy, Hope and Happiness during this Holiday season and throughout the New Year.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year !

Duane Richards

Principal

Patriot's Pen Youth Essay

Congratulations to Jefferson sixth grade students, Sumer Ayotte and Sadie Ayotte for finishing in first and second place in the Earl J. Santimaw Post #1143 VFW Patriot's Pen Youth Essay contest. There were over 90 submissions to this local contest. Sumer and Sadie received their certificates and check at a ceremony held on December 7th at the local post. Now that the local judging has been completed, the students' essays have been forwarded for entrance into the district competition.

Sumer and Sadie are pictured below with VFW Post Commander Steve O'Brien and Post Scholarship Chair Frances Marcil.

Congratulations Sumer and Sadie. We are proud of you!

Character Strength of the Week: SELF-CONTROL

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Dear Families,

This week our school community will be focusing on the character strength of Self-Control. Self-control means you can control your emotions and behaviors. You think before you act.

Self-control is the act of managing behavior in a way that positively influences goal attainment and living up to standards. Possessing this strength protects people from destabilizing emotional extremes. Those with self-control can limit impulsive behavior. They are able to experience and navigate difficulty while remaining poised. Self-control does not mean a lack of thoughts, feelings, or impulses; it just means you have command over them.

A group’s ability to demonstrate self-control often appears in the form of “self-monitoring.” This means the individuals demonstrate honesty with one another about successful group practices. When things are unsuccessful, group members can adjust roles in the interest of overall group success.

To practice and encourage the character strength of self-control with your child, please visit the Positivity Project’s P2 for Families (password: P2), where together you will watch a video, read a quote, and talk about the answers to three questions.

Have a wonderful week!

Self-Control

WHAT DOES SELF-CONTROL MEAN?

You have the ability to control your emotions

and behaviors. You think before you act.

Individuals with this strength

might be described as:

• Disciplined

• Poised

• Composed

• Cool

• Measured

• Restrained

QUOTES ON SELF-CONTROL

“Temperance is a disposition of the mind which binds the passions.”

-THOMAS AQUINAS

“You have power over your mind – not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength.”

-MARCUS AURELIUS

“Today I will do what others won’t, so tomorrow I can accomplish what others can’t.”

-JERRY RICE

“The first and best victory is to conquer self.”

-PLATO

“The best fighter is never angry.”

-LAO TZU

Massena Central School All-Elementary Band Winter Concert

Dear Parent or Guardian,

Thursday, Dec. 15th at 7:00

@ New Testament Church

Once again, the time has arrived to begin preparation for this year’s Massena Central School All-Elementary Band Winter Concert. The students have been putting in a significant amount of time and effort at their individual schools which should amount to a wonderful and exciting concert experience! The next step is to hold a few rehearsals where the entirety of the band program can meet and practice as one entity.

Rehearsals:

Monday, November 14th 6:15 to 7:00 pm in the Nightengale Cafeteria
Monday, November 21st 6:15 to 7:00 pm in the Nightengale Cafeteria
Monday, November 28th 6:15 to 7:00 pm in the Nightengale Cafeteria
Monday, December 5th 6:15 to 7:00 pm in the Nightengale Cafeteria
Monday, December 12th 6:15 to 7:00 pm in the Nightengale Cafeteria
Wednesday, December 14th 6:00-8:00 pm, New Testament Church

The Final/Dress Rehearsal will take place on Wednesday, December 14th at 6:00 pm at the New Testament Church. The Concert will take place on Thursday, December 15th at the New Testament Church. Students are asked to arrive in the New Testament Church at 6:30 pm to warm up before the concert which will begin at 7:00 pm. As our handbook states, attire for all concerts and recitals is black and white, preferably dressy, and no torn jeans, hoodies or graphic tee shirts.

It is important to remember that these concerts are the culmination of all of the time and effort the students have been putting forth throughout the school year thus far, and that attendance for both the Concert and Final/Dress Rehearsal is mandatory. If any student is required to miss any of these rehearsals or the concert due to an emergency, please provide a note signed by yourself stating the reason for the absence as soon as possible prior to the event that must be missed.

If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me using the information provided below.

As always, it is the support from you that truly makes this experience a rewarding one for everyone involved. Thank you so much for your time, effort, consideration and cooperation; this program would not be possible without you!

Peter Schneider

MCS Elementary Band Director

pschneider@mcs.k12.ny.us

764-3700 ext. 3507