Branching Out

Branching Out is published quarterly by Charleston R-I Title I Parent Involvement to help keep the parents of Charleston R-I School District connected and informed.

The Charleston R-I School District is required to inform you of information that you, according to the Every Student Succeeds Act of 2015 (Public Law 114-95), have the right to know. Click below to read more.

"Children learn from anything and everything they see. They learn wherever they are, not just in special learning places." - John Holt

From the classroom to the kitchen, the neighborhood park to the grocery store, children are always learning. As we head into winter break, weekends, and snow days, help your child learn good behaviors and knowledge using these tips:

• Create a positive home environment;
• Know your child’s friends, and help them avoid negative influences or bullies;
• Help build your child’s self-confidence;
• Use holiday cooking as a math lesson (i.e. doubling a recipe);
• Get involved in community activities with your child;
• Give thoughtful gifts that inspire thinking and imaginative play;
• Consider planning a family field trip;
• For road trips or down time, download an interesting podcast or educational apps;
• Read to or with your child, and ensure your child has a quiet place to study or read;
• Be fair but firm on disciplinary actions;
• Teach them how to save money, spend money wisely, and give to good causes.

While resting is important during breaks, make sure to identify teachable moments, identify factors that are influencing your child, and try to make the most of your child's non-school learning time.

There’s no way around it: Your child is going to misbehave at some point - and it’s going to be frustrating! You can’t change that, but you can control your expectations and responses. That’s why the American Academy of Pediatrics offers parents this advice:

• Be realistic about your child’s abilities. If you demand too much from her, you’ll both be disappointed. Make a few simple rules your child can understand. Match them to her age and level of maturity. Then expect a reasonable amount of cooperation.
• Mean what you say. Think carefully before you state a rule, a promise, or a consequence. Is it fair? Will you really follow through? Once you’ve made a good decision, stick to it! Kids make better choices when they can count on what parents say.
• Consider your child’s feelings. Kids appreciate parents’ understanding. It helps them behave. Say, “I know you’re disappointed that you can’t have a sleepover. Maybe another night.”
• Be forgiving. No one is perfect. If you do something you regret, such as yell at your child, discuss it when you’re calm. Apologize and say what you’ll do differently next time. Then keep your word! Teach your child that everyone can learn from mistakes.

Source: The Parent Institute, 2019 Sample Issue. www.parentinstitute.com

Click below to download a PDF version of the Athletic Calendars for the 2019-2020 school year.

Note: These dates are subject to change. LIVE athletic calendar feeds can be found at charlestonbluejays.org/calendar/, including dates for all CMS and CHS athletics, rescheduled games, and cancellations.

It's the most wonderful time of the school year! Charleston R-I is hosting district-wide Christmas Weeks and Spirit Days, so here's a sneak peek at the fun and festivities:

CHARLESTON HIGH SCHOOL

CHS Christmas Week is here to stay! The program continues to see major success and has become a model for the other schools.

According to organizers, Christmas treat items will be given to the students each morning (12/16-12/20). On Friday of Christmas Week (12/20), EVERY student at CHS will be given a Christmas present ranging in size from headphones to gift sets and even a television and computer or two.

The CHS Holiday Spirit Week will be held on December 16-20, and will include the following spirit days:

12/16 (Mon): Merry Monday (Wear red and green)

12/17 (Tue): Not a Creature was Stirring (Wear pajamas)

12/18 (Wed): 'Tis the Season to be Tacky (Wear tacky Christmas attire)

12/19 (Thu): Winter Wonderland (Wear winter attire, sock hats, gloves, scarves, etc.)

12/20 (Fri): Santa's Workshop (Dress up like your favorite Christmas character)

CHARLESTON MIDDLE SCHOOL

CMS is hosting 12 Days of Christmas! According to organizers, each day will include either a fun treat, a spirit day, or some sort of festive surprise! On Friday (12/20), EVERY student at CMS will be given a Christmas present.

CMS Spirit Days will be spread out over several weeks, and will include the following activities:

12/6 (Fri): Polar Express Day (Wear pajamas)

12/10 (Tue): Tacky Christmas Sweater Day (Wear tacky Christmas attire)

12/13 (Fri): Flannel Friday (Wear your flannel)

12/16 (Mon): Winter Wonderland (Wear winter attire, sock hats, gloves, scarves, etc.)

12/17 (Tue): Elf Day (Wear red and green)

12/19 (Thu): Christmas Socks Day (Wear your favorite Christmas socks)

12/20 (Fri): Festive Day (Wear your favorite festive Christmas outfits)

WARREN E. HEARNES ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

New this year is WEH Christmas Week, featuring two weeks of activities and fun!

According to organizers, Christmas treat items will be given to the students each morning (12/16-12/19). On Friday of Christmas Week (12/20), each grade level will go to the cafeteria for songs and stories followed by EVERY student being given a Christmas present. Each grade has a specific boy and girl gift that they thought their students would like. All boys and all girls in a specific grade will receive the same type of gift.

WEH 10 Days of Christmas Spirit Days will be held over two weeks, December 9-20, and will include the following spirit days:

12/9 (Mon): Spirit of the Season (Wear red and green)

12/10 (Tue): Tree Topper (Wear a holiday hat, headband, or tree topper)

12/11 (Wed): Deck the Halls (Wear holiday accessories, i.e. jewelry, necklaces, garland, etc.)

12/12 (Thu): Christmas Vacation (Wear vacation gear, i.e. Hawaiian shirts, hula skirts, sunglasses, etc.)

12/13 (Fri): Ugly Sweater Day (Wear a tacky sweater)

12/16 (Mon): Jingle Bells (Wear bells to make sure Santa knows where you are!)

12/17 (Tue): Mad about Plaid (Wear a flannel shirt)

12/18 (Wed): Baby It’s Cold Outside (Wear hats, scarves, and gloves)

12/19 (Thu): Dashing Through the Snow (Dress like Santa’s reindeer)

12/20 (Fri): 'Twas the Night Before Christmas (Wear pajamas, slippers, and robes)

A WORD OF THANKS

The event organizers at each school would like to thank everyone who donated money and gifts, shared fundraising posts, or sorted supplies!

It has been just over one year since the launch of the newly remodeled Charleston R-I School District website!

During the process of updating the site, many aspects of the previous site were completely overhauled, resulting in a more polished look and improved functionality.

If you are new to Charleston R-I, or need a refresher, here are some website features you may find useful:

CALENDAR

The online calendar may be the most important feature of charlestonbluejays.org. Individual calendars can be toggled on and off, leaving only what the end user wants to see. The best part of this setup is that individual calendars are each tethered directly to a Google Calendar that is maintained at the building level.

Link: https://www.charlestonbluejays.org/calendar/

MAP / DIRECTIONS

A complete map of Charleston R-I District locations can be found on the Maps & Directions page. The map feature is powered by Google Maps, which offers users the ability to navigate with ease.

Link: https://www.charlestonbluejays.org/apps/pages/map

APPLY

This is a helpful link to share with potential applicants looking to work at Charleston R-I Schools. Visit the Employment page to find applications, view available positions, and more.

Link: https://www.charlestonbluejays.org/apply/

SCHOOL MENUS

"What's for lunch?" Perhaps the most common daily question asked by students, parents, and teachers alike can be answered by visiting the School Menus tab.

Link: https://www.charlestonbluejays.org/ and click on the School Menus tab on the right.

CONTACT US

A great place to direct visitors (or bookmark for yourself), the Contact Us page displays addresses and phone numbers for each building as well as department heads.

Link: https://www.charlestonbluejays.org/contact/

Instead of gifting your child toys this year, try gifting experiences or practical items. Here are some non-toy gift ideas:

1. Family trip (i.e. picnic, zoo, museum)

2. Digital camera

3. Dress-up clothes

4. Concert or movie theater tickets

5. Puzzles

6. Board games

7. Classes (i.e. dance, music)

8. Books or audiobooks

9. Savings account / Piggy bank

10. Shoes or boots

11. Musical instruments

12. Tool box (with real tools)

Branching Out is a quarterly newsletter for the parents of Charleston R-I School District, a project of Title I Parent Involvement - B.J. Babb, Parent Liaison. If you have questions or comments, please reach out to Charleston R-I Central Office, (573)-683-3776 during regular business hours.