Attitude, Character, and Self-Esteem

This coming week, on Tuesday during students' homebase, we have an entire grade level assembly planned for all students.  We proactively plan events and opportunities for students to teach them how their attitude effects their self-esteem.  The way each of us approaches our day has a far greater impact on our confidence and success than many middle schoolers recognize.  Author Daniel Goleman describes "emotional intelligence" and makes a case for it having a greater impact on success than IQ.

A famous quote about attitude by Charles Swindoll perhaps says it even better:
"The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life. Attitude, to me, is more important than facts. It is more important than the past, than education, than money, than circumstances, than failures, than successes, than what other people think or say or do. It is more important than appearance, giftedness, or skill. It will make or break a company ... a church ... a home. The remarkable thing is we have a choice every day regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude ... I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me, and 90% how I react to it. And so it is with you ... we are in charge of our Attitudes."

As parents we all recognize that there are some things that are far easier said than done.  For example, changing the attitude of an adolescant fixated on a bad hair day seems trivial in the grand scheme of things but when we are entrenched in the moment of this crisis it can be daunting to move our child to the realization of how inconsequential this is.

We are excited for our assembly because of the PERPECTIVE it offers our students.  Our two guest speakers John Robinson and Doug Hamlin, who both have disabilities, will talk with students about how obstacles are really opportunities that can make us stronger.  

Parents who would like to join us for the presentation are welcome to.  We ask that parents attend during the same time period as your student's homebase.  Parents will sit upstairs in our balcony because our grade levels will fill our lower lever and if we have an overwhelming response from parents we will have overflow seating set up.

To RSVP to attend please use the following link that also has presentation times for each grade level: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1cSUvnUd05Ml5v5cgvFicTGAa7AVjkzOtK6Fv8CZwbhI/viewform?edit_requested=true

After our assembly, we will send out highlights and discussion prompts for parents so that you will be able to have a fruitful discussion with your student that both gives you an in depth understanding of what was presented (if you are unable to attend) and that reinforces the lessons of the presentation for students.

If you can't join us Tuesday, we would love to hear from you what your student's take-aways were from the presentation.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

End of Week Notes

March Madness is Back! 

• Bethlehem Central Commmunity Foundation March Madness
• Next Friday, March 6, @ BCHS 
• 5:30 Wacky Olympics 
• 7:00 Staff Basketball Game 
• At BCMS we will be having several spirit days
• Next Thursday (3/5) - Patroon wear orange, Mohawk wear black to support our Patroon vs. Mohawk Hoops game (the game is open to students only)
•  (Next Friday) (3/6) - Western / Cowboy Day
• Friday, 3/13 - Comfy day (sweats / flannels)
• Tues, 3/17 St. Patty's Day (Green)
• 3/20 (or 3/19 if we have the 20th off) Superhero day
• 3/27 - Decade day

BCCF Grants - $1000.00 for teachers' classrooms!!!

• Thanks to the support of our community, The BCCF is once again awarding grants to BC teachers.  The support of members, our community's attendance at events like our March Madness basketball game, and alumni donations provide BC teachers with opportunities that cannot be afforded through the District's budget.  
• To see former winning submissions: www.bccommunityfoundation.org/2014---2015-classroom-innovation-grants.html

Congratulations!

Congratulations... to our Middle School Odyssey of the Mind Team that captured first place in their regional competition on Saturday, Feb. 28.  Good Luck to them as they move onto States! 

The Week that Will Be!

Monday, March 2

• Education RALLY - Capitol

Tuesday, March 3

• Grade Level Assemblies 
• Late Buses Today

Wed, March 4

• Late Buses Today
• For a list of club meetings see our Morning Announcements

Thurs, March 5

• Patroon v Mohawk Hoops Game - Orange and Black Spirit Day
• Late Buses Today

Fri, March 6

• BCCF March Madness 5:30