What a wonderful first full week it has been! Thank you to all of our families for your warmth, support, and encouragement as we settled into the rhythm of school together. We are especially excited to share that our PS and PK students are now fully embracing the full-day program. We are truly grateful to each family for helping create a smooth transition.
Belonging in Kindergarten
“I belonged here. You belonged here. We belonged together.”
As part of our school theme, our kindergarten students have been exploring the word 'belong' and learning what it means not only to belong to the larger community but also to feel at home in their classroom. During the first days of school, they realized they were genuinely welcomed and truly belonged here. Each student brings unique qualities to the class. Activities have been designed to help them form connections, share ideas, and enrich our classroom culture. Through art projects, morning meetings, read-aloud stories, RSB sessions, and discussions, they identified what makes them special and how they fit into the group. For instance, in art class, they drew the classmate sitting opposite them with oil pastels, emphasizing that noticing and appreciating others is part of belonging. They also shared moments when they felt they truly fit in and created a class puzzle display to remind them that every piece—and person—matters. In another activity, the “belonging web,” children passed a ball of yarn, naming positive ways classmates contribute, illustrating how everyone is connected and why it’s important that no one 'lets go.” Visual cues and an anchor chart featuring a puzzle piece help students remember that each person is a vital part of our classroom and school community. Each day, students revisit a simple definition: to belong means being wanted, welcomed, and part of a group.
As our kindergarten students progress in their learning this year, they are eager to discover new ways to demonstrate their sense of belonging, embracing the message: “I belonged here. You belonged here. We belonged together.”
Important Upcoming Event
We would love to invite you to our Back-to-School Night on Thursday, August 27, from 5:15–7:00pm. This is a wonderful opportunity to connect with teachers, learn more about your child's classroom, and become even more a part of our Concordia community. We hope you can join us!
Parent Tip of the Week:
We have been delighted to welcome your children back to school. They are happy, and it is clear they have grown and matured a lot during the vacation. It is clear they enjoyed a summer filled with opportunities for learning, growth, and love.
As is common after summer break, many children need extra support in resuming school routines and practices. This is completely normal, and we know children thrive best when schools and parents partner closely. Our Early Childhood teachers have identified three areas where children need the most encouragement right now:
1. Focusing and sustaining attention
2. Listening and following instructions
3. Building independence in routines
Below, we’ve outlined some common challenges children face in these areas, along with simple ways you can support them at home.
1. Supporting Focus and Attention
Attention is the foundation of learning—without it, children can miss important ideas.
→ At home: Play short, focused games like “I Spy” or memory games to help your child practice noticing details and staying engaged.When kids struggle to concentrate on lessons, they often have trouble understanding new material.
→ At home: Break tasks into small, manageable steps with movement breaks in between. For example, read a short story, then let your child stretch before talking about it.If directions aren’t heard or followed, children may not know what to do next.
→ At home: Give one or two simple directions at a time, using clear phrases like “First… then…” (e.g., “First brush your teeth, then we’ll read a story”).Difficulty shifting focus makes it hard for children to move from one activity to the next.
→ At home: Use gentle transition signals like a timer, song, or a routine phrase (“Five more minutes, then clean up”). Predictable cues help children shift gears more smoothly.Attention challenges affect everyone—they can be frustrating for teachers and for the child themselves.
→ At home: Celebrate small wins with specific praise (“I noticed you stayed focused until the timer went off—great job!”). Encouragement builds confidence and motivation.https://www.thepathway2success.com/interventions-for-executive-functioning-challenges-attention/
https://ifstudies.org/blog/how-to-get-your-kids-to-listen-and-obey
2. Building Listening Skills
Children listen best when they feel connected.
→ At home: Say your child’s name, make eye contact, and gently touch their arm or shoulder before giving instructions.Too many directions can overwhelm young learners.
→ At home: Keep instructions short and clear, with only one or two steps at a time.Listening improves with practice.
→ At home: Make it fun by playing “Simon Says,” singing songs with motions, or reading stories where your child listens for a silly word or sound.Learn more:
https://www.parents.com/6-ways-to-get-kids-to-listen-to-you-8744536
3. Encouraging Independence in Routines
Daily routines help children feel secure and capable.
→ At home: Use picture charts for morning and bedtime routines so children can check off steps themselves.Children need time to practice independence.
→ At home: Allow extra time for them to try putting on shoes or packing their bag before stepping in to help.Predictable routines reduce stress and increase confidence.
→ At home: Use consistent phrasing, like “First brush teeth, then story time,” to give structure and clarity.Small successes build motivation.
→ At home: Offer praise and encouragement whenever your child completes a step independently.Learn more: https://challengingbehavior.org/docs/TeachingYourChild_routines.pdf
https://challengingbehavior.org/docs/Positive-Solutions_Family-Routine_Guide.pdf
Transitions are easier when children experience consistency between home and school. By practicing these skills at home, you are giving your child tools to feel confident and capable in the classroom. Your support makes a real difference in helping children grow into attentive listeners, independent learners, and engaged students.
Thank you for partnering with us as we guide your children through a successful start to the school year.