This Month's Character Trait

This month’s C.H.A.M.P. character trait is Compassion: Caring about the feelings and well-being of others with the desire to help them. C.H.A.M.P. is an acronym for Character Has A Million Possibilities, and it is the character education component of our Renaissance process.

Compassion means:

·         Being friendly and including classmates who are often left out

·         Not laughing but assisting someone in an embarrassing situation

·         Sharing without being asked

·         Listening to friends when they are upset

·         Offering to help classmates and siblings

·         Always treat people better than you want to be treated.

Our school experienced a lot of exciting events during the month of November. We had a visit from Google, Renaissance Leadership Exchanges, open house during American Education Week, and one of our largest Renaissance community events of the year. Thank you to everyone that supported our 17th Annual Renaissance Blue/Gold Basketball Game. The event generated enthusiasm because so many people got involved. For live updates visit our Twitter feed:  @BelhavenMS. Please call if you need assistance.

Many teachers are keeping STEAM alive by using “maker spaces” and Collab Lab” models of inquiry based learning. We have always fine-tuned the quality of our technology integration, and we have been recently featured by the Association of Middle Level Educators (AMLE). Check out one of our publications. You can copy and paste this link into your URL.

https://www.amle.org/BrowsebyTopic/WhatsNew/WNDet/TabId/270/ArtMID/888/ArticleID/517/From-STEM-to-Full-STEAM-Ahead.aspx    

Our service platform continues for December. We just learned that a large number of children currently reside at the Atlantic City Rescue Mission. Renaissance Street Teams will be facilitating a school wide collection drive to create care packages for children. Across all grade levels, students will be given the opportunity to contribute to these care packages that will be delivered to the Atlantic City Rescue Mission on December 11th. Please consider contributing the following items by December 9, 2015.

5th Graders: jenniferbernardini@linwoodschools.org

★ small packages of crayons or pencils (sharpened), ★ coloring books or activity books

★ children’s novels (new or gently used)

6th Graders: amywinterbottom@linwoodschools.org

★ hats, ★ scarves, ★ gloves and mittens, ★ socks

7th Graders: allisonwrigley@linwoodschools.org

★ small puzzles, ★ playing cards, ★ academic flashcards, ★ small games

8th Graders: katiemitchell@linwoodschools.org

★ toothbrush, travel toothpaste, ★ combs, brushes, ★ travel size shampoo, conditioner, body wash, face wash, ★ small packages of baby wipes or antibacterial wipes, ★ gallon sized Ziploc bags

All grade levels : monetary donation to purchase items needed

★ gift cards for locations near the Rescue Mission: Rite Aide, Dunkin Donuts, Payless, McDonald's

Please keep these items in mind as you are holiday shopping. Thank you for your generosity. Together, we can show our children the importance of compassion and service learning in our community. Enjoy the magic of the holidays! Most of all enjoy your family. Please let us know if you know a family in our community that needs our help.

Sincerely,

Frank Rudnesky, Ed. D., Principal