• WHPS ANNUAL GIVING - Speak with Seth Pozzi (Head of School) about how you might wish for your gift to be utilized.
• FOOD PANTRY - Drop off food donations at both campuses through December 18.
• TOY DRIVE - Drop off toys: New, in original packaging, non-gift wrapped at Oxnard Campus through December 17.
• PAWS ANGELS (Oxnard campus) - Through the parent association, you can sponsor a special event, Chromebook Mobile Lab, classroom grants for special resources, or even a staff appreciation lunch or initiative. 

This is just a sampling of our 5th grade student-created Bills of Rights, which they created to help link studying foundations of American history with their own loves and beliefs. As a school leader, I enjoyed seeing what our students value and think is important, and I continue to appreciate our teachers' unique and creative approaches to making learning meaningfully connect with students' lives.

This is especially true when I compare their approach with my own 5th grade experience, where I read a section in the social studies book and answered the question at the end. It is one thing to recite the battles that took place during the American Revolution, and entirely another for students to understand what it means to bring a group of people together and establish the rules by which they will be governed. While I consider myself an informed and civic-minded person, I definitely didn't share the passion I see in these children when I was their age.

2020 has been an imperfect and volatile year, but one that I hope will help these students—tomorrow's leaders—develop strong engagement in the democratic process, as well as resiliency, as discussed in last month’s newsletter.

I’m proud to see our elementary teachers weaving in today's historic events as they analyze the past. I look forward to some of the other things coming down the pike, including family history and immigration projects, in which students dig into where their families came from and piece that together with their historical understanding of the US. This process also helps our students understand their family's values and promotes appreciation of diversity, one of our school's core values. At a minimum, these kids can go out into the world (starting with middle school) and, as one student put it: "Be a leader, not a boss!"

Raising Independent Children

7 Ways to Build an Independent Mindset

One of the most important goals in parenting is to raise children who become independent and self-reliant. As preschool-age children grow, they become more independent in basic areas of living but still depend on you for love, protection, guidance, and support.

Independence is a gift you give your child that they will benefit from their entire lives. The responsibilities children have when they are 2-5 can help build an independent mindset that will have life-long benefits. Here are 7 ways parents can foster this.  

#1 - Responsibilities
Children's responsibilities should center on: being responsible for their belongings, giving their best effort/giving opportunities a realistic try, and following through on commitments, as well learning to be cooperative and expressing appreciation and gratitude for others' efforts.

#2 - Be Explicit
Make a list with your child of their responsibilities. It can also be helpful to identify other people in your child's life who will have responsibilities (and what they are), such as teachers, coaches, or a nanny.

#3 - Clear Boundaries
Parents (and other caregivers) often overstep and take on their child's responsibilities for two reasons:

1. We think we are showing love by doing it for them.
2. We may want to avoid a power struggle or tantrum.

#4 - No Negotiation - (Say what you mean and mean what you say)
There should be consequences for not fulfilling responsibilities. The best consequences are those that remove something of importance to your child and give them the control to get it back by acting appropriately (e.g. lose a privilege but earn it back). Remember if you say: "If you push her again, we have to leave," when that next push happens, you have to be ready to follow through. Natural consequences can also include not fixing or replacing something right away if your child breaks it. 

HINT:
At WHPS we believe the way we speak to kids is incredibly important. But, did you know:
a logical consequence does far more for brain development
than a lengthy conversation.

#5 - Mistakes & Failures
The reluctance of children [and some adults] to take responsibility for their actions is based on a desire to protect themselves from failure. By blaming outside factors, such as other people, bad luck, or unfairness, children can safeguard their egos from harm. Yet, responsibility is two sides of the same coin. Helping children learn to take responsibility for their mistakes and failures helps them also own and take pride in achievements and successes.

#6 Safety & Basic Needs
Early in children's lives, we keep them on a fairly short "leash" to ensure their safety. This care builds a sense of security by demonstrating that they have a safe place to return to if they venture too far and that you are there to protect them when needed.

#7 - If it's not a safety concern...
There is, however, a fine line between security and dependence. When your child has established their sense of security, it's important to allow them to explore the world beyond the safety net that you provide. Everything from pouring the cereal, to carrying their backpack, to putting away the toys, maybe even being a little uncomfortable if they forget their jacket (within reason), and setting clear limits/trusting that boundaries and consequences are quite literally building your child's brain. This push allows your child to test their own capabilities in the "real world" and to find a sense of competence, security, and independence within themselves.