Principal's Message

August 15, 2021

As a parent of four boys, when I saw this quote it made me stop and reflect upon those specific times of the day and how my interactions with my children can make a difference in their day, the following day, and their lives.  Our lives are filled with so much.  So many commitments, obligations, and factors we cannot always control.  Sometimes with all that goes on in our lives, these precious minutes get away from us.  These small moments, these connections can mean everything.

 

 

August 22, 2021

If your Panthers are in need of a way to calm their mind and body, try these breathing exercises.  Or try them before school!  It's a great way to clear their mind and be ready to learn!

 

August 29, 2021

As you contemplate the quote and video below, I’d like you to ask your young Panthers, what they see in different situations.  Give them scenarios and ask how can we turn our perception of that “weed” into a “wish”.  Let’s teach our young Panthers that the world is theirs to make what they wish it to be.  They have the power to control their own reaction and actions to the world around them.  They decide how the world looks and whether they see Weeds or WISHES!  Have a wonderful week Panther Family!

 

 

September 5, 2021

Take a moment to watch the cute video and read the inspirational quote above with your young Panthers.  Discuss some takeaways they have after watching the video.  Remind our young Panthers that dreams only become realities when we have the courage to go after them and the determination to put in the hard work to make them come true.

 

September 12, 2021

Take a moment to watch and discuss the video and quote below with your Panther(s).  Ask them, what does it mean to have perseverance?  Have they every given up and why did they give up?  What could’ve happened if they had not given up?  And lastly, how do they plan to persevere this week at school?  Help our young Panthers realize that success most often isn’t instantaneous.  Rather, it’s many attempts and failures over time until we get it right.  Or, until the moment is right for our dream/goal to come to light.
Have a wonderful week everyone!

This year we are working to implement school-wide behavior expectations and build a culture of Merced Panther Pride!  Panthers Will Show their P.A.W.S!  Look for our school chant in the coming weeks.  Ask your Panther to tell you about showing their P.A.W.S!

 

September 19, 2021

Take a moment to watch the animation short above with your Panther(s).  Read the quote with them.  How might this quote and the animation short relate to one another.  Continue to connect with your Panthers through thoughtful conversation and shared moments of laughter, understanding, and love.  Keep up the great work parents and caregivers!  Let us work together to build our young Panther up!  Have an amazing week everyone!

 (To the Tune/Cadence of "Everywhere We Go!")

September 26, 2021

 

October 3, 2021

October 10, 2021

 

October 17, 2021

Throughout the pandemic we longed for the connection and presence of others around us.  Our kiddos had digital playdates and activities, and were limited in their interactions with their friends and peers.  The pandemic brought about a new hurdle and question...Would our students be social-emotionally prepared to meet behavior expectations when they returned?  Would they know how to play well with others, keep their hands to themselves, and be a part of a school community.  With a year and a half away from the setting (school) in which to practice and actively learn these behavior expectations, we have found that many of our students are struggling with this social-emotional aspect of school.  As educators we are committed to not only teaching the academic skills needed for success, but we know the explicit teaching of behavior expectations is also needed for a well-rounded student and education.  As with any skill, these behavior expectations develop over time, are not always met to perfection, and need constant reinforcement.

Checkout our Panther Chant Video above to hear about how we SHOW our PANTHER P.A.W.S.
Review our Behavior Expectation Matrix for the Playground above for some examples of what we are looking for on the playground.  
As we build our P.A.W.S we will teach and reinforce our Behavior Expectations for every area of our school.

We thank you Panther Families, for your support and reinforcement of these expectations at home as well.
We are stronger and better together!

 

October 24, 2021

"Laughter with a friend is the BEST kind of laughing there is."

Take a moment to reflect with your Panther on the video and quote above. Laughter is key to our lives and the success we experience!  

October 31, 2021

November 7, 2021

I hope you have had a wonderful weekend filled with love, laughter, and relaxation.  As we head into the season of giving and gratitude let us give thanks for our children who are growing, maturing, and learning to be independent thinkers and problem solvers.  Take a moment to consider the quote above and view the video.  There are many positive effects in allowing our children to grow in their independence from us as parents.  At times stepping back is difficult for us parents.  We have to think about what end result we want...do we want our children dependent on us indefinitely?  Or, do what to model problem solving, getting along, understanding and compassion, so that they can work through the inevitable struggles that life hands us...and handle it with grace and confidence?  
Thank you families and caretakers for all you continue to do to support your child and our school community!

 

November 14, 2021

I hope you are all enjoying this sunny beautiful day!  When you have a moment, take some time to watch the video on above with your young Panther.  Discuss what they learned about Gratitude and ask them how they plan to practice Gratitude daily.

November 28, 2021

I hope you all had a wonderful break and enjoyed priceless family time!  As you watch the video above with your young Panthers, think about how the simple act of eating together, sharing a meal, cooking/baking together, can bring about memories and pass along invaluable information down to our younger generations.  Heading into the holiday season, especially this year, let us praise and highlight the importance of family and our elders' contributions to our lives.

 

December 5, 2021

I do hope you are enjoying our sunny weather!  Please enjoy the Storytime with the Principal above.  It highlights some traditions that I share with my family and that my parents and grandparents shared with me.  What traditions and customs does your family have?  These traditions are key to holding our families together and our young Panther close.  Share they with your Panthers.  Create memories.  Imagine the warmth you'll feel in your heart when you see them practice them and pass them along to their children one day.

Let's keep a cheery and festive Holiday Spirit Panthers!!!  SMILES!  LOVE! LAUGHTER!

December 12, 2021

As we wrap up our last week together as a Panther Family in 2021, I’d like to wish you all the most wonderful holiday season!  May your days be filled with special moments and building loving memories, and may your nights be filled with the grace and gratitude of family and friends.  As the quote above reminds us, our presence in each other’s lives is the best present we can receive from one another.  Enjoy your Winter Break Panther families and we will see you in the new year!

 

January 2, 2022

I am so excited to see you all tomorrow as we step into the 2022 year together!  As the video above demonstrates, we are better together.  We accomplish more when we support each other and lend a helping hand.  We can solve problems better together.  With that in mind, let us work together Panther Families to keep our students, school, and greater community safe and healthy.  Together we can care for one another and make this 2022 year a year filled with learning, fun, and love!

January 9, 2022

I hope you have all enjoyed your weekend with your young Panthers.  Take a moment to consider the quote above.  I’ve seen this in action each day here at Merced.  The affirmations lighting up our classrooms with a million possibilities for our students.  May we always build our children up into the independent successful and compassionate people they are meant to be.

January 17, 2022

I hope you are enjoying this cozy Monday with your loved ones.  I wanted to take a moment to thank all the Panther Families for their partnership in making the above quote something we strive for at Merced.  For it is only together, reinforcing the importance of character and the studies needed to expand our intelligence both at school and in the home.

January 24, 2022

I hope you all had a wonderful weekend and are enjoying your Monday off!  Take a moment to discuss the short animation clip above with your Panther.  You might ask your Panther to talk about the difference in approach they had in trying to care for their sad friend.  You might define the difference between empathy and sympathy.  I see our Panthers demonstrate such caring on a regular basis and my hope is that they continue to build upon their empathy skills to help others through difficult times.  We are better and stronger together!

 January 30, 2022

I hope you’ve enjoyed your weekend with your family and friends!  As we enter February, let us take a moment to think about when it is that we need the most love.  As the quote above reminds, those times are often during our most unlovable times.  Sending you all lots of hugs and love for a wonderful week Panther Families!!!

 

February 6, 2022

I hope you all enjoyed your weekend with your loved ones.  Please take a moment to view the video above with your Panther.  Ask them what lessons the main character learned, how did he make the others feel in the beginning of the video and then at the end, and what did your Panther learn about someone like “Lou”?
Let’s have a great week Panthers!

February 14, 2022 

Wishing you and your family a wonderful day filled with love and happiness!  May we all appreciate those around us for what they are, what they’ve been, and what they are yet to become.

 February 21, 2022

I hope you’ve had a lovely long weekend and are ready to get back to it tomorrow!  As the quote above reminds us, there is value in all of our life experiences, in all that surrounds us, however it is up to us how we take it in.  Let’s remind our young Panthers that every moment/person/thing in our lives can impact us in a positive way if we allow it to.  Some are harder to see than others, but they are there if we take the time to search.

February 27, 2022

This week is Read Across America Week!  As a child, one of my fondest memories is that of my father reading each and every night to my sister and I.  We would get a piggy-back ride to say goodnight to the rest of our household and then the “horsey” would deliver us to our room where he’d spend about a half hour reading to us from a book we chose.  As we grew older and better in our own reading skills we would take turns reading from the book with him.  Eventually we were reading chapter books to him on our own.  :o) We knew that the reading time was up when we heard his snores.  This family night tradition not only helped to build our reading skills, it was an important bonding time with our father.  Consider the tips above when reading at home with your Panthers

March 6, 2022

Here at Merced we have an amazing group of teachers who have come together to head and form our Social Emotional Learning and Growth Mindset Committee.  Throughout this year, each week they have compile and provided lessons, activities, and resources to their colleagues across the school that address various social emotional learning strategies and needs.  Below is one example of what our Panthers are practicing and learning.  I thank our teachers for their commitment to the wellness of our kiddos and for their leadership in this area that they are so passionate about.

March 13, 2022

I hope you’ve enjoyed your weekend so far!  Though Springing Forward is always hard for me (that feeling of “losing” an hour always makes me so tired) I am grateful for longer and sunnier days ahead!  In the video above Kids share their favorite snack with their Grandparents.  Having grown up with my grandmother in my home, I can tell you that the love and special moments grandparents provide is immeasurable.  It doesn’t take much a child to sit with their special wise and experienced person and learn a whole lot!  About each other, about their lives, and about themselves.  Even something as simple as a snack can bring smiles and family closer together.

March 20, 2022

I do hope you’ve had a wonderful weekend with your friends and family.  Please take a moment to share the video above with your young Panthers.  As we approach the end of March, we want to stop and acknowledge, remember, and appreciate all the Wonderful Women in our lives and throughout history!  The video above highlights just a few amazing women in history.  

March 27, 2022

I hope you’ve enjoyed your weekend thus far.  For my family we reserve some of our weekends for relaxing, others for fun in the sun, and still others for chores.  Having four boys we’ve worked to instill in them that they are an integral part of the family and therefore their effort and work is needed in keeping the family home in proper order.  From yard work to dishes, from laundry to dusting, and everything in between kiddos of all ages can be a contributing member of the family.  I can share that I've not cleared a dinner table nor washed a dish in a very long time.  Though I do cook each night for our family, my boys handle the clean-up.  And on some occasions, my oldest now makes us dinner!  His meatballs are incredible!  Take some time to consider some responsibilities you might pass along to your young Panthers.  Make them feel needed and build their self-esteem.
Have wonderful week Panther Families!!!!

April 3, 2022

As we get further into Spring and begin to have more sunshiny days I encourage you to send your young Panthers outside!  The video above has two fun art ideas for the outdoors, but there are endless possibilities.  From a simple picnic to an adventurous hike, there is much for the outdoor world to teach us.  Additionally, don’t forget… being “bored” is not a bad thing.  That is, always having your mind stimulated or entertained is not necessarily the only way we learn.  Imagination and new ideas can grow when our mind and body are still.  Sit outside and listen, breathe, watch the clouds, feel the warmth of the sun.  On a car ride do not allow electronics and encourage your kiddos to look out at the world and observe.  Help teach your Panthers that there is value in being still and the outdoors.

April 10, 2022

We are almost there Panther Families!  I am excited for the break as I am sure everyone in our learning community is.  I am excited to rest my mind a bit, rest my body a bit, and spend uninterrupted time with my family.  Our lives are busy.  We give so much to others.  Let us not forget the powerful impact we have on our own family when we take some moments to pour our whole attention into them.  4 more days everyone!  We have some fun learning planned throughout the week,  and then it’s Spring Break and quality family time!

 April 24, 2022

I hope you all had a wonderful, restful, and fun-filled Spring Break Panthers!!  I cannot wait to see you all tomorrow ready to learn and ready to finish off this last part of the school year with love and excitement!  Please take a moment to read the resource from our Capturing Kids Hearts curriculum below.  CKH is a district-wide curriculum that centers our campuses around leading with heart.  It is CKH’s belief, and ours, that when we Capture Kids’ Hearts they are more willing to trust and learn from us.  This program is not new, and our staff has been practicing this for years now, but I wanted to take the next step and share with families what they can do at home to spread love, kindness, and strength.