Dear Still Parents and Guardians:
It is amazing how time flies! We are already into the second month of school! The students have been working so hard! Just a reminder that 1st, 3rd, and 5th graders will be taking the CogAT (Cognitive Abilities Test) from September 17-19. The 3rd and 5th graders will also participate in the ITBS (Iowa Test of Basic Skills) from September 22-29. Please make sure that your child gets plenty of rest the night before and a good, nutritious breakfast in the morning. Talk to your children about the upcoming tests at home and reassure them that this does not reflect on their classroom achievement. We want the children to feel relaxed and complete the test in a stress free environment. Thanks for your support!
I would also love for our parents and community to visit our Cobb web-site on school wellness. Each school in Cobb has a Wellness Committee that meets and collaborates to create a wellness plan for each school. As a support to the current and future health of our Still children, I have committed to creating student recognition and rewards that do not involve food. We have many students with various food allergies. Research also states that rewarding children with unhealthy foods can create poor eating habits in the future. The ultimate goal in rewarding children is to help them internalize positive behaviors so they will not need an external reward. By using food as a reward system, we are teaching poor eating habits, teaching children to eat when they are not hungry, teaching children to reward (soothe) themselves with food, and it teaches children to connect food with good mood feelings. Therefore, we are initiating a variety of other rewards and recognition opportunities for our students. For AR accomplishments, students will be able to shop in the AR store. They can spend their points on a variety of objects, stickers, books, etc. I have found this to be a great incentive with students I have worked with in the past. As an incentive for positive cafeteria behavior, each class can earn a star for each day in the cafeteria that they have exhibited excellent behavior. At the end of the week, I will draw a star from our basket, and myself and Ms. Smith will have lunch with that class. I truly appreciate your support in helping to create healthy children who will become heathy adults. The patterns they establish now will follow them the rest of their lives. Please check out the Cobb web-site on Wellness. Thank you!!
http://support.cobbk12.org/wellness/
Have a great September!!


Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful.