. At Jeffrey School we continue to seize those character teaching opportunities that come with the season and the events that capture our children’s interest and enthusiasm. Our recognitions and honors, our losses and disappointments, and our need to reach out to others, whether here at school or beyond our walls, have all served as teachable moments.

Sometimes our lessons come from what seem to be unrelated places, but with some creativity we can make those connections that grab the attention and interest of all. So what do the Yankees have in common with Jeffrey School? Well, winning the World Series and being selected as the Outstanding Elementary School in Connecticut set the perfect stage for lessons about good sportsmanship and winning and losing. Lunchtime readings served to kickoff those discussions helping children understand what being a true winner means in terms of graciousness and sportsmanship. Those harder lessons about loss and disappointment were touched upon as well.

There are many opportunities for teachable moments with our “bucket filling” activities. I am sure your child has told you about our being “bucket fillers” here at Jeffrey. The concept of promoting caring, empathy, and respect for others by what we say and do has been embraced by our entire school community. Just one example of this came on Veterans Day. We honored the servicemen who visited us by presenting them with a bucket filled with notes from the students listing reasons why we celebrate them and their importance in our lives. I am sure those veterans left our school feeling like they had truly visited “the place to be”.

This holiday season we are helping our children see the value in reaching out to those that are less fortunate. Through a fundraiser called “Warm The Children” that was spearheaded by our Student Council, we have collected well over one hundred new hats and gloves that will be donated to our sister school in New Haven, the Katherine Brennan School. These hats and gloves, along with gently used books donated by many families, will be delivered next week to the Katherine Brennan School by our Student Council members. They will have the opportunity to help set up a book fair that will be stocked with our contributions and to present the many hats and gloves to the students as holiday gifts.

Our everyday lives are filled with so many opportunities to teach the “High Five” values that we promote here at Jeffrey School. We hope your children are sharing with you some of what we talk and read about that extends beyond the classroom walls. Seeing the daily evidence of our students incorporating that sense of respect and responsibility has brought real excitement to our school community. Having others recognize that as part of what we are has truly been inspiring.

Have a happy and healthy holiday!

Rachel Weiss