The Chatfield Cheetah Chat

Chatfield Elementary3188 D ½ Road GJ CO 81504

Phone: 970-254-4930 Fax: 970-434-1856Principal: Jennifer Smyth

Our School Mission: We, the Chatfield Community, will build relationships that inspire each child to develop a quality work ethic and to know they are capable of greatness as they become life-long

learners!Si usted necesita una traduccion en Espanol favor de llamar al 254-5484. Estamos para servirles.

CHATFIELD’S HOURS

Kindergarten and Pre-School 8:30-11:30

1st-5th 8:40-3:50

EARLY RELEASE WEDNESDAY

No Pre-School

Kindergarten 8:30-11:00

1st-5th 8:40-1:50

Mark your calendar with the following dates:

11-3 PTO 6:00 in the Library---Please join us!!

11-6 No School Elementary Planning Day

11-13 Free PTO Family Fun Night 6:00-7:30 p.m.

11-23-27 No School-Thanksgiving Break

PTO NEWS!

WE NEED VOLUNTEERS FOR OUR FAMILY FUN NIGHT!

Hi Families,By now you have received our note about our Fancy Nancy and The Dangerous Book For Boys night. We need help running booths and donating unfrosted cupcakes. Please contact us at chatfieldpto@yahoo.com or call the office and leave your name and phone number and we will contact you to help!The free event will be on Friday, November 13th at 6:00-7:30 in the cafeteria and gym. Please plan to join the fun!Our next meeting is on Tuseday, December 1st at 6:00

Calling all 4th and 5th Graders---Look at these exciting adventures

for you!4th Graders can receive a free parks pass by going to the website everykidinapark.gov

5th Graders can snowboard or ski free three times this year! Call 1-303-866-9707 or visit the website at

Health Office NewsAs the weather changes please make sure your children are dressed appropriately for school. Fall and winter wear should fit kids properly, but gear should not be so tight that it restricts movement. When sizing shoes, allow room for an extra pair of socks. Keep them snug like a bug — but not too snug! Make sure to put their name on the inside of jackets as we have lots of lost and found in our container as of now!

In October we had the pleasure of having the Rotary Club at Chatfield to celebrate learning with our Third Grade Students. The Rotarians came to our school and donated brand new dictionaries to every child. Our students are using these books on a daily basis learning many new skills. We are very grateful and appreciative of the support we have from our community!

A Message From The KitchenStudents are welcome to purchase milk each day. The cost is 80 cents for a carton. Also, please remember to keep your account up to date. You are welcome to call if you have any questions.

MRS. SMYTH’S CHEETAH CHATTERDear Parents/Guardians,

Dr. Carol Dweck in her book, Mindset: The New Psychology of Success, (2006) looks at the belief that intelligence is malleable and can be developed throughout one’s life. Dweck presents a belief system about intelligence; the difference between a “growth mindset” and a “fixed mindset.” She defines a “growth mindset” as the “belief system that suggests one’s intelligence can be grown or developed with persistence, effort, and a focus on learning.” A “fixed mindset,” is defined as the “belief system that suggests a person has a predetermined amount of intelligence, skills, or talents.” Those with a “growth mindset” believe they can learn just about anything. It might take time, it might be a struggle, and it might include some failure, but they understand that with effort and perseverance they can succeed. This focus of a “growth mindset” is upon the learning that occurs.

As a staff, we are focusing on each student’s effort and the growth they attain throughout the year, and their ability to problem-solve, stick with it, and persevere until a task is accomplished. We are encouraging your student to look for alternative ways to reach their goals when they get stuck and not ever give up.

One way parents can help reinforce this “growth mindset” is by carefully choosing the words that are used when praising your child. As adults, we must remember that every word and every action performed sends a message to children. These words and actions tell children how to think about themselves. As adults, it is important to praise a child’s effort instead of praising their accomplishments.

The following table includes some examples:

Do Not Say Do SayYou are really athletic! You really work hard and pay attention when you

are on that field!You are so smart! You work hard in school and it shows!Your drawing is wonderful; you are my little artist. I can see you have been practicing your drawing;

what a great improvement!You are a great athlete. You could be the next Pele!

Keep practicing and you will see great results!

You always get good grades; that makes me happy.

When you put forth effort it really shows in your grades. You should be proud of yourself. We are proud of you!

So the next time you are ready to praise your child, please remember the “growth mindset” philosophy and think about how to praise your child’s efforts instead of their accomplishments.

We too, will continue to encourage your child (ren) to persevere and never give up! Together, we can encourage every student to become a life-long learner!

Sincerely,

Jennifer Smyth, Principal

SCHOOL ACCOUNTABILITY COMMITTEE MEETINGPlease plan to attend Chatfield’s School Accountability Committee meeting on December 7 th, 6:00-7:30 p.m. in our Library. This committee focuses on instruction, academic improvement, and refining our current policies and procedures to create a better learning environment.This meeting will be with our District Accountability Committee to review our Unified Improvement Plan (UIP). This is required for every school and every district in the State of Colorado. The UIP reviews past academic performance and includes an action plan for the next two years for improvement. This is an open meeting and all are welcome to attend.