Bellerive Principal Getting Ready For 'Back To School'

Principal Jami DeBosch writes about how the Seven Habits of a Happy Kid in her first e-bulletin of the new school year:

Welcome Back or Welcome to Bellerive!

I hope that you have had a great summer and are ready for a wonderful year ahead! I love the start of school and all the newness it brings. This school year, we are going to be focusing on helping our students understand the Seven Habits of a Happy Kid and working on developing leadership skills in every student.  Our entire faculty and staff will begin the year in a three-day intensive training workshop on the Seven Habits in order to fully integrate this school-wide. We are going to be “Growing Capable Learners… Inspiring Lifetime Leaders.”  We want every child to know their unique strengths so we can help them shine.

As many of you know, I have a two and a half year-old daughter. (Yes, she is already that big!) This summer I have seen huge growth and development. She is constantly asking me “why” and wants to know how everything works. I often find that she imitates everything that my husband and I do and say. We will be in the middle of conversation and she will finish our sentence for us. She also wants to make sure that we realize every new growth made, “Mommy, I can ride my tricycle now.  I am a big girl now!” It is amazing to me that at such a young age, she is already looking for my approval and recognition. Our kids at home, and in the classroom alike, need to know that we care and celebrate their successes with them.

When You Thought I Wasn't Looking
Author: Unknown

When you thought I wasn't looking,
I saw you hang my first painting on the refrigerator,
and I wanted to paint another one.

When you thought I wasn't looking,
I saw you feed a stray cat,
and I thought it was good to be kind to animals.

When you thought I wasn't looking,
I saw you make my favorite cake for me,
and I knew that little things are special things.

When you thought I wasn't looking,
I heard you say a prayer,
and I believed that there was a God to talk to.

When you thought I wasn't looking,
I felt you kiss me goodnight,
and I felt loved.

When you thought I wasn't looking,
I saw tears come from your eyes,
and I learned that sometimes things hurt,
but it's alright to cry.

When you thought I wasn't looking,
I saw that you cared,
and I wanted to be everything that I could be.

When you thought I wasn't looking,
I looked....
and I wanted to say thanks for all the things
I saw when you thought I wasn't looking.

As parents, you are your child’s first teacher. We here at Bellerive take our role as teachers seriously. We want to make a difference in every child’s life. That is one of the reasons we are going to be focusing on the Seven Habits of a Happy Kid. Throughout the year, you are going to be learning about each of the Seven Habits: Habit One: Be Proactive (You’re in Charge), Habit Two: Begin With the End in Mind (Have a Plan), Habit Three: Put First Things First (Work First, Then Play), Habit Four: Think Win-Win (Everyone Can Win), Habit 5: Seek First to Understand, Then to Be Understood), Habit 6: Synergize (Together is Better), Habit 7: Sharpen the Saw (Balance Feels Better).

We look forward to Synergizing together to make sure your child has the best year ever!

See you soon,

Jami