Dear Parents,
As we approach the Thanksgiving break, I’d like to share some tips on maintaining school consistency for our high school students. This break offers an excellent opportunity for rest, but it’s also important to strike a balance to maintain academic momentum. Some of our students are headed into a peaceful break with their own families while others might be fighting traffic, noise, and/or a house full of relatives. Some students may thrive in that environment while others might struggle.
Encourage your child to set aside dedicated time for study or reading each day. This could be in the morning or evening, allowing them to enjoy the break while also staying connected with their studies. If you are also home from work, this might be a great opportunity to hear about some of the exciting things your student is doing in class.
Emphasize the importance of planning. Have your child create a schedule outlining assignments and deadlines for the post-break period. This proactive approach can help alleviate stress and ensure a smooth transition back to school. If your student doesn’t have an actual assignment in a class, they could use the time to review past assignments or show them to you for review. Perhaps your teen could help with planning a meal (or THE Thanksgiving meal!). Having your teen create a shopping list and being responsible for a dish are excellent ways for them to practice the executive functions of organization and time management.
Support peer collaboration. If possible, encourage your child to connect with classmates and friends. This fosters a sense of community. We know that when our students become overwhelmed with social situations (maybe large gatherings), having a connection with a friend from school might be a welcomed respite.
By incorporating these strategies, we can ensure that our high school students enjoy a restful Thanksgiving break while maintaining the consistency needed for a successful return to their studies.
Wishing you and your family a happy and rejuvenating Thanksgiving.
Warmly,
Susan Schmitt
When we say this upcoming week is a short week, we sure mean it! Monday is a regular school day, Tues is a 12 PM close, and Wednesday to Friday is our Thanksgiving Break. Based on that, it looks like we have to squeeze as much out of our Monday and Tuesday as we can.
This Monday is the closing window for December lunch delivery orders (www.myfooddays.com), so if you haven’t placed your teen’s December order, no worries. You have this weekend. Also, on Monday, we will have our Fall Afterschool Stepping Out to the AMC on Route 10 in East Hanover for our semi-private viewing of the new Hunger Games movie. Pick up will be at the theatre at 7 PM.
And let’s close out this week’s CHIL with a wish and fact. We wish you all an amazing Thanksgiving, and according to the USDA, leftover Turkey has a four-day shelf life. That gives you a long weekend to enjoy your family and your Turkey!
Happy Thanksgiving,
Dr. Cap
November
December
THIS MONDAY-Fall Afterschool Stepping Out-Hunger Games Ballad of the Songbird and Snakes: This Monday, November 20th we will be making the afterschool trek down Route 10 East to the East Hanover AMC (https://www.amctheatres.com/movie-theatres/east-hanover/amc-east-hanover-12) for our very own viewing of the new Hunger Games movie.
We will cover the costs of tickets and get our kids there. Your job is to negotiate snack money with your teens and pick them up at about 7 PM. The movie starts at 4 PM and it is 2 hours and 45 minutes so we are thinking 7 PM pick-up makes sense.
CHS Alumni Spotlight
Alumni Visit-Brady CHS Class of ‘23: We had a great time seeing Brady, who came back to visit CHS on a recent long weekend break from Beacon College in Leesburg, Florida. Brady shared with our students and teachers that he is enjoying his freshman year thus far and taking some great introductory classes such as, Fundamentals of Microsoft Office Suite, Learning Essentials & Self Discovery, Literacy & Writing, and a freshman seminar called the Beacon College Experience. One of the Beacon campus dogs, Sully, joins this class, and students are able to schedule time to play and walk him as he has his own “office hours” readily available.
Brady lives in a five-person suite on campus with one of our other Craig alums, Luke D. Each suitemate has their own single room connected to a living room where they all share the space together and can hang out and watch sports. They have met many new friends on campus from all over the USA. Both Brady and Luke made the Beacon Blazers basketball team and began practices this month. They are doing well adjusting to the morning practice schedule and balancing their coursework. Brady says that Beacon has great food on campus, and he enjoys the town of Leesburg. On weekends, he’s also been on a few school-sponsored trips to nearby Universal Studios and Disney World for some Halloween-themed events at the parks. Brady reports that he enjoys his professors, and he is very proud of his grades thus far. He is interested in studying Anthrozoology but will have time to decide on his major in the next few semesters.
Brady attended Beacon’s Summer for Success program during summer break after his Junior Year. He and his family knew from that experience that Beacon was the right choice for him. Thank you Brady for the great visit!
CHS Lunch Delivery Program-DEC Ordering Window CLOSES Mon Nov 20th: The ordering window for DECEMBER Lunches closes this Monday, November 20th. December is a short lunch month due to our half-day exam schedule before the holiday break. To register, place orders, or re-order, go to www.myfooddays.com. If you have any questions, reach out to our CHS Lunch Program Chair and CHS Alum Parent, Amanda Jahn, at ajahn@craigschool.org
For more information on ways of giving or to make a donation online you can clicking here.
