How to Improve Working Memory at Home
Once a student starts progressing in their reading here at Craig, parents will often ask me how they can bolster reading comprehension even more at home. Many parents will ask if there are additional tutoring options available. There are, of course, but many parents are surprised when I tell them that isn’t necessarily the best way to help with reading! One of the biggest enemies to reading comprehension is low working memory. Most students at Craig have low working memory– it’s a hallmark of dyslexia!
There are a variety of activities that enhance working memory, a crucial cognitive function essential for learning and reading. Firstly, participating in regular exercise stimulates the release of neurotransmitters that support memory consolidation. Additionally, engaging in challenging cognitive tasks, like solving puzzles or playing strategy games, forces the brain to process information actively, strengthening working memory. Plus, these activities promote positive family time as well.
Establishing a consistent sleep routine is also vital, as quality sleep is linked to improved memory retention and cognitive function. Furthermore, learning a musical instrument requires the integration of multiple cognitive processes, contributing to enhanced working memory.
Incorporating mindfulness practices, such as meditation or deep-breathing exercises, can foster focus and attention, directly benefiting working memory. Moreover, maintaining a well-balanced diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, and other brain-boosting nutrients supports overall cognitive health.
Finally, fostering social connections through activities like team sports promotes a positive mindset and provides opportunities to practice and improve working memory in collaborative settings.
So, sure, more studying may help, but so would many other activities that might be a lot more interactive and fun!
Warmly,
Susan Schmitt
Dear Badger Families,
Thank you to all who participated in our Grandfriends Day event. The Willy Wonka theme took over, and we were all at the chocolate factory for the morning! Thank you to our PACS committee and parent volunteers for all of their creativity and time transforming our cafeteria; it truly was a chocolate wonderland. The decorations around the school, in the courtyard, and in the auditorium were above and beyond this year; thank you, Amanda Jahn, Suzy Kutcher, and Tracy Rosky, for your vision and execution. Thank you to our teachers who planned and executed themed activities. The students and their VIPs came up with a campaign for a new product, complete with a poster, packaging, slogan, and elevator pitch!
The event culminated in the Willy Wonka Chocolate Factory Board Room, where Willy Wonka (thank you, Mr. Furlong) and his Board of Advisors (thank you, Casey Kirkpatrick, Tracy Rosky, Laura Given, and Becca Cristino) heard almost 100 new product ideas! There was no shortfall of creativity; the ideas were amazing! What was more amazing was the sea of hands and students lined up to present their ideas to a packed auditorium. The event was a true testament to the power of Craig in creating an environment for our children to gain confidence and thrive. Our students, no matter their reading fluency, stood in line to get to a microphone to read to close to 200 people! I could not have been more proud of them, our faculty and staff, and, of course, their biggest cheerleaders, their families. There are many hands and minds that went into pulling this special event together, and I thank all of you for your help and support. Please enjoy some of the pictures from the fun-filled day in our gallery!
Have a great weekend,
Jennifer Guthrie
Director of the Lower & Middle School
December
Monday, December 4th: Last day to donate to the peer leadership council-sponsored toy drive
Trimester 2 begins
Wednesday, December 6th: 8th Grade Peer Leader Service Trip (lgiven@craigschool.org for questions)
Thursday, December 7th: 9:15am Parent Virtual Feedback Session via Zoom, link in Important information
Friday, December 15th: 12:00 PM Dismissal: Gingerbread STEM Day
Saturday, December 16th: Objectives/Report Cards Available
Monday, December 18th- Tuesday, January 2nd: School CLOSED: Holiday Break
January
Classes Resume for Students - 1/3/23 - Wednesday - All Divisions
Alumni Reception Grade 8 - 1/5/23 - Friday - (6:00pm - 8:00pm) - LSMS
School CLOSED: Martin Luther King Jr. Day - 1/15/23 - Monday - All Divisions
Literary Magazine
Dear Craig Families,
The Craig Lower, Middle, and High School are excited to begin the process of accepting submissions for our 3rd Annual Literary Magazine. Our last two literary magazines were nothing short of amazing! Please keep an eye out for the permission slip here and in your child’s VIP or Homeroom Google classroom.
As we get started, we need YOU once again to help make our magazine a great success! Both the Lower-Middle school and High school will have an opportunity to showcase superior works of art, including poems, essays, journal entries, short screenplays, photography, sculptures, and drawings. The goal, once again, will be to provide students with a special place to publish their most prized pieces of literature and art. Please encourage your child to participate in this venture. Save any art or special writing pieces that get sent home, and consider submitting them!
The Literary Magazine will be published and distributed in June. All student submissions are due March 30, 2022. However, stops are limited, so we encourage submissions as work is completed. We ask that all handwritten and typed submissions be previously edited by a guardian or teacher. With that being said, it is important that we honor where our students are in their writing, development, & education. We aren’t looking for perfect; we are looking for bravery, creativity, innovation, originality, and, above all to foster the love of artistic expression!
Finally, we will hold an art contest for our cover page. Traditionally, we’ve had a badger but we would love new ideas. Please let me know if you are interested in submitting and have your artwork to me by April 30th.
We look forward to your artistic creation & participation!
Best regards,
Mrs. Brielle Miller
Girls Basketball
For the full schedule, please click the link below
Girls Basketball 2023-2024 Schedule
Practice 12/5 3:05 to 4:30
Home Game Villa Walsh 3:05 to 5:00
Boys Basketball Grades 6th to 8th
If you are interested, please click on the link below
Practices 12/11 and 12/13 3:05-4:30
Craig School Annual Giving Campaign is in Full Swing!
Exciting news – The Craig School Annual Giving Campaign is officially underway! A huge shoutout to everyone who generously supported us on GivingTuesday. Your contributions make a world of difference!
Our goal this year is simple yet impactful: 100 % participation from our incredible Craig community. Every gift, regardless of size, contributes to the success of Craig School. You are a crucial ingredient in the recipe that makes Craig thrive!
Ready to be part of something amazing? Click the Donation Button to make your contribution.
Donate Here - Every Gift Matters!
If you have any questions or need assistance, please don't hesitate to reach out to Mary Calvano, Advancement, at mcalvano@craigschool.org or call 973-334-1234 x229.
Thank you for being the key to Craig's success!
Monday, December 4th
Wednesday, December 6th
Thursday, December 7th
Pick-up is at 3:55 pm
Please contact Stephen Vaporis, svaporis@craigschool.org, for more information.
The Craig School will be participating in a Gingerbread Stem Activity on December 15th. After the Stem activity, the students will visit a winter wonderland in the cafeteria. PACS will provide snacks, donuts, and hot chocolate. Nut, gluten, dairy, and egg-free options will be available.
PACS is in need of a few volunteers to set up and run the event from 8:30-12:00. Click here for the sign-up genius.
Thank you in advance for your time.
If you have any questions, please reach out to pacs@craigschool.org
Final Milestone in the Head of School Search Process
Parent Virtual Feedback Session via Zoom, Thursday, 12/7/2023 [9:15 – 9:45 am]
Please join Skip Kotkins, Carney Sandoe search consultant, for an important feedback session to access the current environment as part of Susan Schmitt’s, Head of School, transitions to Craig. Your input and feedback are very important for this process.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/98002820931?pwd=QnhMeG9WNmFyOStMYzNITnZ3cjEzdz09
Meeting ID: 980 0282 0931
Passcode: Badgers!
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Meeting ID: 980 0282 0931
Passcode: 69265986
For more information on ways of giving or to make a donation online you can clicking here.
