Weekly Update
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Good evening, Farmland Families, I hope you had a relaxing and enjoyable spring break! As we head into the final stretch of the school year, we're excited for the weeks ahead—full of learning, growth, and memorable experiences for our students. We look forward to welcoming everyone back to school on Tuesday, April 22. Thank you for your continued partnership and support. Warm regards, April April D. Longest Principal Farmland Elementary School This week in the Farmland Weekly Update:
End of the Year If you missed the announcement, the school year has been extended by two half days due to weather-related cancellations. These additional days are Monday, June 16, and Tuesday, June 17. Student grades will be available on Synergy starting June 24. We will hold our annual clap-out celebration for students and staff who are leaving Farmland on the half day, Friday, June 13. Please note that this is a student and staff-only event and is not open to families. Grading and Reporting Updates: What You Need to Know The Board of Education was informed of important updates to the Grading and Reporting Regulation (IKA-RA) for the 2025-2026 school year. These changes are designed to increase clarity and establish high expectations for students and include:
For more information, watch the full presentation on this topic. Staff Members of the Month We are thrilled to recognize the outstanding accomplishments of our staff members through our Staff Members of the Month nominations. One supporting staff member and one teaching staff member will be randomly selected each month. To nominate a staff member, please click this link to fill out the short nomination survey. A staff member will be recognized each month beginning May 1st. Nominees will receive a copy of their nomination submission. Restorative Practices for Children Repairing Harm When discussing how to make things right and repair harm, a common approach is for the responsible person to offer an apology. However, restorative practices are not limited to a specific strategy or outcome. Forced apologies, if not genuine, often do more harm than good. Simply saying "I'm sorry" or "I'm sorry you felt that way" doesn't clarify accountability or outline a path forward. If someone wishes to apologize, a more effective approach could be: "I'm sorry for ___________ because ____________. Next time, I will ___________." Additionally, we encourage our children to respond based on their feelings, using one of these options: Ready to forgive and move forward: "Thank you. I accept your apology/I forgive you." Needing more before moving on: "Thank you. I hope that ________ or I want ________________." or "Thank you. Can we come up with a plan to improve things or ensure this doesn't happen again?" Repairs are an essential component of any restorative process. It's crucial that the adult doesn't simply impose arbitrary consequences or punishments. Instead, a restorative conversation enables everyone to collaboratively establish agreements that are closely linked to the impact and harm caused by behaviors, often known as logical consequences. You can use this agreement template, commonly used in schools, as a tool for accountability in repairing harm. It's important to make sure these agreements promote positive skill-building and help your child feel reconnected and supported by you and the rest of the family. Behaviors and Ways We Can Support Our Children Children need to feel a sense of autonomy when coming up with ideas for repairs. When we give them this opportunity, they are more likely to follow through and feel motivated to improve next time. It also helps them develop valuable problem-solving skills. The list below isn't meant to be a comprehensive guide for all possible agreements but rather a collection of suggestions for potential repairs. Keep in mind that these agreements should be created by those involved in the incident or challenge:
Parent Teacher Association (PTA) Updates
Showcase Your Culture at International Night Come celebrate our diverse and vibrant Farmland community and enjoy learning about different countries and cultures on Wednesday, May 7, 5:30-7:30 PM. We invite all parents/guardians to sign up to display a table to showcase your country's culture, arts, and way of life and/or sign up your child for the cultural showcase of performances. Sign up here: https://m.signupgenius.com/#!/showSignUp/5080F4AA5AF22A0FA7-55410820-farmland
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