Welcome back to the 2016-2017 school year! The theme of this school year is officially the Year of Positivity!

 

How does positive thinking help students? In a recent article in an issue of TeensHealth Magazine we find the following advice for children: “Positive emotions balance out negative ones, but they have other powerful benefits, too. Instead of narrowing our focus like negative emotions do, positive emotions affect our brains in ways that increase our awareness, attention, and memory. They help us take in more information, hold several ideas in mind at once, and understand how different ideas relate to each other. When positive emotions open us up to new possibilities, we are more able to learn and build on our skills. That leads to doing better on tasks and tests. People who have plenty of positive emotions in their everyday lives tend to be happier, healthier, learn better, and get along well with others.” The benefits of focusing our thinking, emotions, work and relationships in this direction as having a great payoff has been documented in science and psychology, in a multitude of ways that bring success and happiness. What a great way to spend our time with students, staff and our extended educational community!

 

I wish all of our students and families a successful school year filled with new beginnings, rewarding experiences, great joy and positivity!

 

Sincerely,