Issue #12: November 6, 2025
Issue #12: November 6, 2025
Embedded Files
From the Principal
From the Principal
Ms. Michelle Alzamora
At school, we often talk with students about the importance of trying their best and not giving up when learning something new. Productive struggle means that a task feels difficult but can still be done with effort. When students work through challenges, they stretch their thinking, solve problems, and build confidence.
This kind of hard work helps the brain grow and leads to deeper learning than when something feels easy. When children face challenges, they also learn how to handle frustration, ask for help in smart ways, and try new ideas. As parents and educators, our role is to provide encouragement and the right amount of support without taking over the challenge for them.
Family Tips for Supporting Productive Struggle
Family Tips for Supporting Productive Struggle
Normalize challenge: Let your child know that learning should sometimes feel hard. Struggle means their brain is growing.
Celebrate effort, not just results: Praise persistence, creative thinking, and problem-solving rather than focusing only on grades or correct answers.
Ask guiding questions: Instead of giving answers, try asking, “What have you tried so far?” or “What could you do differently?”
Model perseverance: Share stories about something you worked hard to learn and how it felt to finally succeed.
Pause before rescuing: Offer reassurance and empathy, but allow your child time to think and problem-solve independently.
When children are encouraged to persevere through challenge, they build confidence and a lasting belief in their own abilities. Productive struggle teaches them that mistakes are not the end of learning but often the very beginning.
Warmly,
The ES Admin Team
ES Conferences: Feedback Welcome
ES Conferences: Feedback Welcome
Thank you for taking part in our Elementary School Goal-Setting Conferences. We hope you found these conversations meaningful and informative as you connected with your child and their teacher.
At ACS, we value these conferences as an opportunity to strengthen the partnership between home and school while empowering students to take ownership of their learning journey. Your feedback helps us continue to improve how we connect, communicate, and celebrate growth together.
Please take a few minutes to share your thoughts so we can enhance future conference experiences for all ES families.
Sugar Dash: Raising Awareness Through Movement
Sugar Dash: Raising Awareness Through Movement
On Thursday, November 13 at 8:00 AM, our elementary students will take part in the annual Sugar Dash in support of Diabetes Awareness Month. This fun and meaningful event brings our community together for a morning of movement, teamwork, and awareness.
Families are encouraged to help students show their support by wearing blue and grey that day. Classes will gather on the field in front of the bleachers during Morning Meeting time to run, cheer, and celebrate health and community spirit.
Thank you for helping us make this event a special part of our school year.
From the ES Learning Commons
From the ES Learning Commons
It's Know-vember! Time to learn some amazing facts about the world! Learner Publishing is sharing some of its books as a free read-aloud for each day of the month. Check out the selection here.
Love reading? You’ll love these too!
Check out Common Sense Media’s list of the Best Podcasts for Kids Who Love Reading — perfect for young bookworms who enjoy stories, author chats, and creative adventures, anytime and anywhere!
Grade 5 students exploring the wonders of space with PebbleGo! From the Moon to distant planets and mysterious black holes, they’re discovering fascinating facts about our universe one click at a time!
ES Article of the Month
ES Article of the Month
ES Article of the month:
Important Dates & Quick Links
Important Dates & Quick Links
Mark Your Calendars!
Mark Your Calendars!
November 11 - CCT - Late Start Day
November 13 - Sugar Dash
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