"Slow down, you crazy childYou're so ambitious for a juvenile"Vienna by Billy Joel 🍎 Virtual School Talk Workshop tomorrow! Watch live or get the recording after, save $5 with code FRIENDS5EVER Hi Reader, I need to pull a lesson from my teacher book this week... You see, it's Tuesday and I'm already exhausted (raise your hand if you agree!) I've signed myself up for a week of incredible achievements for Primary Focus...but having it all hit in the same week (and during Daylight Savings) has been a lot. I already feel my energy is ZAPPED And Reader, I know you're feeling this way too... So let's take some advice from Ms. Parmenter (that was my teacher name!) What would she tell one of her elementary school babies that was doing too much? 😴 I'd call you mom and suggest you go to bed earlier: On the weeks we are doing the most it feels harder to get to bed early, but sleep is essential for brain power. You might not get everything done, but you'll avoid careless mistakes. 🙆 We'd stretch during morning meeting: Your body is working on overdrive. Stretching will force you off your laptop. You'll reconnect with your body and help your poor sore neck. Ms. Parmenter thinks we should build in a stretch in the morning and 2-3 more times during your work day. 🛝 5 extra minutes at recess: Go outside. The days are getting shorter, so build in intentional time outdoors! I challenge you to get off zoom, pick up your phone, and have a walking meeting instead. 📝 We're skipping the spelling test: If you've got huge challenges coming up, cancel the little things. There are certainly things on your list that can wait til next week. You need to build in buffer time after challenging events to let your brain rest. What's keeping you busy this week? Respond to this email to share! What's New?🐰 Pop Up: I'll be hosting a mini version of the Kindergarten School Talk Workshop TOMORROW at The Bunny Hive. If you're a few years out from kindergarten, but still interested, this is a great, low priced taste of the workshop. $15 for guests / $10 for Bunny Hive Members. Littles are welcome to attend. 💻 Virtual Workshop: Looking at elementary schools in Charlotte, NC? Come to the virtual School Talk workshop 11/5. You'll fill out a survey so we can look at schools you're most interested in. 📚 Story Time: Come by for a cozy, cute story time this Friday 11/7 at Betty by Moxie in Plaza Midwood. 9:30 - 10am Things I Love📚 Holds Everything: I have a OT of hair, so many hair clips just don't do the trip. I love Kaxi's "holds everything" line. I use the lay down clip. They have several styles of clip and dozens of colors. ☕️ So Cozy: This time of year I always have cozy candles burning. My favorite candle company is Swan Creek Candles. Their smells are so good and you get a lot of candle for the price. Right now as I write this, I'm burning Vanilla Pound Cake 🤣 🐄 Dumb, entertaining game: One of my second grade tutoring buddies told me about her new fav game. Magnetic cows on headbands? You have to see it to understand. Needless to say she had hours of entertainment playing this. |
Learn about the latest news in education and tips to help your kids thrive in elementary school. Delivered to your inbox every Tuesday. Primary Focus was founded by Natalie Parmenter, a former kindergarten teacher to guide parents through elementary school. We provide information that is often common knowledge to teachers but is not widely known among parents. Primary Focus is dedicated to enlightening parents on all things elementary school so their children can thrive.
"Let me see what Spring is like on Jupiter and Mars" Fly Me to the Moon by Frank Sinatra Spring is almost here (March 20!) Reader, Spring is a beautiful time of year celebrated by cultures all over the world. Celebrations take form as the new year, tales of good triumphing over evil, and agriculture. Many of them will be observed in your own town. I picked out 5 festivals you could probably attend in your city. After you read this, just search name of festival + your city + kids This...
"You were in it for realShe was in her phone" Opalite by OK Go Hey Reader, This newsletter is a response to last week's newsletter. Read it here What you're saying about tech in schools: In January Dr. Jared Cooney Horvath, PhD, MEd shared the results of his assessments on school data over the past 50 years to Congress. The results were astounding, suggesting that when a country's school system widely adapts technology, student test scores are impacted. Here's what some of you said in...
"Just when you think you're in control" Here it Goes Again by OK Go Hi Reader, We're doing a deep dive today. I'd love to hear your thoughts after reading this! We gotta talk about tech in schools: On January 15, 2026, congress held a hearing on the impact of screen time on kids. During the hearing Dr. Jared Cooney Horvath, PhD, MEd shared the results of his assessments on school data over the past 50 years. For hundreds of years, we've counted on each generation outperforming the last in...