“Forgiveness does not change the past,but it does enlarge the future.”
~ Paul Boese

Forgiveness is Cottage Lane’s Superpower of the month. At our assembly, The Forgiver reminded us about the importance of forgiveness and new beginnings. Please visit the Forgiveness Assembly page for additional songs and videos.

Below is our poem for the month, “New Beginnings”. A New Year’s Resolution is a tradition which a person makes a promise to do an act of self-improvement or something slightly nice, beginning on New Year’s Day. One way we can better ourselves is to forgive.

Choose one or more of the questions below and write a comment:

• Are some mistakes easier to forgive than others? Explain.
• Why is it sometimes difficult to forgive others?
• What are some ways you can be more forgiving?

As a school community we will place our thumbprints on a dove. These doves will represent the peace in our hearts that will bring peace to the world!

It is time to get those creative juices going again! Mrs. McBride is offering an opportunity to put your skills to work. Entries are due January 26th and must be decorated to show your uniqueness and/or passion. Find out more details for this month’s challenge here – The Snow Person Challenge.

Congratulations Ava!!

Congratulations Roland!

This month the Hulk challenges to use our Superpower, Gratitude.  Kid President has a few ideas for us too.

Here are three challenges:

1. Call that special person on the green slip and let them know how grateful you are for him/her. Return the slip to school and link it to our gratitude chain.
2. Bring in an item for our Food Drive.
3. Be inspired by The Secret of Saying Thanks and keep a 21-Day Gratitude Journal. Read and listen to our book of the month here – Secret of Saying Thanks. Comment 3 things you’re grateful for. They can be super simple—and nothing is too small. For example: 1. Favorite cereal this AM 2. Warm bed to sleep in 3. Funny chat with my brother. Do this for 21 days, But you can’t list your family members by name over and over. You have to write different things each day—this is how you learn to flex your gratitude muscle.Why 21 days? Scientists believe it takes that long for something to become a habit. Good luck!

Congratulations Lexi for being selected for the Optimism award!!

Congratulations to our Word of the Month recipient Sophia!!!

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September’s Superpower is courage!

• Courage is strength in the face of pain or grief; the quality of being brave; valor; heroism.
• Courage means sacrificing your needs for the needs of another.
• Courage means taking a risk and facing your fears.
• It takes courage to admit you have made a mistake.
• It takes courage to stand up for someone who is being teased.

Maira Kalman’s Fireboat: The Heroic Adventures of the John J. Harvey inspires all of us to be heroic, no matter our size or age and is our book of the month. Visit fireboat.org and read additional news article.

September 11 is Patriot Day. Patriot Day is to remember those who were injured or died during the terrorist attacks in the United States on September 11, 2001. September 11th reminds us of all those who displayed great acts of courage that day. We must remember that ordinary citizens have the power to be extraordinary.

• Decorate a medal in honor of a fallen hero. Find a name here.
• How will you show courage this year? Post your comment below.

It is time to get those creative juices going again!

Mrs. McBride is offering another opportunity for you to put your skills to work.

Find out more details for this month’s challenge here – Remembering Memorial Day