Letter From The Principal: What's Your Child's Story

Recently, a friend asked me to share “my story” with her.

I wondered if I should begin with my birth when she followed her request with this next question: “What was your favorite story or book from when you were a young child?”

I wasn’t sure how this would help tell “my story” but I didn’t hesitate to give a response. The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle, is a book I remember fondly from when I was very young. If you are familiar with the book, then you know there are holes in the pages from where the caterpillar has eaten through different fruits, vegetables, cookies, ice cream, etc. as he prepares for his metamorphosis into a butterfly. (I used to love to poke my finger through these holes!)

I was then asked, “Which character in the book did I think represented me?”

It didn’t take much thinking. I said that I felt the caterpillar represented me.

The next question: “Why?”

This is when I realized how sharing my favorite story or book from when I was a young child would tell “my story.”

The reason I feel the caterpillar represents me is because I had to go through a metamorphosis in my life in order to become the person I am today.

My friend shared her favorite childhood story and how it told “her story,” and she also shared her granddaughter’s “story” of how she, like Belle from Beauty and the Beast, likes to look for the good in all people.

What’s your story?

Do you know your child’s story?

I hope you can carve out some time from your busy schedules to do this activity with your child. 

Ask your child what childhood book holds the most memory for him/her then begin asking the questions I was asked. As much as you will enjoy hearing your child’s “story” I am certain your child will be equally entertained by hearing your “story.”

Wouldn’t it be fun if your favorite childhood book is the same as your child’s?

I have also included some “front-loading” questions to prepare students for next week’s If you have time, you may want to have a dialogue with your child about these as well.

Thank you for remembering to put off all appointments for your child until after 10:45 AM during this week of MAP testing. Thank you, also, for reminding your child that we are all confident that he/she will demonstrate problem-solving, persistence, creativity, flexibility, and most importantly an ability to transfer learning to new situations on these assessments. 

Finally, we ask that you remind your child to get a good night’s sleep, eat a healthy breakfast, and to stay hydrated! (Of course, this is good advice for any day of the week and year.)

Have a wonderful week!

Kim