From the Desk of the Principal:
By this time Santa has made his list and has checked it twice. I know electronic items are very, very popular with children and adults, but please keep their value in learning and entertainment in balance. I want to share a story about something I observed on a Saturday morning in a restaurant in Dallas. I realize I do not have all the facts, and I don’t know what type of night or morning these parents may have had before coming to the restaurant for breakfast. I don’t want to be too judgmental.
While waiting to be served, a very good looking young couple with a baby of approximately 9 months sat and interacted with I-Phones and an I-Pad. Stationed in front of the baby was the I-Pad with an episode of Sesame Street playing on the screen. The parents demonstrated for the baby how to touch the screen to get a variety of actions. From that point on, there was very little interaction with the baby; the baby sat very quietly and watched the screen—even while he ate. Both mom and dad had cell phones and at various times during the breakfast, they texted or talked on their phones. There was little interaction between the parents.
At the table to the left of us was another family of three. The daughter was obviously a special needs child. She was supplied with paper, crayons, blocks, and fabric pieces. The parents were constantly talking with her and giving her feedback on the things with which she was playing. There was a big contrast between the actions of the two families.
Research shows it is not information coming from the screen on the I-Pad, or say, a Baby Einstein, that stimulates the baby’s brain; it is the interaction with the instrument itself that stimulates the brain. Once the baby has figured out how to interact with the instrument, the same neuro-pathways are stimulated. There are no new pathways or connections formed with repeating the same action over and over again. I am not knocking the learning tool, Baby Einstein, but Einstein was a genius because he was very creative and a thinker; it was not because he had lots of facts memorized or that he read by the age of four. As we know, he didn’t even speak until he was four.
I am not opposed to electronic games and learning tools; I just caution all parents to allow the playing of these types of items to be in moderation. For the best brain development, encourage creativity and lots of exploration.
Eagle Award Winners
Bode D, William D, Peyton R, Rachael L, Isaac B, Theresa B, Luke G, Max W, Jordan D, Joseph K,
Megan H, Olivia C
Up Coming Events
| December 17 |
Saturday |
Middle School Social 6 th, 7 th, and 8 th grades Santa Hat Movie Night 5:30-9:30 |
| December 22-January 2* |
Thursday-Monday |
Christmas Break *Bartlesville Public Schools has extended its winter break by one day. As in the past, we will follow their schedule. |
| January 12 |
Thursday |
St. John School Science Fair |
| January 12 |
Thursday |
OCCSAA 3 Year Visit |
| January 18 |
Wednesday |
Geography Bee |
| January 26 |
Thursday |
Spelling Bee |
| January 27 |
Friday |
St. John School Talent Show Approximately 2:00 p.m. |
| January 29-Feb 4 |
Sunday-Saturday |
Catholic Schools Week |
| February 4 |
Saturday |
Annual Auction 6:00-12:00 |
| February 6-10 |
Monday-Friday |
ITBS Testing |
| February 13-17 |
Monday-Thursday |
Make-up ITBS Testing |
Cafeteria Helpers
| December 15 |
Thursday |
Cynthia MacAdam |
| December 16 |
Friday |
Robert Winter |
| December 19 |
Monday |
Open |
| December 20 |
Tuesday |
Jamie Wilsey and Kristy Mazurek |
| December 21 |
Wednesday |
Robert Winter |
Annual Auction -
One Week Left to Turn in Items for the Auction to earn Free-Dress Pass for Your Student
It is time to bring silent auction items to school or get them directly to Jenifer Korte. Any auction item turned in by December 21 will earn a free dress pass for your student. The success of our fundraising efforts directly benefits the school.
Raffle tickets went home before Thanksgiving. There are additional tickets in the front office if you need more. Monies from the sale of tickets can be turned in at any time.
There are some Scrip Shopping Cards available in the office to purchase.
