Every new challenge widens my horizons, strengthens my self-competence and heightens my enjoyment of discovery.

NEWSLETTER SEPTEMBER 8 2017

Wider Horizons School

IMPORTANT DATES: 9/11 Patriot Day 9/15 Grandparent’s Visit 9/15 Constitution Day 10/4 Individual Student Portraits 10/9 COLUMBUS DAY- No School 10/11 PSAT test for high school

IAMWHATEVERICHOOSETOBE:THATISDELUSIONALByDomenickJ.MaglioPhD.

Youaskmostpreteensorteenagerswhattheyexpecttohavehappenintheirfutureandtheytellyouwithanairofcertainty,itisnotwhattheywanttohappenbutwhatisgoingtohappen.Theseyoungpeoplebelievetheycanchoosetheirfutureand“presto”itwillhappen.

Thisisunderstandableconsideringmosthaveonlytotelltheirparentswhattheydemandandtheyreceiveit.“WhenIam16yearsoldyouwillgetmeanewredV-8Corvette.”Thereisnobargainingorpleadingwiththeirparents.Theseentitlementyoungstershavebeenprogrammedtoinstantlychooseandbegrantedwhatevertheywant.

Intherecentpastpeopleoftentalkedaboutbeingamillionairebeforetheywere40yearsoldandexpectedtoowntheirownupscalehome.Manyhopedtobeafamoussinger,doctor,politicianortheCEOofaFortune500company.Theseweredreamsthatmotivatedpeopletostrivetodotheexceptional.Theyrealizethatthesehighexpectationsmightneveroccurbuttheywouldgiveittheirbestshot.

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BEST OF LUCK TO YOU - WITH THE STORMS

GRANDPARENT VISIT - Re Scheduled for FRIDAY, SEPT 15th

Preschool 8:30 - 9:30 A.M. Primary (K and 1st) 9:00 - 10:00 A.M. 2nd Grade 10:00 - 10:30 A.M. 3rd Grade 10:30 - 11:00 A.M. Upper Elem. (4th, 5th, an 6th) 1- 2:00pm Jr. High/ High School 1:30 -2:30 P.M.

WIDER HORIZONS SCHOOL EDUCATES Wider Horizons School mission is providing an education for our students and staying open these past two days demonstrated our commitment to provide the best education for our students. WHS does not shirk from our responsibility. Since the storm was not expected to reach Florida for several days it made sense to have school open for the many working parents who really appreciated having school for their children and thanked us for remaining open. Even though these days were an excused absence for those who wanted to evacuate, many students attended classes. Students had the opportunity to continue on with their rigorous academic studies.

WHS will be closed on Monday as the storm is predicted to be in this area then. We will post on Facebook any further information concerning being open or closed when we can better determine the actual situation.

Ninth graders attend Spanish class while junior high students draw a still life in art. Biology students have a class discussion. Fifth graders discuss a lesson.

PRESCHOOL Mrs. Bermudez & Ms.Grant

This week in preschool, we continued our discussions on the continents, parts of the tree, and apples. At the art table, the children painted a snail.

During circle time the children had lessons on odd and even numbers, the meaning of zero, and another lesson with the Spindle Boxes. The purpose of this equipment is to reinforce the concept of zero, to see the numerals 0-9 in their correct fixed sequence, and to match them with the correct number of loose spindles. Some children were introduced to the Decimal System Bead material. The purpose of this equipment is to familiarize the child with the names of the different categories (Units, ten bead bar, hundred square, and thousand cubes).

In Sensorial, we had lessons on sequencing, sorting, and right and left activities. In language we have some of the children working with sounds, blending sounds, short vowel, and reading Bob Books.

The preschoolers continue to learn Spanish two days out of the week. They are learning colors, songs, greetings, the days and months of the year, and are learning to make music using water glasses during Music time.

Preschoolers practice balance with bean bags.

PRIMARY Mrs. Youse, Mrs. McKinney, Mrs. Marcano,

& Ms. Bennett

As the school year progresses, the students are feeling more comfortable in doing their work, selecting more challenging work, and getting into a more comfortable routine. This week we have emphasized the word “quality.” The students were able to explain what quality means to them and were able to differentiate between a quality work and

one that does not portray quality. They are trying to do their best to please themselves, their teachers, and their parents.

In language, some students are working on learning letter sounds and blends. Others are working on creative stories in their language books or using stamps to create a story. Some students are working diligently on improving their penmanship, practicing letters, writing numbers, and learning their values.

The students have worked hard preparing for the Grandparents’ visit by memorizing a song, a poem, and creating a grandparents’ card. They are very excited to spend this time with you in a school environment where they can share with you their knowledge and a fraction of their work day. Grandparents’ Visit has been rescheduled for Friday, September 15th.

In science, we are almost finished with our chapter on shells. This week we read Shells by the Beach. This book came with matching shells. Each student had a shell, had to remember the name of their shell, and then had to present it to the class as we read the book. This exercise was a listening activity, and by the end of the book, they had remembered the names of the shells and analyzed their appearance as well. Also, the students enjoyed making shell necklaces and learning about how the holes in the shells are made. They learned that the shell houses a predator, which makes the hole.

Zander learns the geometric shapes and their names.

LOWER ELEMENTARY Mrs. Urbanek & Mrs. Bianco

Congratulations to Shyilah, Aishah, Jocelyn, and William M. for having a perfect reading sheet this week.

Congratulations to Kai for mastering her addition facts. Congratulations to Abigail for moving up to the next times tables. This week in spelling, the students used stamps or cereal to make their spelling words. The second grade students are learning how to alphabetize their spelling words, which is the first step in learning how to use a dictionary. The students played “roll the dice” and used a variety of materials to spell out their words. They also learned the meaning of each word.

This week in language arts, the second grade students continued to work on word gender. The third graders learned about homographs, homophones, synonyms, and antonyms.

This week in math, the students continued to work on geometry cards and worked in their math booklets. This week they learned about place value.

In Spanish the students are reviewing sounds of the alphabet. They are also reviewing the different foods.

At the end of the day during circle, the students enjoyed playing a game with large dice and then multiplying the numbers together. They also have a multiplication song that they sing to help them remember their multiplication facts, as well as help them learn about the ones they do not already know.

This week we talked about September 11th and what the students understand about the events that took place on that date. We also sung the national anthem. This week in art, the students finished crafts for their grandparents. In geography the students are continuing to work on their solar system booklets.

In Native American history, the students worked on the different areas of Native American life. In science the students continued to work on the mammal.

Parents frequently ask about how they can help their child. At this point in the school year, most students are learning or re-learning their math facts. Your child can create their own flash cards and would enjoy practicing with you!

Have a safe weekend!

STUDENT EDITOR: Caitlyn Deam

UPPER ELEMENTARY Mrs. Gutierrez, Mrs. McMahon & Mrs. Hughes

The fourth graders learned more about taxonomy this week. They were challenged to name animals that fit into one taxon, but not another. They also began their full math homework schedule. Many of them are ahead and have time to do math extensions. The students are enjoying their newspaper presentations. This is an opportunity for the students to read the paper, familiarize themselves with current events, and to have a bit of show-and-tell with their friends.

This week the fifth grade students explored the basic math equation story problem of some + some more.  Everyone grasped the concept easily and applied it correctly to their math worksheet. Congratulations to Madelynn, Sydnie, and Mateo for maintaining high standards in spelling and vocabulary.   Each has received 100% on all of their weekly tests so far.  Keep up the great work. Madelynn also scored a 100% on her first math test.

Sixth graders have already learned to identify subjects in sentences in their natural order, but are currently learning to locate subjects in sentences written in inverted order. This is proving to be a little more difficult and will require more care and practice to master. Our first science test proved to be quite challenging and sixth graders learned a hard lesson. That lesson being: only studying a few hours before the test will not suffice. Hopefully, they will be more successful on upcoming tests. Please note that the 15th of September is approaching quickly and sixth graders are responsible for completing the book, My Side of the Mountain by this date.

Parents, please remember to sign and return scorecards as soon as possible.

JUNIOR/SENIOR HIGH Mrs. Parks, Ms. Ramirez, & Mrs. Leonardo Next week will mark the fifth week

into the nine-week quarter. We will be sending out progress reports next Friday. If your student does not receive a progress report, this means that they are doing fine at this time. If your student

receives a progress report, they still have time to pull up those grades by the end of the first quarter. The progress report must be signed by a parent and returned back to the teacher the following day.

We have been discussing wind, weather, and climate in geography and earth science. We have gone over wind patterns and storm systems. This is an opportune t ime to show specific information on hurricanes, cyclones, and tornadoes. We also have spoken and learned about weather patterns, weather forecasting, and climate regions.

Please choose the Biography Fair person you will be presenting and have it approved soon. Be safe this weekend!

PRE-K & PRIMARY AFTERSCHOOL Mrs. Leonardo

The students had a crafty four day week in after school. They made flour based homemade play-dough that they were able to use in the classroom and take home with them. The students also drew pictures, and they were encouraged to make pictures for their grandparents for Grandparent's Day next week. For exercise, we did some stretching in circle and played four-corners when the weather was not cooperative for going out on the play ground. 

Charlotte and Ashton celebrate their birthday walk.

AFTERSCHOOL Mrs. McMahon & Ms. Bennett

This week the children participated in games, such as kickball, capture the flag, and tag on the playground. We also played indoor games such as deskball and four corners.

During our time inside, the children used the building activities such as Legos, Blocks, and Oogly Googly. They also spent time playing various board games. On Thursday they participated in mind game activities like Cranium, Scrabble, Rummy, Spot It, and Chess.

Next Friday the children will be learning how to make a homemade chocolate cake. We have postponed the project since not all students have brought in the items needed.

Wishing everyone a safe weekend.

Brooklyn listens to the sound a shell makes. Ella selects a special shell and makes a

necklace.

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Ontheroadtotheirdreamsmanyindividualsdidnotwanttopaythepricetoreachtheirobjective.Manyhadmoralvaluesthatheldthemback.Otherschangedtheirgoalswhentheyrealizedtheyfeltmoreful\illeddoingsomethingmoresuitedtothem.Mostlearnedone’spathgoingthroughlifewasnotasmooth,straightsuperhighwaybutatwisting,turningandattimesbumpyone.Realitystillhadaplaceintheirheads.

Ourpresentgenerationhasbeenshieldedfromtheharshrealitiesoflife.Ouryoungstershavenotdirectlysacri\icedduringourMiddleEastcon\licts,deadlyplaguesoreconomicdisasters.Theyliveinanaf\luentbubble.Whatevertheymateriallywantaftersuf\icientlynaggingtheirparents,theyget.

Thiscertitudeofexpectationshasnowmovedintoanotherrealm.Ithasmovedfrompossessionsandworktoonesappearanceandbeing.Withthecurrentmodernscience,growth,emotionalhormonesandcosmeticsurgeryhasgiventheyoungergenerationsandtheirparentsthebeliefthattheycanaltertheirbeingtobesomeoneelse.Theycanchangetheirfacialfeatures,breastsize,weightorheightthroughsurgeryanddrugs.Theycaninstantlychangetheirmentaloremotionalstatebyreadilyavailableprescriptions.

Currentlychildrenasyoungasthreeyearsoldareinsisting(throughtheirparent’sadvocacy)tochangetheirgender.Theseparentsbelievetheearlierthereassignmentsurgery,thelesstraumathechildwillsufferinthetransitionfromonegendertoanother.Thereisnoscienti\icevidencetosupportthisideaandplentytoopposeit.

Regardlessofthesuccessoftheanatomicalandhormonalchange,itisimpossibletopredicthowthechildwillfeelaboutthisarti\icialtransitionanytimeinthelifecycle.Accordingtoa2008studyinTheAmericanAcademyofChildandAdolescentPsychiatry,“mostchildrenwithgenderdysphoria(amentaldisorder)willnotremaingenderdysphoricafterpuberty.”

Thereisnoscienti\icorlogicalreasonthatprepubescentchildrenshouldbeallowedtosufferthroughthisordeal.Dr.PaulMcHugh,formerheadofJohnHopkinsPsychiatrydepartmentviewedreassignmentsurgeryasabuse.“Wehaveaveryradicalandevenmutilatingtreatmentbeingofferedtochildrenwithoutanyevidencethatthelongtermoutcomesofitwouldbegood.”JohnHopkinsHospitalhasendeditstransgenderprocedures.Afterreassignmentsurgerymanypeoplequicklyreturntoadysphoriamoodremainingseverelydepressedandevensuicidal.

Fifteenyear-oldstudentsarenotabletocomprehendlong-termconsequencesyetcertainschoolsinOregonaregoingtoprovidefreereassignmentsurgerywithoutanyneedforparentalnoti\icationorapproval.Besidesusurpingparentalrightsitisbeyondthescopeofeducationandgoodhealthpractices.Theseyoungstersneedsigni\icantandlong-termmentalhealththerapynotanextremefanaticaloperationthatwouldonlyaddtoconfusionandpaintoamentallydisorderedyoungster.

Theseyoungsterswillalwaysknowtheywerebornonegenderandwerechangedtoanother.TheDNAwillalwaysremainthesamesubstantiatingtherealityofwhatgendertheywereborn.

Wecanchoosetodomanydelusionalthingsinourlives.Therealityisthattherearemanythingswecannotdo.Wecannotgobackintime,pickadifferentfamilytobeborninto,stopallevilordictateourfuture.

Notacceptingthehandwearedealtisarecipeforinternalcon\lictleadingtoamentalbreakfromreality.Theseyoungsterswillfacemore,notfewerissuesdealingwiththereactionofothers.Theywillalwaysbefreaksinthemindsofmany.Delusionalstateshaveneverbeenameanstohappinessandmentalstability.

DomenickMaglio,PhD.isacolumnistcarriedbyvariousnewspapers,anauthorofseveralbooksandowner/directorofWiderHorizonsSchool,acollegeprepprogram.Dr.Maglioisanauthorofweeklynewspaperarticles,INVASIONWITHINandanewjustpublishedbook,entitled,INCHARGEPARENTINGInaPCWorld.YoucanvisitDr.Maglioatwww.drmaglio.blogspot.com.