Hello Plainfield,
I’ve been reading a book by Daniel Pink, “The Power of Regret.” I have mixed feelings so far but it has me thinking about many different things which is usually a sign of a worthwhile read. Mostly it affirms the importance of making emotionally AND cognitively informed decisions, reflecting on those decisions, and learning from our mistakes. Pretty straightforward but the emotional part can be tricky and regret is a very powerful emotion. Daniel Pink challenges us to stray from the cultural push to have “No Regrets” to instead honor (but not dwell on) feelings of regret, remorse, and shame just long enough to understand and learn from those experiences. Lots of connections come up when reading a book like this. I recall a time in my 30s when I sent a long and scathing email in reaction to one I received from a colleague. I reacted out of anger, and I regretted it. But I learned from it. I never wanted to feel that sense of shame or regret again. Now when I am frustrated or emotional in response to an email I receive, I always allow a wait time and sometimes seek editing from trusted sources. Actually, I often pick up the phone or try to meet in person. All learning thanks to past regrets.
Similarly, when I first started using “Talk to Text” I made an incredible gaff that, to this day, makes me way more careful about reading me “talk to text” messages before I hit send. In my son’s sophomore year of high school, I came home one night after it snowed to discover he had worn his dress shoes outside in the snow. I scolded him only to find out that it was because his winter boots no longer fit. Feeling like an awful mom, I was determined to rectify the situation. The next night, on my way home, I had just enough time to run into the shoe store. I was in a hurry so on my way in, I used “talk to text” to send him a message, “Ready for some boot pictures?” As I entered the store, the phone vibrated with his reply which said, “Mom! Wait! What?!!!” I scrolled up to my message (this was a tiny flip phone by the way) which replaced the word “Boot” and resulted in a sentence none of us would ever want to say to our children! I quickly corrected it and sent him the pictures of the BOOTS. Of course, he and his friends (they were all at dinner at the time) got a good laugh at my expense. Some mistakes are more humorous than others I guess. 
We had a great week last week at PES. Students are once again settled into learning routines. The musical is in full force, our 8th graders took a field trip to visit HACTC in Hartford, Kindergarten hosted a group of educators learning about the importance of Nature Play, Turning Points Network wrapped up an 8th-grade unit on bias and sexual harassment, Abby Harrington hosted one of the largest Thinking Playground sessions to date (at least 20 kids in K to 4 attended!) and our teachers took time to reflect on our year-to-date progress on our annual goals. (More details are available in my monthly board report.)
This week is equally busy. Grades 3/4 are gearing up for Project Sleuth (Thursday Night), PES students will be helping to host a senior luncheon on Thursday, upper grades chorus students perform at the Lebonan Opera House on Thursday night, and we're expecting another Nor'Easter on Tuesday!
Don’t forget this week there is NO SCHOOL ON FRIDAY. Teachers have a professional development day.
Attached you will find timely information regarding the following:
- Musical Performance - Advance ticket sales for Newsies are now available HERE
- Food Drive and Drama Donations
- Scholastic Book Fair - They still need volunteers, please read!!
- Vacation and Summer Camps
Finally, and MOST IMPORTANTLY, please remember to vote on Tuesday, March 14th, and come out for the District and Town Meetings on Saturday, March 18th. The 8th Grade is offering lunch between the District (9 am to ?) and Town (1 pm to ?) meetings. Also, our 7th-grade class provides babysitting services at the meeting. These were not available during COVID but both are back and are important fundraising opportunities for the 8th-grade class trip. I recently read an essay on the importance of community that my daughter wrote for a nursing program application. She referenced a memory from attending those meetings and the impact of seeing her community show up to support the school and town initiatives. When we are "all in" for events like this, we are setting an example for the next generation.
Have a great night,
Audra
P.S. Please don’t forget you can view our Lost and Found closet online. The lost and found website is updated weekly.
MARCH
13 Drama Rehearsal 3:00 pm
13 Drama Choreography during WIN
14 K to 4 School Sing – 8 am Lobby – Parents/Guardians Welcome
14 Math Meet @ Mascoma - dismissal at 2:25 pm
14 PTA Meeting – 6 pm - Library
14 Town Vote
14 Drama Rehearsal 4:30 pm Music Focus
15 PES XC Skiing 2:50 pm
15 Art Club & Set Design Grades 5-8 3:00 pm
15 PES School Board Reorganization Meeting 5:30 pm
16 Community Luncheon 10:30-1:00
16 All District Chorus Concert 7:00 pm - Lebanon Opera House
16 Bridge Up Intro Meeting Grade 5, 10:00 am
16 Drama Club Meeting 11:25 am
16 Drama Rehearsal 3:00 pm
16 Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee Meeting – 6 pm - Library
16 Grades 3/4 Project Sleuth Night 6:00-7:00 pm
17 End of 2nd Trimester
17 No School Professional Development Day – CONNECTIONS
18 Annual School District Meeting 9:00 am
18 Town Meeting
20 4 Winds Training at Plainfield 8:30 am
20 BridgeUP - 5th Grade 9:45 am
20 Drama Rehearsal 3:00 pm
20 Drama Choreography during WIN
20-24 Book Fair
20 Safety Committee Meeting – 3:15 pm - Library
20 4 Winds Training 8:30 am
21 K to 4 School Sing – 8 am Lobby – Parents/Guardians Welcome
21 BridgeUP - 5th Grade 9:45 am
21 Drama Rehearsal 4:30 pm Music Focus
22 BridgeUP - 5th Grade 9:45 am
22 Professional Development Committee Meeting – 3:10 to 4:30 – Library
22 PES XC Skiing 2:50 pm
22 Art Club Grades 3/4 3:00 pm
23 5H Hood Museum 9:00 am
23 Drama Club Meeting 11:25 am
23 Drama Rehearsal 3:00 pm
23 All District Jazz Concert 7:00 - Lebanon Opera House
24 All School Assembly – Random Acts of Kindness
24 TIGER Performance Grades K-5
24 5C Hood Museum 9:00 am
24 Drama Rehearsal 3:00 pm
25 Drama Rehearsal 12:00 pm
27 Drama Tech/Dress Rehearsal 3:00 pm
27 Drama Choreography during WIN
28 K to 4 School Sing – 8 am Lobby – Parents/Guardians Welcome
28 Drama Tech/Dress Rehearsal 3:00 pm
29 BridgeUP - 5th Grade 9:45 am
29 PES XC Skiing 2:50 pm
30 Early Release, Parent/Teacher Conferences - Report Cards & iReady Scores handed
out and annual progress to date discussed at conferences
30 Drama Performance Cast and Crew Call Time 5:00; Preview Show Time 7:00 pm
31 Grades 3-8 Field Trip to Broggs Opera House to watch Newsies 9:15-11:30 am
30 BridgeUP - 5th Grade 9:45 am
31 Early Release, Parent/Teacher Conferences
31 Drama Performance
31 BridgeUP - 5th Grade 9:45 am