January 2023 Highlights

NewtonDay

The students came to school wearing scientist costumes and played trivia games in class to celebrateSirIsaacNewton’sbirthday.

WaterFilterExperiment

InChemistryclass,ourhighschoolstudentsdidan experiment that helped them understand the processoffilteringwater.

MathandPhysics

Our Physics and Math students worked together on a solar oven project. They designed and built their own unique solar ovens and tested them by putting themintosunlight.

DigitalSafety

During Elementary Assembly, the Grade 4 students of Ms. Fiona Cunningham tackled digital security andinternetsafety.

RollerCoasters

In Grade 8 Science, students made their own models of roller coasters to apply their understanding of kinetic and potential energy, gravity,andforces.

Counselor's Desk: New Year, New Me

How to stop breaking your New Year’s Resolutions and achieve your goals?

Every January millions of people around the world tell themselves that this New year will be a year of change, for the better They instill their hopes and dreams for self-improvement into their New Year’s resolutions. The new year feels like a fresh start and a great opportunity to change bad habits, establish new routines that will help you grow psychologically, emotionally, socially, physically,orintellectually.

You may then ask yourselves, how can I succeed in keeping up with my New Year resolutions and stop the cycle of resolving to make change but not following through.Herearesometipstohelpyougetstarted.

1.CreateS.M.A.R.Tgoals

Giveyourselfaclear,well–definedgoalwhencreatinga resolution, for example, instead of your new year’s resolution being “Run more often” it can be “run 5 kilometerstwiceaweekbyMay2023.”

2. Emphasize on building habits versus achieving goals

It is important to emphasize on process-oriented goals., In this instance it could be that building healthy habits leadustoachievingsustainablelong-termgoals.

3.Keepyourgoalsrelevanttoyourcurrentlifestyle

You may want to align your goal with your current lifestyle, so it isn’t too much of an adjustment, and is sustainableovertime.

4. Aligning your resolutions to who you are personallyandprofessionally

New Year’s resolutions often fail because our goals are focused on what we think we want, rather than who we are as a person. Essentially, you will stick to your New Year’s resolutions if they’re aligned with who you are andwhattrulybringsyoujoy

5.PutTimeintoPlanning

Picking wisely and putting in extensive planning are essential parts of achieving any goal. Once you have planned and scheduled your day, focus on taking small steps that will ultimately help you reach your larger goal.

ByMs.AmenaSaleem SchoolGuidanceCounselor

6.SmallStepsLeadtoSuccess

While it may seem like a slow start, these small incremental changes make it easier to stick to your new healthy habits and increase the likelihood of long-termsuccess.

7.Celebratethesmallandbigvictories

Celebrate your successes by treating yourself to something you enjoy that doesn’t contradict your resolution.

8.Talkaboutit

The buddy system can help you stay motivated and accountable. Sticking to your resolutions becomes fun when you work together to motivate oneanotherinreachingyoursharedgoals.

9.Renewyourmotivation

Keep a pros and cons list handy for when you think of quitting your goals. Don't forget to find sources of inspiration that can keep you going when times gettough.

10.Rememberthatchangeisaprocess

It may take longer than you would like to achieve your goals, but remember that this is not a race to the finish but rather a lifetime commitment towardschangingyourundesiredbehaviors.

Note: For the full text, the Counselor’s Desk for January 2023wassenttotheNIScommunitythroughemail.