Building Stronger Families

As a husband and father of six beautiful children under the age of six, I know how challenging it is to keep the family unit thriving.  I would like to share a few rituals that have helped our family grow closer and stronger…

Family Dinner!  We make it a point to eat dinner together every night.  Everyone has to share something about their day while the rest of us listen. Eating dinner together every night might not be possible for every family, but every family should have dinner together at least once a week (without the TV or any other electronic device).

Movie Night! Designate one day a week to watch a movie or family TV show together.  I know there is much in the film industry today that we do not want our children exposed to.  A great website that provides detailed movie reviews is Common Sense Media http://www.commonsensemedia.org/ . These reviews have been a great guide to our movie selection.  If you are looking for a good clean adventure TV show our family suggests The Adventures of Merlin (Colin Morgan as Merlin).

Game Night! Playing games together is a great opportunity to deepen  family relationships.  They can help develop teamwork and good sportsmanship while sharpening the intellect.  No matter what my wife or kids tells you, I didn’t cheat to win last week.  I won Chutes and Ladders fair and square!

Camp-Out? I stole this idea from my sister and brother-in-law.  I am not big on “roughing it” so when I heard that my sister’s family was going “camping” in their living room I quickly announced to my family “Tonight we go camping!”.  One hour later I was back from the store with a cheap tent and the stuff to make smores.  We had a blast telling stories and eating those smores in the comfort of our living room!

Pray! If you are a family of faith, there is an old adage that says, “The family that prays together stays together”.

Audio Books! Our family has sincerely enjoyed the dramatized version of the Chronicles of Narnia by Focus on the Family Radio Theatre.  The Lord of the Rings dramatized audio book by the BBC is also great. Snuggling up together on the couch while listening to these stories has been awesome.

Feel free to share some of the things your family does together!

Week of Respect

By law, NJ schools are to observe this week beginning the first Monday in October. The purpose of this week is to provide age-appropriate instruction focusing on preventing harassment, intimidation, or bullying. Van Derveer School had a fantastic “Week of Respect” which ran October 3^rd-7^th. Each morning, Van Derveer students reflected on a “Respect Quote” from influential people of the past and present.  On October 3^rd, Mrs. Haynes and I read the story “Have You Filled Your Bucket Today?” to students and staff members.  The bucket filling theory has caught on quickly in our school!

In preparation for the “Week of Respect” students attended a dynamic anti-bullying assembly entitled “The Power of One”.  The program empowered VDV students and was well received by all.  To continue the anti-bullying momentum, staff and students signed our anti-bullying pledge. Those who signed it have pledged to keep VDV BULLY-FREE by being upstanders rather than bystanders, by reporting bullying, and to never bully any individual in our school. I must say that students have been incredibly enthusiastic and cooperative in keeping VDV BULLY- FREE.  We are proud of our students!  We will we be observing School Violence Awareness Week October 17^th-21^st followed by Red Ribbon Week October 22^nd-30^th.  The staff and teachers of VDV have worked hard to create meaningful lessons and activities during these important weeks for our students benefit.  Our thanks to “The Ville” for all that you do for our students and school!