{"id":30463,"date":"2025-12-18T13:38:19","date_gmt":"2025-12-18T19:38:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/schools.risd.org\/forestmeadowms\/?p=30463"},"modified":"2025-12-19T11:54:25","modified_gmt":"2025-12-19T17:54:25","slug":"new-year-new-goals-why-every-day-counts-at-forest-meadow","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/schools.risd.org\/forestmeadowms\/new-year-new-goals-why-every-day-counts-at-forest-meadow\/","title":{"rendered":"New Year, New Goals: Why Every Day Counts at Forest Meadow","gt_translate_keys":[{"key":"rendered","format":"text"}]},"content":{"rendered":"\n

As we approach the end of the first semester, it\u2019s a natural time to look back at how far we\u2019ve come. From the classrooms to the athletic fields, our Chargers<\/strong> have tackled new challenges and grown as a community. But as the calendar turns to January, we have a unique opportunity: the chance for a fresh start.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether your attendance was perfect this fall or you hit a few bumps in the road, the new semester is a blank canvas. Here is why making a “New Year\u2019s Resolution” for attendance is the best gift a Charger can give themselves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

1. The Learning Connection: Building the Charger Mindset<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Learning isn’t just about reading a textbook; it\u2019s a sequence. At Forest Meadow, our 6th, 7th, and 8th-grade curriculum is designed to build day-by-day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
  • Don’t Miss the Chain:<\/strong> Think of a lesson like a TV show\u2014if you miss an episode, the season finale won’t make sense. Missing one day can create a “knowledge gap” that makes the next day\u2019s work feel twice as hard.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Academic Success:<\/strong> National studies show that students who attend regularly are significantly more likely to read at grade level and pass their core courses. Consistency is the secret ingredient to a high GPA.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

    2. The Social “Glue”: Staying Connected to the Herd<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Middle school is where your social life happens. When a Charger is absent, they miss out on more than just a lecture; they miss the connection that makes FMMS special.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \n
    • Friendships & Collaboration:<\/strong> Group projects, lunchroom laughs, and elective activities are where bonds are formed. Being present helps you stay “in the loop” with your friends.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Developing Soft Skills:<\/strong> By interacting with teachers and peers daily, you are practicing “emotional intelligence”\u2014learning how to lead, collaborate, and communicate.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

      3. Training for the Future: Chargers are Responsible<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

      One of the biggest things you are learning right now isn’t found in a textbook: it\u2019s responsibility<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        \n
      • The Habit of Consistency:<\/strong> Employers rank “reliability” as one of the top traits they look for. By showing up even when you\u2019re tired, you are training your brain to be disciplined.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • Long-Term Wins:<\/strong> Research by organizations like Attendance Works<\/em> suggests that students with good attendance in 6th\u20138th grade are much more likely to graduate high school and find success in their future careers.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
        \n\n\n\n

        For Parents: Partnering for a Successful New Year<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

        We know that “showing up” is a team effort. At Forest Meadow, parents are our most important partners in helping our Chargers succeed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          \n
        • Establish “School-First” Habits:<\/strong> Try to schedule doctor\u2019s appointments or family trips during school breaks. If an appointment must happen during school hours, encourage your student to attend for part of the day.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        • Monitor the “Digital Sunset”:<\/strong> Blue light from phones can disrupt sleep patterns. Help your Charger set a “digital sunset” where devices are put away 30\u201360 minutes before bed.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        • The “Anxiety vs. Illness” Check:<\/strong> It can be tough to tell the difference between a physical illness and “school avoidance” due to stress. If your child is hesitant to attend, reach out to our FMMS counselors. We are here to help!<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        • Celebrate the Wins:<\/strong> Acknowledge the effort it takes to be consistent. A little praise for being reliable can go a long way in building a student’s confidence.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

          Did You Know?<\/strong> Missing just two days a month adds up to missing 10% of the school year. This is known as “Chronic Absence,” and it can make it much harder for a Charger to keep up with their peers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          \n\n\n\n

          A Fresh Start in January<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

          Our goal for the new semester is simple: We want every Charger to feel missed when they are gone and valued when they are here.<\/strong> Let\u2019s finish this semester with pride and head into the New Year ready to show up, speak up, and lead the way!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          Go Chargers!<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false,"gt_translate_keys":[{"key":"rendered","format":"html"}]},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

          As we approach the end of the first semester, it\u2019s a natural time to look back at how far we\u2019ve come. From the classrooms to the athletic fields, our Chargers have tackled new challenges and grown as a community. But as the calendar turns to January, we have a unique opportunity: the chance for a […]<\/p>\n","protected":false,"gt_translate_keys":[{"key":"rendered","format":"html"}]},"author":315,"featured_media":30559,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_uag_custom_page_level_css":"","site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"set","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[18],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-30463","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news"],"uagb_featured_image_src":{"full":["https:\/\/schools.risd.org\/forestmeadowms\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/72\/2025\/12\/Matters.png",1080,1080,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/schools.risd.org\/forestmeadowms\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/72\/2025\/12\/Matters-150x150.png",150,150,true],"medium":["https:\/\/schools.risd.org\/forestmeadowms\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/72\/2025\/12\/Matters-300x300.png",300,300,true],"medium_large":["https:\/\/schools.risd.org\/forestmeadowms\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/72\/2025\/12\/Matters-768x768.png",768,768,true],"large":["https:\/\/schools.risd.org\/forestmeadowms\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/72\/2025\/12\/Matters-1024x1024.png",1024,1024,true],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/schools.risd.org\/forestmeadowms\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/72\/2025\/12\/Matters.png",1080,1080,false],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/schools.risd.org\/forestmeadowms\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/72\/2025\/12\/Matters.png",1080,1080,false]},"uagb_author_info":{"display_name":"kristymarshall","author_link":"https:\/\/schools.risd.org\/forestmeadowms\/author\/kristymarshall\/"},"uagb_comment_info":0,"uagb_excerpt":"As we approach the end of the first semester, it\u2019s a natural time to look back at how far we\u2019ve come. From the classrooms to the athletic fields, our Chargers have tackled new challenges and grown as a community. 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